Monday, February 6, 2012

THIS MORNING

From 8:00 to 10:00 in STANDING COMMITTEES

House Government Operations will debate HB 304. It says that the year of a voter’s birth can be a public record on voter registration rolls, but the birth month and day should be private to discourage identity theft. 

House Political Subdivisions is looking at

            HB 271, creating a Public School Seismic Safety Committee, and

          HB 318, allowing 4% of Industrial Assistance money in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to be used to promote rural Utah economic development.

            HB 94 would require government to contact private enterprise, do a study and hold a public hearing before engaging in a commercial activity. 

            And HB 105 asks county clerks to speed up removal of deceased voters from registration lists by acting 3 business days after confirmation from the Bureau of Vital Records.

Before House Revenue and Taxation

            Constitutional amendment HJR 12 would exempt the primary residences of Utahns on active military duty from property tax.

          And HB 312 creates corporate and income tax credits for employing veterans who are eligible for unemployment benefits.

Senate and House floor debate will be from 10 to noon and lunch is from 12 to 2.

THIS AFTERNOON in COMMITTEE FROM 2:00 TO 5:00:

House Business and Labor will debate HB 104, which would allow the state to prevent local governments from passing laws that improve air quality by prohibiting drivers from idling their engines.

In Senate Judiciary, Law and Criminal Justice

            SB 146 changes “wife” to “spouse” in divorce statutes, removing language that favors one spouse over the other in property decisions.

            SB 100 creates Self-Help Centers within court law libraries to help court patrons obtain and fill out documents.

            And SB 167 adds Box Elder, San Juan , and Summit Counties to the list of counties that should have Children's Justice Centers.

ALSO IN COMMITTEE MONDAY MORNING

In Senate Education  

            HB 15 requires school districts and charter schools statewide to assess high school student performance using computer adaptive tests aligned with the common core curriculum.  The testing would begin with the 2014-15 school year and appropriates $6.7 million from the Education Fund.

            HB 261 says when a school district divides, both old and new districts should continue to pay some of the same property taxes for 5 years.

            SB 48 would expand the Mission of Public Education by law to include (a) citizen participation in civic and political affairs; (b) economic prosperity for the state by graduating students who are college and career ready;(c) strong moral and social values; and (d) loyalty and commitment to constitutional government.

          The mission would also include high quality instruction; curriculum with high standards and relevance; and effective assessment to inform high quality instruction and accountability.  It would encourage family engagement and adequate preparation so that students enter the public education system ready to learn.

            SCR 5 is a Concurrent Resolution.  It recognizes and supports parental engagement in the education of their children and supports efforts to increase parent engagement.

In Senate Business and Labor

SB 160 adds residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning technicians to the list of state-licensed apprentice construction workers.  This might facilitate building and retrofitting energy efficient homes. 

ALSO IN COMMITTEE MONDAY AFTERNOON

In House Health and Human Services.  

HB 237 changes procedures the Division of Child and Family Services procedures should use when taking a child into protective custody.

HB 308 clarifies parental rights of unmarried biological fathers and mothers, including procedures they must follow regarding adoption

In Senate Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

HB 48 has already passed the House.  It reduces the membership of a group of Utah legislators delegated to participate in the Coalition of Energy Producing States eliminating the requirement that members come from both political parties. The coalition works with Congress and federal agencies to promote fossil fuels.

House Education will discuss HB 285, repealing the Higher Education Tuition Assistance Program. The program costs the Education Fund $36,200.

Sandy Peck
sandypeck@xmission.com