Wednesday, July 18, 2007

THIS MORNING

A report on developing nuclear power is first on the PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY agenda (9 am in W015). Public Utilities also will hear a report on the governor’s Western Climate energy initiative, including the agreement with California and the potential impact on local power production, and an explanation of Utah’s renewable energy generation tax credit.

The EDUCATION committee (9 am in W135) will review a legislative audit of the cost of public education for undocumented immigrant children. They’ll also be briefed on high school exit exams that other states require for a high school diploma and hear a Utah Foundation report on ways to address Utah’s teacher shortage.

Public health and prevention issues before the HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Committee (9 am in W020) include making vaccines available to children who lack health insurance and increasing public understanding of sexually transmitted diseases--their probable side effects if left untreated, and availability of local treatment providers. They’ll also discuss how to improve services for individuals with autism and whether government emergency powers to deal with a flu pandemic need to be increased.

The BUSINESS AND LABOR committee (9 am in W125)and spokesmen from business, labor and the Attorney General’s office will discuss how employers can best verify employment eligibility--that is whether employees have the proper ID and Social Security numbers. They are concerned about how to deal with undocumented immigration, identity theft and employer discrimination. The committee will also discuss pay practices in the construction industry and the legal rights of victims of sexual harassment

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (9 to 11am in W025) has before it today a draft bill that makes minor changes in election law deadlines. The bill also requires state and local school board candidates to live in their district for one year before election and though out their terms of office. Other unspecified election issues will be brought up by the Lt. Governor and county clerks also, which may include the issue of sharing costs of the November election. The duties and function of the Governor’s State Planning Coordinator will be discussed.

POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (9 am, W130) is considering unintended consequences of a new law that took away county authority to deny a request for towns to incorporate. The concern, especially in small counties, is that new towns reduce the county’s sales tax revenue. Political Subdivisions will also debate the amount of compensation a property owner should receive when the government takes his or her property by eminent domain and a proposal that local government candidates report their campaign finances electronically.

THIS AFTERNOON

The TRANSPORTATION Committee (2 to 4 pm in W015) will be looking for ways to pay for roads and highways and at the same time encourage Utahns to drive less and reduce congestion. This afternoon they’ll discuss whether the current cents-per-gallon gas tax should be replaced in part with a cent-per-mile-driven charge, a flexible excise tax, or some other funding mechanism. They’ll hear reports on a long-range transportation plan and corridor preservation for future roads also.

A Legislative Audit of the Petroleum Storage Tank Trust Fund, its solvency and whether it should be continued or sunsetted will be considered in NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT (2 pm in W125). The fund was established for remediation of gas tanks that leak and pollute the environment. Also scheduled are a sunset review of the State Water Development Commission and a letter to Utah’s Congressional delegation regarding funding a study of the Basin and Range Carbonate Aquifer. Sharing and preserving such aquifers on the basis of sound scientific information is under discussion between Nevada and Utah.

The REVENUE AND TAXATION Committee (meeting from 2 to 3 pm in W135) will be briefed on transportation taxes by staff and Rep John Dougall. (An earlier agenda specified sales taxes to fund mass transit and reduce air pollution would be discussed, but the revised agenda lacks details.) The committee will also debate how best to apportion the corporate franchise tax to encourage Utah economic development.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (2 pm in W020) will debate correctional officers’ safety, an issue highlighted by the recent shooting of an officer by a prisoner, and warrantless search and seizure of parole violators. The committee will consider draft bills that remove the statue of limitations for prosecution of all first degree felony sex offenses and enhance penalties for felonies involving the discharge of a firearm. A briefing on state agency powers to establish a criminal penalty by rule is also on the agenda.

JUDICIARY (2 pm in W130) will discuss a sunset review of the Administrative Office of the Courts., presumptive personal representative and claims on estates of the deceased issues, and Title 78 Recodification

WORKFORCE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (2 to 4 pm in W025) will discuss economic development incentives and a sunset review of the Enterprise Zone Act.

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