Wednesday, September 15, 2010

THIS MORNING

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE, AND ENVIRONMENT is listening to a variety of views on public land access and use.
They’ll hear from the state Public Lands Policy Coordinator, the Governor’s Balanced Resource Council and other state agencies. 
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management and a spokesperson for Congressman Rob Bishop are also invited.  (Senate 210)

THE HEALTH SYTSTEM REFORM TASK FORCE is looking at how to reduce health care costs by reducing prescription drug use and abuse. 
They’ll be updated on developing Utah ’s health insurance exchange – including when it will begin for all smaller employer groups, a pilot program for large employer groups, and Federal rules.
Federal grants for health care reform and how Utah ’s executive bran is coordinating its response to Federal reforms are also being discussed. (Capitol 250)

REVENUE AND TAXATION is examining a mining equipment sales tax exemption and evaluating how property taxes are assessed and administered.  Senator Adams will propose legislation to equalize public school funding using property taxes and/or the sales tax.The committee will hear a report on taxing refined petroleum and refineries also. (Capitol 445)

THIS AFTERNOON

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS will consider ideas about voter engagement –how to increase turn out by making voter registration and informed voting easier. They’ll also discuss suggestions for improvement from the office of the Lt. Governor and county clerks, who administer elections, to decide whether new laws are needed. (House 30)

THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE will hear about the Education Partnership “Read Today” tool kit that can be used to implement early childhood learning and literacy statewide. They’ll review Voices of Utah Children’s evaluation of how high quality early childhood education impacts educational achievement of at-risk children, decide whether to reauthorize Voluntary Extended-Day Kindergarten, and hear about trends in online learning and internet access. (Capitol 445)

MORE MORNING COMMITTEES

JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT & CRIMINAL JUSTICE will consider annual reports concerning the use of fees paid for concealed firearms permits and how expedited parent-time for divorced families is being enforced.
They’ll also discuss a plan to improve Emergency Medical Services and a bill to establish a $35 fee for a renewal of a judgment. (House 30)

WORKFORCE SERVICES & COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT will hear a proposal from Senator Stephenson regarding community development and renewal agencies tax increments.
The department of workforce services will brief the committee on sharing department information, such as the recent list of clients believed to be undocumented, with government agencies.
Draft legislation “Department of Workforce Services’ Regional Workforce Service Areas Amendments” will be proposed. (Capitol 450)

TRANSPORTATION is looking at three draft bills about railroads and railroad crossings, special group license plates, and responsibility when leaving the scene of an accident.
The use of High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, the use of bicycles and mopeds on the roads, and transit issues will be discussed as well. (House 20)

MORE AFTERNOON COMMITTEES

BUSINESS & LABOR will hear a progress report from their Working Group on worker classification. Then they’ll discuss whether to reauthorize the Utah Uniform Securities Act..
Draft bills about alcoholic beverage control, limited liability companies, partnerships and corporations will be considered. (Senate 210)

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES will discuss whether to renew the Direct-entry Midwife Administrative rules Advisory Committee.
They’ll also be updated on how recent laws are working that require reporting of controlled substance overdoses and convictions for driving under the influence.
Draft legislation will be proposed to regulate billing and payment practices of Pharmacy Benefits insurance managers.
Another draft bill would require Medicaid recipients who are able to do so to perform a certain number of hours of charitable care as a condition of receiving Medicaid benefits. (Capitol 250)

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY will talk about putting overhead utility lines and new lines underground and how to pay for that.
They’ll also hear about additional electrical power connections required by the National Electrical Code.
Rocky Mountain Power will discuss renewable energy programs such as Blue Sky wind power. (House 20)

--Sandy Peck