August 19, 2009
 
(In MORNING COMMITTEES (9:00 -  12:00)


*HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES will be briefed on the status of the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic.  Then they?ll spend the rest of the morning on proposed health reform bills in Congress, their implications for Utah, and whether the Legislature should respond to any provisions in those bills. Public testimony is scheduled.  (Capitol room 250)


*ETHICS will discuss the U.S. House of Representatives? ethics process with Congressman Rob Bishop.  They?ll also hear how the Utah State Bar Ethics Commission?s process works.

Committee counsel will report on the constitutionality of independent ethics commissions (based on a recent Nevada Supreme Court decision) and constitutionality of Utah?s current Legislative Ethics Committee membership, jurisdiction and powers. (Capitol room 450)


*PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY will be briefed on the comparative capacity and efficiency of electric power generated by different fuel sources.  Jason Berry of the State Energy Program will explain incentives in Utah law for generating electricity using different types of fuels.  Then Rocky Mountain Power will talk about creation of a Smart Grid for energy efficiency and demand. And they?ll update the committee on proposed federal energy legislation, including cap and trade.

The different outcomes of climate change found in recent scientific reviews will be discussed with a member of the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Consolidating state Information Technology services to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility and expertise of state agencies will be discussed, too.  (House Building room 20)

BUSINESS AND LABOR will review various insurance issues including health insurance services that are mandated by state law.

         The state Insurance Department will explain their priorities for the upcoming 2010 legislative session. (Senate room 210)

EDUCATION will discuss the New Century and Regents scholarships, which were recently cut, and a study of hazing.

         A sunset of the Public Education Job Enhancement Program, which provides scholarships to teachers for graduate education in the areas of math, science, technology or special education will be considered.

         The committee also will discuss the need for postsecondary education that can prepare students for the current job market.

Proposed legislation by Senator Stephenson would require schools districts in counties of the first class that get property tax revenue for capital outlay equalization to increase the enrollment capacity of some of their school buildings.

The Orderly School Termination Procedures Act, which requires local school boards to have procedures for dismissing employees, including standards of due process, will be reviewed. (Capitol room 445)


GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS will review how $787 billion in federal economic stimulus money is being used, whether strings are attached, and how the state is tracking the money.

         Requests for election law changes from county clerks (mostly technical) are on the agenda.

The Privatization Policy Board will report on their inventory of commercial activities and government activities. Their charge is to classify each service or activity as commercial or inherently governmental.

A related report examines the questions of whether a particular service ? in this case health care services in Duchesne and Uintah Counties?should come from government or from for-profit or non-profit providers in the private sector.  (House Room 30)

(In AFTERNOON COMMITTEES (2:00 to 5:00 p.m.)


*NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT will hear opinions on the Clean Energy and Security Act now before Congress.  Congressman Bishop, the Governor?s office of Economic Development, the Chamber of Commerce, the University College of Law, and the public will weigh in.

The use of federal stimulus funds for Utah?s Energy Program and funding for Utah State Parks and Recreation will be discussed, followed by a Snake Valley Water agreement update from Mike Styler, director of the Department of Natural Resources. (210 Senate Building)


*The HEALTH SYSTEM REFORM TASK FORCE will discuss their Task Force workgroup structure and hear reports from the Oversight and Implementation and the Transparency, Quality and Infrastructure Workgroups.  Then they?ll tackle the status of federal Health Care Reform and its potential impact on Utah reform (Capitol room 250)


REVENUE & TAXATION will hear reports from committee working groups that are studying the property tax, local option transportation sales taxes, and tax penalties.

         Then the Utah State Tax commission will report on Federal income tax changes.

An overview and public comment on a proposed study on a Taxpayer Advocate Program (HB 80) will be followed by discussion of possible future action on communications taxes.

A report on a new law governing low-profit limited liability companies, including existing constitutional and legal property tax provisions, is also scheduled. (Capitol room 445)



TRANSPORTATION will begin with the issue of coordinating public transportation access to hospitals, jobs and recreation for less mobile people.

         Also on the agenda are restrictions on drivers licenses for several classes of motorcycles, drivers licenses for foster children ? how new program is working, and Scenic Byway designation changes (House room 20)



JUDICIARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT & CRIMINAL JUSTICE will hear annual reports from the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice on funds and property yielded by federal asset forfeiture cases and the use of criminal fines and surcharges to fund drug task forces.

         Draft legislation on some criminal offenses and determining the dollar value of criminal damages will be proposed.  Another draft bill would add Soma and Ultram or Ultracet to the schedule of controlled substances.

The committee will also hear a progress report on cooperative federal, state and local agency efforts to curtail gang activity (House room 30)


WORKFORCE SERVICES & COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Reports are scheduled on:

Federal stimulus funding and resources for the Department of Workforce Services

New Eligibility Services Division in the Department

Solvency of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund

Draft legislation ? technical corrections to Building and Construction Projects?

Social Security Offset

Digitization initiatives, projects and vendors

Services provided by the State Office of Rehabilitation, including Vocational Rehabilitation  (Capitol room 450)

For more information, listen to hearings or contact your legislator at Utah's legislative website le.utah.gov/   or visit the League of Women Voters at lwvutah.org/

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters