October 21 , 2009

In MORNING COMMITTEES

Committees meet 9 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m.

This morning PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY (8:30 a.m.) considers an 80-turbine wind farm proposed for Milford County and compressed air technology that can provide energy from wind farms when the wind isn’t blowing. Nucor Steel will estimate the impact of a carbon tax on its ability to compete in the world market. A proposed hydro-gasification plant in southern Utah that allows organic matter to be converted to oil, gas, gasoline, or diesel will be discussed, too.

At 10:25 two points of view on impacts of climate change and the reliability of current scientific data will be heard. Scientists James Steenburgh and Roy Spencer will report. (House room 20)

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS will discuss how Utah is encouraging participation the 2010 Census. They’ll look at the Impact Fees Act, under which new residential units and businesses pay fees for public facilities needed to service them, and discuss whether fees should be changed or even prohibited.

The committee will discuss single-bid contracts for design/build projects and how to price property the government acquires by eminent domain. They’ll hear whether or not the state’s four-day work week is saving money, increasing productivity and satisfying employees and customers. They’ll also discuss what level of reporting on campaign contributions and spending is needed for transparency to the public. (House room 30)

AFTERNOON COMMITTEES

The HEALTH SYSTEM REFORM TASK FORCE will be updated by health care quality organization HealthInsight on payment and delivery reform demonstration projects. Reports will be heard on medical records retrieval and delivery from MediConnect Global, and the new state health insurance exchange from the Office of Consumer Health Services. Also on the agenda are a Midvale community wellness report and draft legislation to cover prosthetic devices and to simplify administration of health insurance coverage for employees of state contractors. (Capitol room 250)

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT will be updated on H.R. 1925 – America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2009 now before Congress- and a state Water Rights Study. Draft bills on Groundwater Recharge and Recovery and Water Storage Projects will be considered. The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce will discuss their Energy Resources Policy, and the Governor’s Energy Advisor will present a report and legislative review of state energy policy. Also on the agenda are Wildland Fire policy, oil and gas leasing, and Uintah Basin air quality. (Senate room 210)

For more information, to listen to committee hearings, or contact your legislator go to Utah's legislative website le.utah.gov/.

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OTHER MORNING COMMITTEES

EDUCATION will continue to consider legislation to modify U-PASS, the performance assessment program for Utah students. Online adaptive testing and writing assessments and college readiness assessments have been proposed. They’ll also discuss proposed legislation regarding dividing school districts, financing education with the property tax, and higher education scholarships.

Annual reports on Regents Scholarships, Career and Technical Education, Extended-Day Kindergarten and the High-Ability Student Initiative will be presented. (Capitol room 445)

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (8:00 a.m.) will review HB 224, the Abusive Work Environment Prohibition Act, consider Medicaid reimbursement to ambulatory surgery centers, and consider policies to encourage organ donations. Then they’ll hear additional data on the effectiveness of abstinence-based and other approaches to sex education in public schools. A two-track system similar to North Carolina’s has been proposed by Rep Hemingway. One track would be limited to an abstinence-only approach. The other track would provide additional information. Each track would require parental consent. (Capitol room 250)

The interim ETHICS COMMITTEE will discuss the Legislature’s current ethics committees, including how House Ethics Committee members are chosen, then consider an outline of proposed legislation on ethics committee procedures. (Capitol Room 450)

BUSINESS AND LABOR is considering state construction and fire code changes today. They will also discuss Alcohol Beverage Control licenses, legislation related to health and life insurance, anesthesiologist licensing, workplace alcohol and drug testing and sunsetting offsets for occupational health and safety donations. (Senate room 210)

OTHER AFTERNOON COMMITTEES

REVENUE AND TAXATION After annual reports on low income housing tax credits, the Enterprise Zone Act and county property tax roll information maintenance, working group reports will be heard on property tax, local option transportation sales tax and tax penalties and tax credit apportionment.

The Utah Tax Review Commission will discuss their work, including a draft bill amending the corporate franchise tax and the income tax.

Legislation will be proposed on the definition of tangible personal property for taxing purposes, funding local health authorities, a new income tax check-off for methamphetamine housing and rehabilitation, tax credits for research, the definition of “state resident” for income tax purposes, amendments to income tax filing requirements, and sales tax amendments.

JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE will hear reports on DUI sentencing and measuring its effect on recidivism, on maximum amounts for small claims action, court dispute resolution programs, current incarceration rates for housing inmates in county jails, and using video conferencing for Board of Pardons hearings.

Legislation will be proposed to prohibit using a cell phone in a moving vehicle, to coordinate health and dental insurance benefits for prison inmates, to regulate expungement of criminal records, limit claims under the Post-Conviction Remedies Act, and regulate transfer of cases concerning a child from Justice Courts to Juvenile Court. A report on dating violence is also scheduled.

In TRANSPORTATION improving motor carrier safety and an annual evaluation of DUI offenses and programs that could reduce them will be discussed. An evaluation of raising the speed limit to 80 miles per hour on limited sections of I-15 in southern Utah will be heard and awarding design-build transportation contracts to a single bidder, plans under consideration for state highway system changes, and management plans for proposed scenic byways will also be discussed.

WORKFORCE SERVICES & COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT will look at draft legislation on how much Unemployment Insurance benefits should be offset by Social Security benefits, then hear remarks from Spencer Eccles, the new Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Restructuring of the Department of Workforce Services, efficiency initiatives, and a draft bill regarding cash assistance to single minor parents will also be discussed.

For more information, watch, listen in, or contact your legislator at Utah's legislative website le.utah.gov/   or visit the League of Women Voters at lwvutah.org/

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters