Friday, February 1, 2008

MORNING COMMITTEES

This morning HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS is considering HB309, which would improve the communication of election information to voters in three or four ways. (1) Election results would be published on a county's website as well as in newspapers. (2) The Voter Information Pamphlet that's put out by the state before an election would be mailed to each household in the state instead of being distributed only by newspapers, which don't reach everyone. And often the voter information pamphlet gets lost among stack of ads in the paper. It would be mailed not more than 40 or less than 15 days before voting begins (including early voting). (3) For a referendum election (such as the voucher referendum), the Voter Information Pamphlet would have to include an actual copy of the law being submitted to voters.

HOUSE REVENUE AND TAXATION will review HB54, which requires large county tax assessors to update property values annually. Property owners complain of sticker shock when reappraisal is done only every 5 years.

The HOUSE RETIREMENT COMMITTEE meets at noon. HB96 would allow retired teachers to go back to work in the same school district after 60 days instead of having to wait 6 months.

ON THE HOUSE and SENATE FLOOR AT 10 a.m.

One bill scheduled to be voted on by the full House today is HB106, providing a $1,000 tax credit for new vehicles meeting air quality and EPA fuel economy guidelines and a credit of $2,500 for converting a vehicle to run on clean fuel such as natural gas.

On the Senate floor, three enhanced teacher pay bills are circled but up for final passage: SB35, SB39, and SB41

IN THE AFTERNOON

HOUSE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES will consider HB326, which requires the Department of Health to keep enrollment in CHIP the Children's Health Insurance Program open for all eligible children. Enrollment is currently open, but in past years has been open only part of the year due to insufficient funding, leaving thousands of eligible children uncovered. Opening enrollment will cost the state $2.8 million this year matched by $8 million from the federal government.

For more information, visit your legislature — in person or online at www.le.utah.gov

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY

The HOUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT/CRIMINAL JUSTICE passed HB239, which would expire all driving privilege cards on December 31, 2008 and prohibit the Driver License Division from issuing any more. The vote was 6-3 with Republicans voting for the expiration and Democrats against. HOUSE JUDICIARY passed SB16 would allow a person convicted and imprisoned for a felony to ask the Attorney General for a new hearing when new evidence, including DNA evidence, is discovered. Under the bill, free counsel could be appointed and a person found innocent by clear and convincing evidence would receive financial assistance equivalent to the average annual Utah wage for each year of imprisonment for up to 15 years. The vote was unanimous at 10-0 with three absent.

SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS passed Senate Joint Resolution 5, an amendment to a section of the Utah Constitution concerned with changing the boundaries of legislative districts after the U.S. census is taken every 10 years. The amendment would clarify the timing of redistricting. It says that the Legislature should redraw those boundaries no later than the annual general legislative session after the Legislature receives the results of the census. Constitutional amendments must pass both House and Senate by two-thirds, then go to a vote of the people.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS also passed two bills designed to give rural Utah a greater voice in state government. Senate Joint Resolution 6 encourages Governor Huntsman to consider statewide geographic balance when making appointments to committees, boards and commissions in order to represent the unique needs and perspectives of all Utah citizens. Along the same lines, SB158 would increase the membership of the governor's Rural Partnership Board by including rural representatives of agriculture and the travel industry, and a representative of rural utilities.

Both bills were sponsored by Senator Dennis Stowell, who represents southern Utah. He is also working on a bill that would establish a Task Force to identify potential renewable energy generation areas and facilitate renewable energy development. This could benefit rural Utah, too.

The HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE yesterday killed HB130 sponsored by Rep. Roz McGee. The bill proposes an independent ethics commission bill that would allow citizens to file complaints against legislators, the governor,
attorney general and other elected state officials. Currently it takes complaints from 3 legislators for an investigation of a fellow legislator to go forward.

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters