Wednesday, June 18, 2008

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.

THIS MORNING

Again this month, the TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (W025) will discuss mitigating congestion in highway construction zones and the REAL ID national driver's license, its potential effectiveness and how it might affect law enforcement in Utah. They'll also discuss the condition and preservation of state highways and bridges.

NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT (W020) will consider a proposal for an energy development conference; oil, gas and mining development; energy development technologies and clean coal technologies. Successful re-vegetation of surface coal mines is also on the agenda.

WORKFORCE SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (C250) will hear updates on identity theft and the new Refugee Services Office. State economic development officials will report on affordable housing for Utah workers and how to train Utah workers to fill available jobs.

THIS AFTERNOON

POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (W020) will devote this month's meeting to affordable housing, including an inventory of how much exists and where, programs that address the problem, the cost of land use and construction regulations, manufactured and mobile home park preservation, and zoning issues. The last hour, 4-5 p.m. will be reserved for public comment.

EDUCATION (C445) will hear reports on how students perform on the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test and on USTAR, a program that recruits university researchers to create novel technologies that can be used by new businesses. Mathematics education, including a briefing on Singapore Math, will be discussed. And the Utah Foundation will review its report comparing education spending and services in Utah and in five other states with similar demographics.

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY (C415) will hear about community impacts of selecting utility transmission corridors and about state, local and federal laws that govern the selection process. An update on the Western Climate Initiative is scheduled - including cap and trade system goals for reducing carbon emissions in the western U.S. and Canada.

OTHER MORNING COMMITTEES

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (C415 ) will discuss holding undocumented immigrants in Utah prisons before releasing them to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The committee will also consider rules for training police dogs to detect illegal drugs, and examine the cost and background check information needed for a growing number of out-of-state concealed weapon permit applications.

JUDICIARY (C450) has been canceled

REVENUE AND TAXATION (C445) is continuing their study of the property tax. They'll hear about the effect on taxes and revenue of measures such as California's Proposition 13 and Acquisition Value Based Property Assessment, which cap or limit tax rates on properties until the properties are sold.

OTHER AFTERNOON COMMITTEES

BUSINESS AND LABOR (W025) will hear from the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Utah. They make recommendations every year on ways to improve workplace health and safety and contribute to economic growth. Helmets to Hardhats, a program that provides military personnel with training and employment in the construction industry, approved apprenticeship programs, and reinsurance as a risk management tool will be discussed also

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (C450) will get a progress report on State Capital Complex construction and renovation projects and plans. A number of technical and administrative election law changes will be recommended by the office of the Lieutenant Governor. Per diem allowances for state government officials' attendance at meetings will be examined and the Office of State Debt Collection will report.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (C250) will consider a proposal to develop community-based pediatric mental health services instead of replacing the Utah State Hospital Building now used for these services. Disparities in health care access, treatment and outcomes across population subgroups, such as racial and ethnic minorities, will be reviewed, along with what is being done to address those disparities.

TOMORROW

The IMMIGRATION INTERIM COMMITTEE will meet at Utah State University at the Eccles Science Learning Center at 5:30. They'll compare state immigration laws and hear perspectives from the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake, the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, ethnic communities and the business community.

The HEALTH SYSTEM REFORM TASK FORCE (C250) discusses health insurance reform from the point of view of Utah businesses, explores ways to get the most out of public programs like Medicaid, and considers ways to increase transparency of health insurance plans.

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

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters