Wednesday, March 5, 2008

THIS MORNING

It's the last day of the 2008 Legislature. It's been fun, but it all ends at midnight. Yesterday legislators paid special attention to money bills, such as SB2 (by Stephenson), an education omnibus bill, approved by the Senate and now on the House board. Legislators are trying something new, putting all education bills and their funding in one big bill.

Some parts have already passed as single bills, but some have passed - or even failed - in only one House without being discussed, which some legislators say undermines the process. Supporters of SB2 like having details of all education programs and their funding in one place. They say if you don't like one part, amend it out. Some Senators tried to amend yesterday but were unable to do so. Now it's the House's turn. On the HOUSE board, Third Substitute SB245 (by Bramble) addresses funding a TRAX line to the airport. It says airport revenue can't be used but sales tax revenue can. This pleases Delta Airlines but not Salt Lake City, which needs $35 million for one mile on city property there. Substitute SB299 (by Bell) allows cities and counties to offer benefits to their employees, including dependents and financially dependent or interdependent adults designated by unmarried adults. It also allows registries like Salt Lake's, provided they don't give legal status to domestic partnerships, civil unions or any cohabitation relationships other than marriage.

SENATORS will consider Second Substitute HB364 (by Holdaway) promoting health care coverage for children in public schools. The State School Board, Health Department and Workforce Services would identify uninsured children and enroll them in CHIP or Medicaid if they qualify. HB364 would also spread the word about Utah's Premium Partnership for Health Insurance, a state subsidy for enrollment of low income families in employers' health plans. Other health related bills in the Senate include HB15 (by Riesen) which requires state and local health departments to provide information about the health consequences of untreated sexually transmitted diseases and available treatment. And HB140 (by Cosgrove) requires drivers of vehicles to protect a child 8 years old or younger by using an appropriate child restraint device.

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

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY

Today is the last day of the legislative session, and yesterday many bills were already flying fast and furiously from House to Senate and back, passing both houses, and heading for the Governor's desk.

The SENATE passed two bills that should put a dent in vehicular pollution and make our air healthier to breathe. Substitute HB 106 (by Rep. McGee) offers a $750 tax credit for buying new vehicles that meet air quality and EPA fuel economy standards, plus a credit of $2,500 for converting a vehicle to clean fuel such as natural gas, propane or electric. It also levies a small tax on alternative fuels to help pay for road and highway maintenance.

Then the SENATE lifted HB146 (by Rep. Johnson), a clean school bus bill, from Senate Rules, brought it to the floor and passed it unanimously. As you know (if you've been listening), HB146 gives $100,000 from the Uniform School Fund to the State Board of Education for a clean school bus purchase or retrofit program. Funds will match grants to local school districts from the federal government or private sources. Each retrofit costs $2,100 to keep emissions out of the bus interior and prevent highly toxic diesel
tailpipe emissions.

The Senate passed 3rd Substitute HB131 (by Representative Seelig), appropriating $175,000 for community based services to help low income individuals get proper health care. It even changed a couple of words to be sure the program could apply for matching federal funds. And it passed 5th Substitute HB164, reversing last year's HB466, so that a few developers won't be able to start their own town without consulting the people who live there. And this was all before lunch!

Meanwhile the HOUSE passed SB297, Animal Torture and Cruelty Amendments, sponsored by Senator Christensen. This bill, in response to considerable public outcry, makes it a third degree felony to intentionally or knowingly torture a companion animal. They approved SB202 (by Senator Bramble) which makes a start on requiring more of our electricity to come from renewable sources if cost effective and exploring the feasibility of carbon dioxide sequestration. And they passed SB180, sponsored by Senator Hillyard, offering $1000 college scholarships to eighth graders who follow tough academic curricula, including English, math, social studies, laboratory science and a foreign language. The funding was a little less than hoped for, $500,000 instead of $50 million, but we think they're on the right track.

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters