Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Interim meetings begin at the Legislature today. Interim committees meet monthly from 9 to noon and from 2 to 5 to get a head start on bills for the general session in January. Today, most committees will review bills they passed last session, then decide which issues to focus on for the session.

THIS MORNING

TRANSPORTATION (W025) will discuss the federal REAL ID Act, which beginning this May requires states to issue federally approved driver's licenses or IDs. They will be required to drive, visit a federal building, collect Social Security or other government services, or use a bank or airline. Drivers will need several types of documentation, including proof that they are lawfully in the U.S. and non-P.O. Box addresses.

Legislative staff and the Driver License Division will outline potential impacts of the Act such as cost, risk of identity theft and loss of privacy (all card information will be in a database shared by all state DMVs), verification of document procedures and ID options.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (C415) will hear presentations on the public safety communications system, mentally ill offender issues, and a study of sentencing inflation. They'll discuss a new 192-bed facility in Gunnison, efforts to attract more correctional officers, and how to fund growing medical and transportation costs.

REVENUE AND TAXATION (C445) plans a study of the property tax which that will require 5 extra meetings. An overview of Utah's property tax system will be presented and public comment is invited.

THIS AFTERNOON

In EDUCATION (C445) the State Board discusses implementing SB2, the controversial omnibus appropriations bill just passed, a report on Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and how to restructure schools that do not make adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind. Five extra committee meetings will be scheduled to study performance pay and differential pay.

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY (C415) will consider mapping potential energy development areas in Utah, creating a Renewable Energy Zone Task Force, and a lawsuit blocking uranium mining permits in the area between the Grand Canyon and the Utah border. A lawsuit challenging BLM permits for oil and gas development and a proposal for EPA regulation of carbon dioxide as a pollutant are also scheduled.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (C250) will hear study results and recommendations on the misuse of prescription drugs for pain. Then the departments of Health, Human Services and Insurance will be asked to recommend studies needed this year.

POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (W020) will be briefed on Vision Dixie, a plan developed by residents of Washington County, with the help of Envision Utah, to accommodate population growth, protect the environment, enhance economic strength and maintain quality of life.

And TOMORROW at 8 a.m. (W020) the Health System Reform Task Force will have its first meeting.

Contact your legislator and listen to interim committees at le.utah.gov.

ALL MORNING COMMITTEES

TRANSPORTATION (W025) Discuss 2008 General Session HB147, "Restrictions on Regulation of Automotive Collection Activities." The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of State recently released final rules for implementing the REAL ID Act of 2005 (Act) and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (Initiative). The Committee will receive an update from staff and the Driver License Division on the potential impacts of the Act and identification options under the Initiative.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (C415) The committee will share preferences for interim study and review bills and studies passed last session. They'll hear presentations on public safety communications, mentally ill offender issues being studied by the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, a study of sentencing inflation done by the Utah Criminal Justice Center at the University of Utah, and Department of Corrections plans to open a new 192-bed facility in Gunnison and their efforts to attract correctional officers and fund growing medical and transportation costs.

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT (W020) will consider recodification of Department of Natural Resources law and sunset review of the Air Conservation laws that govern air quality. They'll hear a snowpack and water resources report and consider which issues should be on their agenda for future meetings.

WORKFORCE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (C250) will be briefed on identity theft charges filed against a former DWS employee and discuss legislation passed in the 2008 session that had not been discussed in the 2007 interim. They'll hear suggestions for study from the departments of Community and Culture and Workforce Services and from the Governor's Office of Economic development.

JUDICIARY (C450) will consider the legal and social issues of WiFi in Utah and hear from the Condominium and Community Association before reviewing some reports and sunset reviews, the discussing studies proposed in the Master Study Resolution.

REVENUE AND TAXATION (C445) will review assigned studies, including a study of the property tax, which will require 5 extra meetings, and hear an overview of Utah's property tax system. Public comment is invited.

ALL AFTERNOON COMMITTEES

BUSINESS AND LABOR (W025) will decide which items from the Master Study Resolution to study and may consider some not in the resolution. Public comment is invited.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (C250) will hear the results of a 2-year study on the use and misuse of prescription drugs for pain. The study provided education on proper chronic pain management and was asked to make recommendations to the Legislature on needed legislation. The committee will discuss Death Certificate Procedures (S.B. 175) and suggestions for study from the departments of Health, Human Services and Insurance before adjourning at 4:00

POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (W020) Before reviewing study items, the committee will be briefed on Vision Dixie, a plan developed by residents of St. George and Washington County with the help of Envision Utah. The goals of the plan are to accommodate population growth, protect the environment, enhance economic strength and maintain quality of life.

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (C450) will get a progress report on the Utah Public Notice Website. Beginning October 1st all public bodies must provide notice of their meetings on that website, which is run by the Division of Archives and Records Services. Its appearance, training needs and costs will be discussed. The committee will also hear an update on state office space needs and building projects, and they'll review bills passed and interim study items.

EDUCATION (C445) will schedule five extra meetings to study performance pay and differential pay. The committee will also meet on July 10-11 in Cedar City with public and higher education appropriations subcommittees and with state Boards of Education and Regents. Today representatives of the State Board will discuss plans to implement SB2, the controversial omnibus appropriations bill just passed. The committee will hear an overview of issues at Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and discuss how to restructure schools that do not make adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind.

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY (C415) After a 2008 session wrap-up and a survey of preferences for interim study issues, the committee will hear about mapping potential energy development areas in Utah, creating a Renewable Energy Zone Task Force in the executive branch, and a lawsuit that is blocking uranium mining permits in the area between the Grand Canyon and Utah border. A lawsuit challenging BLM permits for oil and gas development and a proposal that EPA regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant are also scheduled.

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters