Wednesday, June 20, 2007

This month legislators are discussing energy, education, quality growth, child care for working mothers and driver licenses for elderly drivers.

THIS MORNING

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY (9 am in W015) is concentrating on energy alternatives, including nuclear power use and new technology for nuclear power generation. The Governor's Energy Policy Advisor will report on the governor's energy initiative, including the recent agreement with California. Using the state's tax credit for renewable energy generation and Rocky Mountain Power's renewable energy portfolio of diversified fuels will be up for discussion and committee action.

In EDUCATION (9 am in W135) two representatives from the Attorney General's Office are discussing their duty and authority to give legal advice to state agencies, including the State Board of Education. The State Board will report on a pilot plan to use 22 hours of the school term for professional development for instructional staff. And the Center for the School of the Future at Utah State University wants to talk about a survey they have developed to measure parent, teacher, and student perceptions of school characteristics that correlate with academic achievement.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (9 am in W020) is considering a bill to increase the availability of health insurance coverage for surgical procedures used to treat morbid obesity.

POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS ( 9 am, W130) is being briefed on Envision Utah's Quality Growth Strategy to help preserve critical lands, promote water conservation and clean air, improve our region-wide transportation systems, and provide housing options for residents. Requiring local government candidates to submit their campaign financial reports electronically is on their agenda., too.

BUSINESS AND LABOR (9 am in W125) will hear a report from the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. The center will make recommendations for improving workplace health and safety as well as economic growth and development in Utah and the region.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (9 to 11am in W025) will hear an update on restoration of the State Capitol, which began in March 2002, and is expected to be completed in January. Public open house events will be scheduled for December and the employee parking structure east of the Capitol is scheduled to be completed by then. The committee will also hear reports from state ombudsmen. Utah has four ombudsmen. They help citizens resolve disputes with state agencies in the areas of property rights, long term care, child protection and obscenity and pornography complaints. The Committee will also decide what to do about a bond for a veterans nursing home in Ogden that has been held up for years because federal funds for the project have not been authorized.

THIS AFTERNOON

WORKFORCE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (2 to 4 pm in

W025) will discuss an economic development incentives bill, hardship extensions for public assistance recipients in the Family Employment Program, public assistance provided through the Department of Community and Culture, and child care access for working mothers.

The TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (2 to 4 pm in W015) will talk about state versus local jurisdiction over highways, discuss UDOT's long-range transportation plans for rural and small urban areas, and evaluate the B & C Road Fund formula. They'll also address the issue of whether driver license policy for elderly drivers should be changed.

The agenda for REVENUE AND TAXATION (meeting from 2 to 3 pm in W135) is a short one. It includes legislation to implement the new flat tax law, and a discussion of revenue from fees imposed by the Department of Commerce

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT (2 pm in W125) will hear a State Energy Advisor Report and discuss Nonprofit Water Companies. Then they'll take a virtual tour of state river systems and water development projects and discuss Beryl / Enterprise Groundwater Management.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (2 pm in W020) will debate the importance of treatment for victims and perpetrators of sexual assault, including funding issues. Draft legislation in the areas of parole, controlled substances and disclosure of identity to an officer will be considered.

JUDICIARY (2 pm in W130) will discuss custody in cases of sexual offense exoneration and innocence assistance, presumptive personal representative issues, and a sunset review of the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Sandy Peck

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