Wednesday, February 13, 2008

MORNING COMMITTEES

Most fees for public school students in kindergarten through the 6th grade would be prohibited by HB163, being debated this morning in the HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. Course fees for instructional materials and equipment; rental fees for such things as lockers, musical instruments, textbooks, uniforms and parking; and textbook fees all would be banned. But some extracurricular fees would be allowed. A $13 million appropriation would reimburse schools for the lost fee revenue. Also in committee are HB160, which aims to tighten up charter school accountability, and HB325, which prohibits bullying and hazing in schools. School policies would encourage good faith reporting and discourage retaliation for bullying. Under HB363, grants to elementary schools are proposed that would enhance learning and teaching by integrating the arts into the curriculum.

Two immigration bills are far down the SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS list, but they could be considered this morning. SCR5 is a resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urging Utah's congressional delegation to work with Congress to pass effective and meaningful immigration reform to enhance Utah's workforce and business environment. It urges the state to defer legislation related to Utah's workforce until Congress passes immigration reform. SCR5 opposes blanket amnesty but supports increasing the number of immigrant visas allowed. SB97 creates a legislative bipartisan Immigration Task Force to make recommendations by November 30th. It would address federal and state policies governing employer verification of immigrant status, instate tuition, access to public benefits, obtaining a valid driver license or ID card, and state enforcement of federal immigration laws.

THIS AFTERNOON

The HOUSE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE will debate HB156, a bill to require DNA samples from individuals arrested for a felony or assault. HB339 would make human smuggling of illegal aliens for profit or human trafficking for forced labor and sexual exploitation a crime. Penalties would be increased under some conditions, such as death, injury or sexual assault. And HB136 would require Utah's Attorney General to establish a Hotline in his office - a statewide toll-free number to be used to anonymously report illegal drug activity.

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

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY

The Utah tax system is sometimes called a three legged stool because of the balance between property, income, and sales taxes. Yesterday, the HOUSE REVENUE AND TAXATION COMMITTEE considered cutting all three.

HB158 offered to veterans or their estates a 5 percent state income tax credit for military retired pay, a $6 million tax break. HB158 passed unanimously.

HB155 addressed the property tax leg of the stool. It would raise the limit on residential lot size that qualifies for a 45% property tax exemption from 1 acre to 5 acres, if local zoning required the larger lots. The fiscal note on the bill didn't estimate that property tax revenue might be reduced, but did warn that property owners whose zoning doesn't entitle them to the exemption might pay more. The question is whether this shifting of the tax burden would be fair. For this and other reasons the committee amended and "held" the bill.

HB304 would have reduced the sales tax rate on food from 1.75% to 1.0% at a cost of $31 million. Instead the committee approved substitute HB304, which keeps the current rate but dedicates $1 million a year to emergency food agencies. A major rationale for cutting the food tax is to help low income Utahns who spend a larger percentage of their income on food than more affluent taxpayers do. The substitute bill targets relief to the very needy who depend on food pantries. It avoids the $31 million reduction in sales tax revenue, which is needed for other services, such as health care, for low income families-and for roads of course.

SENATE TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY passed SB283, which would give high priority and authorize more funding for highways that are alternative routes during I-15 reconstruction, currently planned for Utah County. The committee also approved HB103, which allows private owners of vehicles powered by compressed natural gas to buy their fuel through the state's fuel network.

SENATE NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT passed SB85, creating a Water Rights Board to make policy for the State Engineer and Division of Water Rights. It's a large board designed to represent many interests: agriculture and livestock, cities and counties, industry, renewable hydroelectric or geothermal energy, fish, wildlife or recreation and instream flow.

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters