Wednesday, September 17, 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

The NATURAL RESOURCES, AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (W020) will consider possible consequences of sharing Snake Valley groundwater with Nevada. The Great Basin Water Network, Snake Valley Citizens Alliance and Physicians for a Healthy Environment will testify. Also on the agenda are the cost of protecting endangered species, draft legislation regarding water rights applications and water rights adjudication, and natural gas
development on the West Tavaputs Plateau.

Youth issues will be the focus in JUDICIARY. Juvenile sex offender treatment, harboring a runaway, and material harmful to minors will be discussed, along with updates on Utah's mandatory education for divorcing parents, expedited parent-time and dispute resolution programs. (C450)

TRANSPORTATION (W025) will hear about improvements needed for major East-West roads in first and second class counties. The Department of Transportation will present a priority list of projects needed to expand state transportation capacity. Also on the agenda are a bill to bring trucks into compliance with federal safety regulations, size and weight requirements, and a discussion of converting vehicles to alternative fuels.

OTHER MORNING COMMITTEES

REVENUE AND TAXATION (C445) has been studying the property tax this summer. Today proposed bills on certified tax rates and the personal property tax will be presented. The committee staff will report on who pays property taxes, changes in assessed valuations and non-elected boards that impose property taxes. Then proposed legislation on higher education tuition credits will be discussed by Rep Dougall.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (C415 ) is looking at what it would cost for various justice agencies to be able to share complete and accurate information. They're also considering a bill that sets out penalties for intentionally exposing children or vulnerable adults to controlled substances such as drugs.

WORKFORCE SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (C250) is discussing economic incentives to draw the motion picture industry to Utah and long-term storage needs for cultural artifacts and state collections. Crossroads
Urban Center will brief the committee on funding sources needed to qualify for funds from the National Housing Trust Fund that was recently established by Congress (revised)

THIS AFTERNOON

The EDUCATION COMMITTEE (C445) will discuss the latest developments in Internet teaching and learning, and the use of property taxes to fund Utah schools. A group of parents who have been studying math education will
make recommendations to the committee based on their findings.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (C250) will hear a progress report on the legislature's Health System Reform Task Force. Also on the agenda are treating the mental health needs of those in the criminal justice system, problems with payment of premiums for Medigap and Medicare Advantage, regulation of paramedic services, an epidemiological surveillance system and a sudden cardiac arrest survival act.

PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TECHNOLOGY (C415) is considering renewable energy tax credits and expansion of net metering, which allows individuals to sell renewable power back to utilities. The Utah Geological Survey will report
on Utah oil shale development, and Rocky Mountain Power and the PSC will update the committee on Ben Lomond-Populus power line siting negotiations.

OTHER AFTERNOON COMMITTEES

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS (C450) will discuss whether to put local district races on the same ballot as other elections. Then they'll consider whether to allow voters to complete voter registration forms directly on line.
Issues are how to capture the voter's signature and whether election laws would need to be changed. Also up for debate are private property owners overcharging the state when they sell their property and the question of how soon after a public meeting the minutes of that meeting should be available to the public.

POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS (W020) Putting riparian overlay zones on streams used as storm sewers and property tax assessment area issues will be discussed. A report on whether residents of townships desire to remain townships, or be annexed or incorporated, or remain unincorporated areas of the county will be discussed.

BUSINESS AND LABOR (W025) will get an update on the need to regulate payroll lending companies. A performance audit of the Division of Securities is scheduled. Then committee members will leave for site visits
of apprentice training facilities for operating engineers, iron workers and electrical workers.

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

Sandy Peck
League of Women Voters