Thursday, February 7, 2008

MORNING COMMITTEES

Changes in the law that regulates licensed direct-entry midwives will be debated in the SENATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE today. Senate Bill 93 defines the conditions under which licensed midwives could deliver a baby and care for the newborn. It defines what a normal low risk pregnancy is in terms of the mother's health, and spells out when a physician or transfer to a hospital would be needed. A physician, a certified nurse midwife and a member of the general public would be added to the Licensed Direct Entry Midwife Board.

A related bill, HB38, asks the health department to conduct public education and outreach regarding the risk of using alcohol, tobacco and other substances that are harmful during pregnancy. Directors of the Departments of Human Services and Corrections will make a "Prevention Presentation" to the committee on the subject. SB82, also in Health and Human Services, aims to cut Medicaid costs through competition. The Medicaid program would have to use ambulatory surgical centers that are willing to accept reimbursement at state Medicaid rates. Other providers, such as hospitals, who want to contract with Medicaid also would have to charge Medicaid recipients no more than the Medicaid rate.

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS will consider HB166, which requires the written minutes of open and public meetings to be available to the public by the next meeting, or by 14 days after the meeting, whichever is sooner. The committee also will continue discussion of Substitute House Bill 75, which requires a Privatization Policy Board to publicize and eliminate competition between state agencies and private enterprise.

HOUSE REVENUE AND TAXATION will review Substitute HB351. It proposes a tax credit for health insurance premiums to replace the current tax deduction. The credit would cost the Uniform School Fund $18 million a year and would not be available to low income taxpayers who pay less taxes than the amount of the credit. HB359 would give railroads a sales tax exemption for the fuel they use in their locomotives. That exemption is expected to cost the General Fund $1.9 million.

AFTERNOON

Appropriations Subcommittees meet at 2 p.m. Many of them will be casting final votes on their budget priorities today.

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

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY

House Joint Resolution 10 passed the HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE yesterday. It urges Congress and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management not to designate new Utah wilderness areas called for by a bill currently before Congress — H.R. 1919, the "Hinchey Bill", —without the unanimous support of Utah's Congressional delegation. The delegation does oppose it now.

The Hinchey bill would establish 9 million acres of wilderness in Utah, which the resolution says will cost hundreds of millions in lost revenue and lead to more imported energy from hostile nations with ties to terrorist organizations. HJR10 "reaffirms the Legislature's strong support for continued public access and multiple use regarding public lands."

Legislative resolutions don't really change state law but often send messages that legislators feel strongly about, such as the use of federal lands in Utah. Members of the public commenting in committee included advocates from organizations like the Farm Bureau who want to be sure cattle grazing continues and from energy industries who want oil and gas exploration and development to continue. Environmental advocates were there to testify to the need to preserve wild lands for recreation and future generations.

The contribution that tourism and recreation make to Utah's economy and quality of life is increasing compared to mining and energy development. Global warming has added another reason to move away from developing fossil fuels that might underlie wilderness areas.

Senate Bill 14, which would restrict smoking in a vehicle when a child under 5 years of age is in the car, passed the House Health and Human Services Committee Tuesday. It had already passed the full Senate. Enforcement would be secondary--enforced only if the car was already stopped by law enforcement for some other offense. The maximum fine of $45 could be suspended for persons enrolled in smoking cessation programs. This bill, like a similar one mandating the use of seatbelts, has come up in past sessions. Although these bills seem quite sensible to most people, protecting life and saving health care costs, some of the more libertarian legislators take offense at being deprived of the freedom to kill or injure themselves or others. Ironically SB14 was amended to say that a violation of the smoking prohibition could not be used as evidence of child abuse or neglect.

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters