Wednesday, June 15, 2011

THIS MORNING

The HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE and state Health Department are drafting a Medicaid waiver request, due July 1 to federal officials.  It asks permission to organize providers into Accountable Care Organizations--which would have to improve health care quality while lowering health care expenditures. Some advocates worry that the proposal increases costs to patients yet lacks quality standards and coverage of medically necessary services. (House 20)

BUSINESS AND LABOR is considering possible energy efficiency building code amendments from Senator Bramble, trustee sales notices on foreclosed homes, and three alcoholic beverage control matters--including the recent $300,000 loss from a package agency.  (Senate 210)

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY is discussing possible federal funding changes for the Universal Service Fund, which pays for rural telephone infrastructure.  Then they’ll address plans to develop service stations statewide for natural gas vehicles and discuss where to put electrical and natural gas transmission lines. (House 25)

THIS AFTERNOON

WORKFORCE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT will address Unemployment Insurance Fund solvency and reforms.  Reauthorization of the Displaced Homemaker Program, for homemakers forced to enter the job market, and licensing of public, in addition to private, child care providers will be discussed. (House 20)

Cost containment will occupy the HEALTH SYSTEM REFORM TASK FORCE.  They’ll consider 15 strategies from the National Conference of State Legislatures and Utah’s insurance exchange database role in helping insurance buyers make informed decisions. (Capitol 450)


MORE MORNING COMMITTEES

The EDUCATION COMMITTEE is reviewing education of prisoners in correctional facilities.  

They’ll hear reports on how the Statewide Online Education Program that passed last session (SB 65) is being implemented, then consider legislation requiring school districts and charter schools to administer college and career readiness assessments.

Another proposed bill would require districts and charter schools to administer computer adaptive tests aligned with the new common core standards for English language arts and math, beginning in the school year 2014-15. (Capitol 445)
 
 

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS is considering legislation to classify year of birth as public on a voter registration record, but classify birth month and day as private.
 

They’ll hear State agency heads comment on a bill requiring state agencies that receive federal funds to plan how they’d operate if federal funds were reduced.

A study of the usefulness of various state boards and commissions will be proposed, too. (House 30)



MORE AFTERNOON COMMITTEES

TRANSPORTATION will discuss a recent audit of the Department of Transportation, particularly the Utah County Expansion Project.  

Proposed additions and deletions from the highway system and progress on current projects will be reported.  

An examination of driver licenses and their use as i.d. is also scheduled. (House 25)

REVENUE AND TAXATION plans to discuss recycling zone tax credits, tax exemptions for coal-to-liquids, oil shale and tar sands and Representative Harper’s streamlined sales tax update (Capitol 445)

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT will hear reports on air quality, solid and hazardous waste fees, and proposed federal land use legislation. (Senate 210)

JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE will consider updates about current Department of Corrections issues, including reducing recidivism in Utah prisons, prison emergency release, involuntary civil commitment, sex offender registry amendments, and released prisoner identification. (House 30)
 

Sandy Peck
sandypeck@xmission.com