Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Interim study committees meet from 9 to noon and 2 to 5 on Capitol Hill today.
 
THIS MORNING

JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT & CRIMINAL JUSTICE (House 30) has a controversial immigration enforcement bill
at the end of their agenda. A report from the Attorney General on a Multi-agency Strike Force aimed at illegal immigration
and human trafficking felonies will be presented also, along with reports on alimony, property forfeiture in drug cases, and
drug law enforcement operation funding. (House 30)

WORKFORCE SERVICES & COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT will be briefed on solvency of the Unemployment
Insurance Trust Fund and discuss a food stamp rule change.  The change has resulted in 2200 mixed immigration status
families receiving less food and increased food pantry demand. Also on the agenda are motion picture production tax credits
and enterprise zone legislation. (Capitol 450)

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT will discuss carbon sequestration space and liability, oil shale
and tar sands development, and energy education funding.  The State Energy Program will report on how they are using
federal stimulus funds.  (Senate 210)

THIS AFTERNOON

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS is discussing who, other than the County Clerk,
might most efficiently administer the many elections for federal, state, county, municipal, school district and
local district offices.  Then a new online voter registration system will be demonstrated to the committee.  
They’ll consider reports on which government services should be privatized and how well the state’s 4 10-hour day work week
is working, too. (House 30)

The EDUCATION COMMITTEE will see a demonstration of online learning and discuss its benefits and limitations.  
They’ll discuss a pilot program to assess student career and college readiness using computer adaptive testing and the ACT.
Reauthorization of the State Instructional Materials Commission, eligibility of transfer students to participate in interscholastic
sports, and allowing children of military personnel to be considered residents and pay lower college tuition are also on the agenda.
(Capitol 445)

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY will hear Rocky Mountain Power and Questar discuss their conservation programs.
They’ll also learn about Net Neutrality, which says that internet service providers should provide equal access to
Internet equipment, content and types of communication for all customers. (House 20)



MORE MORNING COMMITTEES
 The HEALTH SYSTEM REFORM TASK FORCE will hear a report on the federally required high risk pool for people with
pre-existing health conditions.  The Cost Containment Workgroup and the Oversight Workgroup, which coordinates state
and federal reforms, will report.  The new health insurance exchange director Matt Spencer will updatae the committee
on helping employees select health plans, funding to develop the exchange and risk adjustment issues.  
HealthInsight will discuss their demonstration projects that aim to reform the way health services are paid for and delivered.
Funding health information technology is also on the agenda. (Capitol 250)

REVENUE AND TAXATION will continue its discussion of the use of tax revenue for public schools.
Then a bill will be proposed addressing the way the Tax Commission collects taxes, fees and administrative charges.
The committee also will discuss a data match process that uses income tax data to determine who is eligible for
Medicaid and CHIP services. (Capitol 445)

TRANSPORTATION will get a coordinated human service transportation update from Wasatch Front Regional Council.
They will discuss the Utah Transit Authority’s plans for economic development near transit rights-of-way and stations,
and the impacts of allowing foster parents to sign for foster children to receive driver’s licenses.  
How to fund the maintenance of transportation infrastructure will also be considered. (House 20)
 
MORE AFTERNOON COMMITTEES
 
BUSINESS & LABOR’s agenda includes a progress report from a working group on worker classification;
sunset reviews of the assessment on Title Insurance Agencies or Title Insurers and the Utah Uniform Securities Act;
draft amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, and a discussion of the structure and organization of
Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships and Corporations.(Senate 210)

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES will consider measures to restrict flavored tobacco and other nicotine products, then debate the meaning of the term “liberally construed” used in department rules.
The committee also will be briefed on the problem of reporting hospital-acquired infections and reducing their number.
(Capitol 250)


 
 
Sandy Peck