November 18, 2009

Today interim committees have their final meetings before the general session next January.
(In MORNING COMMITTEES 9:00 to Noon)

Paying for public education is the subject of draft legislation before the EDUCATION committee. Changes in financing, school property tax equalization, higher education scholarships, and school district employee career status requirements are proposed. Scenarios will be discussed for freezing a minimum basic statewide property tax levy and setting local levies, equalization, and enrollment capacity rules.

Reports are scheduled on Grades 4 to 6 math improvement; engineering and computer science; financial and economic literacy education; school discipline; the Sorenson K-6 elementary arts initiative; Schools for the Deaf and Blind; and school readiness of preschool children. (Capitol Room 445)

The ETHICS committee will consider Ethics Legislation in Capitol room 450. No specifics were posted as of last night, however.

In PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY proposed legislation would add methane from coal mines to Utah’s renewable energy source definition; develop renewable energy on state school and institutional trust lands; use school LAND trust Program money to establish renewable energy systems units in science curricula; and address Internet security issues including phishing and spyware.

Up for discussion are compressed air as a renewable energy source; electric power issues affecting large industrial and commercial customers; using demand-side energy management to meet electric energy needs; and adding solar energy to coal-based electricity plants to increase plant efficiency. (House room 20)

(In AFTERNOON COMMITTEES 2:00 to 5:00 PM)

This afternoon the HEALTH SYSTEM REFORM TASK FORCE discusses the Utah Health Insurance Exchange and Utah’s Pharmaceutical Assistance Program. One proposed bill would set uniform electronic standards for health insurance claims processing, eligibility and coordination of benefits. Other bills would modify coverage for employees of companies that do contract work for the state and revise the state’s health insurance market. (Capitol Room 250)

REVENUE AND TAXATION is considering allowing property sales price information disclosure only to the Multicounty Appraisal Trust, county assessors and the State Tax Commission-- and disallowing GRAMA disclosure. Proposed Constitutional amendments would increase the property tax exemption for water facilities and prohibit taxes on the sale, transfer or financing of real property. A new Local Option Sales and Use Tax for public transportation will be discussed, too.

(Capitol room 445)

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MORE MORNING COMMITTEES

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (adjourn 11:10) (House room 30)

-Draft Bills:

Modifying per diem and travel expenses for state policy board members

Clarifying that a vote “for” on a referendum means the voter favors allowing the law to take effect and “against” means the voter is against the law taking effect

Making technical election law changes, e.g. in appointment of Lt. Governor, voter ID rules

Requiring campaign expenditures by a corporation or Political Issue Committee to be reported as of five days instead of three days before the filing date (may not be on agenda)

Adding information that must be in a notary public certificate

Changing the level of detail and explanation required for submitting amended campaign finance reports after the filing deadline

Prohibiting an elected municipal officer from being appointed to a paid, appointed position in the municipality.

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES (begins at 8:00)

- How to define a controlled substance

- Draft bills:

- - Changing education requirements for licensing clinical and certified social workers and social service workers

- - Amending criminal homicide and abortion sections of the Utah Criminal Code

- - Requiring reports to the prescribers of drugs of (a) prescription drug overdoses from hospitals and (b) convictions of driving under the influence of controlled substance prescription drugs from courts

- - Requiring those licensed to prescribe drugs to use the Controlled Substance Database, and pass a test on how to use it

- - Using the same definitions of “prescribe,” “prescription drug,” and “overdose” in several sections of the code, including pharmacy, osteopathic and naturopathic practice.

- - Reviewing how state medical and dental clinics fit in the safety net for the uninsured and undersinsured

- - Regarding counterfeit controlled substances

- Briefing: marketing and use of new smokeless tobacco products

- (Capitol Room 250)

 

BUSINESS & LABOR

Report from the Health System Reform Task Force

Draft Bills:

Modify various insurance provisions, including health insurance – 102 page bill

Change payday lending rules, including limiting rollovers to 10 weeks, providing an extended payment plan option and not contacting borrowers at their place of employment

Require random drug and alcohol testing in State Construction contracts

Provide for licensing of elevator contractors and mechanics

Modify licensure and prohibited conduct for foreclosure rescue and loan modification assistance providers

Construction and Fire Code Amendments

State Fire Code Adoption

MORE AFTERNOON COMMITTEES

JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT & CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Required annual reports:

-Drug Offender Reform Act (DORA) from the Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council and Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice

-Sex offender treatment

-Dating violence

-Post-Conviction Remedies Act limitation

Draft bills:

Clarifying limits on claims for relief under the Post-Conviction Remedies Act with an exception for ineffective counsel

Allowing justice court judge to transfer a matter concerning a child to juvenile court if in the child’s best interest

Providing graduated penalties for committing a violent criminal offence in the presence of a child younger than 14

Allowing criminal background checks for car dealer and sales person licenses

Procedures and conditions under which an expungement may be granted by the court

Joint resolution on combating and reducing gang activity (Robles)

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT

Reports:

- Public Lands Policy Coordination Office activities and expenditure

- State Energy Program renewable energy model ordinances

Draft Bills:

Compensation for livestock damage by a wolf allowed except in areas where wolves are endangered or threatened (Brown)

Water Companies and Water Right Change Requests (Painter)

Water Right Change Application Amendments (State Engineer limits) (Painter)

Utah Generated Renewable Energy Electricity Network Authority Board to include the

Director of the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (Gibson)

Allowing exceptions to the Wildlife Licenses, Certificates or Permit refund prohibition to include future rules made by the Wildlife Board (Gibson)

Allowing the creation of a local district to develop and execute a groundwater management plan in cooperation with the State Engineer (Stowell)

Allowing .75% of Land Exchange Distribution Account money to go to the Geological Survey for test wells and hydrologic studies in the West Desert instead of to the Permanent Community Impact Fund through July 1, 2020 (Stowell)

Joint Resolution supporting construction of a Heritage Center highlighting the Hole-in-the-rock colonizing expedition in Escalante in 1879-80

Providing that Utah-made firearms-related items made for in-state use are not subject to federal firearms laws and regulations, including registration (Dayton)

 

TRANSPORTATION

Draft bills:

Motor Vehicle Act Amendments (re registration and county emissions fees)

Allows vehicles with veterans’ special group license plates and eligible for clean fuel special group license to travel in HOV lane regardless of number of occupants

Extends sunset for design-Build contract award authorization

Allows safety flags required for Off-Highway Vehicles to be attached to the vehicle operator instead of the vehicle on certain sand dunes

Updates:

REAL ID act (driver licenses)

Compressed natural gas vehicles

WORKFORCE SERVICES & COMMUNITY& ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Adjourn 3:25)

Draft Bills:

Department of Community and Culture Grants Amendments

Economic Development Incentives Amendments

Amendments to Programs for People with Disabilities

Presentation:

Representatives of the Governor’s Rural Partnership Board

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters