Monday, March 31, 2014

2014 Session Photos



Calling the House to order as Speaker Pro Tem.

Running the House as Speaker Pro Tem








Friday, March 14, 2014

2014 Survey Results

2014 Constituent Survey
Representative Jim Dunnigan
Response: 452

Question 1:      In 2004, the following amendment was approved by 66% of Utah voters: “Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman.” If that amendment to Utah’s constitution were on the ballot today, how would you vote?

FOR:                    68%
AGAINST:           29%
UNDECIDED:     3%

Question 2:
(a)Do you believe that individual states have the right to define marriage?

YES:                     64%
NO:                      31%
UNDECIDED:      5%

(b) Recently, a Federal judge in Utah ruled that same sex marriages should be permitted. This decision is currently being appealed. Do you support Utah’s budgeting money to appeal the court’s decision?

SUPPORT:            57%
OPPOSE:              41%
UNDECIDED:       2%


Question 3:      The Utah Legislature may consider a bill this year that would increase the age when an individual can legally buy cigarettes and other tobacco products from 19 to 21. Do you support this?

YES:                     62%
NO:                      30%
UNDECIDED:      8%

Question 4:      Wood burning stoves and fireplaces account for about 10% of Salt Lake’s air pollution. Burning wood in a fireplace for 1 hour contributes as much pollution as driving a car for 1,000 miles. Should enforcement be increased on no burn days?

YES:                        66%
NO:                         23%
UNDECIDED:        11%

Question 5:      Currently, the Utah attorney general is an elected position. Should this position remain elected, or be appointed by the governor?

ELECTED:                70%
APPOINTED:           17%
UNDECIDED:          13%

Question 6:         
(a) Gas tax is used to build and maintain roads. Utah’s gas tax is currently a flat tax of 25.5 cents per gallon. Studies show that more money is needed to maintain our roads. Which of the following would you support?

NO INCREASES:                21%
INCREASE GAS TAX:         42%
INCREASE SALES TAX:      37%

(b) If Utah were to change the gas tax, should it remain a flat tax of 25.5 cents per gallon, or should it be changed to a percentage of the total purchase price of gasoline so that as the price of gasoline fluctuates, the gas tax would also fluctuate?  

PERCENTAGE TAX:         24%
FLAT TAX:                       76%

Question 7:      Currently, about 20% of the state’s overall budget is designated to Medicaid. As part of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), Utah has the option of expanding Medicaid to cover 111,000 more Utahns at an additional cost of about 60 million dollars per year. Do you support:

NO MEDICAID EXPANSION:                  38%
PARTIAL MEDICAID EXPANSION:        32%
FULL MEDICAID EXPANSION:               30%

Question 8: Revenue estimates indicate a possible budget surplus this year. If this is the case, how should this money be distributed? Rank in order of priority with 1 being the most important.

1 – Public Education
2 – Reduce Income and Sales Tax
3 – Rainy Day Fund
4 – Public Safety
5 – Transportation
6 – Higher Education      

Others: Clean air
                Return money to tax payer
                Medicaid
                Roads
                Reduce taxes



Question 9: The legislature is considering revising the state’s liquor laws. What would you like to see happen? Check all that apply.


DO NOTHING:                                            144
ALLOW MORE LICENSES:                       199
MAINTAIN VISUAL BARRIERS:              125
REMOVE VISUAL BARRIERS:                  178
OTHER:                                                        23

Other:
Government out of liquor business
Privatize liquor sales
Keep current or restrict more
            All liquors allowed to be sold at grocery stores

Week Seven of the Utah Legislative General Session

We’re wrapping our last week here on the hill, and tonight at midnight, Utah’s 60th Legislature will adjourn sine die. Apart from a few interim sessions throughout the year, today we complete most of our legislative work.
Most notably, this week we passed a $13.5 billion dollar budget with no tax increase. The Utah House and the Utah Senate came together to discuss and negotiate how best to serve the citizens of the state of Utah. We were able to appropriate a great deal of money to public education and to higher education. There is enough money in the budget to fund growth and increase the WPU (per pupil spending) by 2.5 percent. We also were able to appropriate a substantial amount of money to higher education, including $50 of equity funding.
This Wednesday the final report from the House Special Investigative committee was presented. This concludes the House investigation into the actions of former Attorney General John Swallow. If you would like to read the final report you can view it here: http://le.utah.gov/investigative/investigativecomm.jsp . The House Special Investigative Committee had a difficult task, and the state of Utah should be proud of the responsible and fair way the investigation was conducted.

Serving as your Representative this session has been a privilege and an honor. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.


The House Special Investigative Committee gave its final report on the floor of the Utah House of Representatives this Wednesday. Representative Dunnigan was the Chairman of this committee. The committee had an eight month investigation which ended on Wednesday when the final report was presented. The final report is available online at http://le.utah.gov/investigative/investigativecomm.jsp.

House Passed Legislation

H.B. 128 S1 - Electronic Device Location Amendments (Rep Wilcox)

This bill requires that government entities obtain a search warrant before obtaining the location of a device. Which means that your cell phone can’t be tracked without a warrant.           

H.B. 414 S1 – Legislative Subpoena Amendments (Rep Dunnigan)

          This bill amends provisions relating to a legislative subpoena. This allows that someone can be compelled to obedience to a legislative subpoena.

H.B. 61 – Clean Air Programs (Rep Arent)

            This bill allows electric-hybrids to be eligible for the program, and removes the state match requirements for a grant for refueling infrastructure and describes the requirements for receiving a grant from the Division of Air Quality and authorizes the Air Quality Board to make rules.

H.B. 159 – Regulation of Child Care Programs (Rep. Hughes)

            This bill creates the Child Care Center Licensing Committee to regulate and make rules for center based child care and provides for duties and powers of the Child Care Center Licensing Committee and provides for appointment and membership of the Child Care Center Licensing Committee.

H.B. 188 – Court Security Revisions (Rep. Dee)

This bill specifies that the state court administrator shall enter into a contract with the county sheriff and pay the costs for bailiffs and building security officers and shifts responsibility from the counties to the state court administrator for costs related to security administration, supervision, travel, equipment, and training of bailiffs.

H.B. 276 – Disorderly Conduct Amendments (Rep. Oda)

This bill provides that displaying a dangerous weapon in public under certain circumstances may be disorderly conduct and confirms that merely displaying a dangerous weapon in public without other behavior is not disorderly conduct.

S.J.R. 8 S1 – Joint Resolution on Term of Appointed Lieutenant Governor (Sen. Urqquhart)

This resolution proposes to amend the Utah Constitution to modify the term of an appointed Lieutenant Governor to be consistent with the term of Governor.

H.B. 429 – Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Rehabilitation (Rep. Hutchings)

This bill directs the Division of Motor Vehicles to collect an additional 50 cent fee to register an off-highway vehicle and deposit the additional fees collected into the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Rehabilitation Fund.

S.B. 140 – Advanced Placement Test Funding (Sen. Mayne)

            This bill allows the State Board of Education to allocate money to pay for test fees of those eligible low-income students.

 H.B. 411 – Victim Restitution Amendments (Rep. Wilson)

This bill requires the court to maintain jurisdiction of a case and continue probation for a defendant who has unpaid accounts receivable related to fines, fees, or restitution.

H.B. 206 – Driver License Testing Revisions (Rep. Eliason)

This bill provides that if an applicant has been issued an equivalent learner permit by another state or branch of the United States Armed Forces, the applicant is subject to the driver education, testing, age, and fee requirements.

S.B. 209 – School Grading Revisions (Rep. Hughes)

This bill modifies procedures and standards for assigning a letter grade to a school based on the proficiency, learning gains, or college and career readiness of the school's students.

S.B. 267 S1 – Governmental Immunity Act Amendments (Sen. Weiler)

This bill provides that a governmental entity may not challenge the timeliness of a notice of claim filed within a specified time if the claimant had in good faith previously filed a notice of claim with another governmental entity and if other conditions are met.

S.B. 75 – Primary Care Grants Amendments (Sen. Christensen)

This bill creates the Primary Care Grant Committee and directs the committee to evaluate applications for primary care grants and make recommendations to the department, directs the department to review and rank applications for primary care grants, and recodifies provisions related to community outreach and education contracts.

H.B. 148 – Off-Highway Vehicle Amendments (Rep. Noel)

This bill provides that a full-sized all-terrain vehicle that meets certain requirements may be operated as a street-legal all-terrain-vehicle on certain streets or highways unless the highway is an interstate freeway or a limited access highway and specifies equipment requirements for a full-sized all-terrain vehicle to be operated.

H.B. 401 S2 – Utah Medicaid Program (Rep Dunnigan)

            This bill instructs the Health Reform Task Force to study and evaluate proposals for coverage of the Medicaid population.

S.B. 39 S1 – Home School Amendments (Sen. Osmond)

This bill modifies procedures for excusing from public school attendance a school-age minor who attends a home school and eliminates instructional requirements for a school-age minor who attends a home school and specifies procedures for the placement of a home school student who transfers to a public school.

S.B. 145 – Background Check Amendments (Sen. Bramble)

This bill clarifies that criminal history record information that does not relate to a conviction may not be released to an entity requesting an employment background check.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Week Six of the Utah Legislative General Session

We have one week left on the Hill, and it will be full of meaningful floor debate and final budget negotiations.
Now that final committee meetings have been held, most of our work will be done on the chamber floor. Between the House and the Senate, more than 700 bills were numbered this session. But that doesn't mean we'll pass that many new laws. Some bills are cleanup bills, making technical changes, and some fix problems or update existing law.
Of the bills that don’t make it to the floor, some are abandoned; others fail to make it out of committees and the rest fail on the floor of the House or Senate.
The state constitution requires that the general legislative session only lasts 45 consecutive days. That 45 days includes weekends, which means that the legislature has even less time to do the work of the state. This limited time frame, and the sheer volume of bills introduced, requires long days and judicious decisions from legislators.

We expect there to be more than couple late nights, and a lot of great debate during the next week. However, regardless of time constraints, we will pass a balanced budget totaling nearly $13 billion, we will increase education funding, continue to find responsible solutions for air quality, and better prepare the state of Utah for the future, and we’re pretty proud of that. As always, I look forward to hearing from you regarding your concerns and expectations.



UPCOMING EVENTS


Mar. 13 – Marks the last day of the 2014 Legislative session!


House Passed Legislation 

H.C.R.  8 – House Concurrent Resolution Regarding Moving the State Prison (Rep. Wilson)

This House Resolution concludes that it’s in the best interest of the state to move the state prison form its current location in Draper. This comes as recommendation from the Prison Relocation and Development Authority (PRADA) and its in-depth research and study.

HB 128 S1 – Electronic Device Location Amendments (Rep. Wilcox)

This bill requires a search warrant before requesting disclosure of the location of an electronic device; provides exceptions for emergencies.

 HB 394 S1 – Campaign Finance Reform (Rep. Dunnigan)

            This bill addresses campaign financing problems that were uncovered during the House Special Investigation. Requires itemized reporting of work done for the candidate by a political consultant so that what the money was used for in a campaign cannot be hidden. 


HB 121 – Air Quality Revisions (Rep. Edwards)

This bill authorizes the Division of Air Quality to create rules that are more stringent than corresponding federal regulations if additional regulations will provide added protections to public health and the environment.

HB 70 S2 – Forcible Entry Amendments (Rep. Roberts)

This bill requires law enforcement officers to identify themselves before forcing entry into a building; allows law enforcement officers to force entry without first issuing a demand or explanation if there is probable cause to believe that evidence will be easily or quickly destroyed, or there is reason to believe giving notice will endanger the officer or another person.

HB 379 S3 – Transparency of Ballot Propositions (Rep. Wilcox)

This bill provides that arguments in favor and against certain ballot propositions can be submitted and posted, and that a public meeting is conducted that allows the interested parties to present their arguments.

SB 52 – Utility Relocation on Highway Projects (Sen. Van Tassell)

            This bill provides that the requirement that the Department of Transportation pay certain percentages of the cost of relocation of a utility to accommodate construction of a state highway; provides that a utility company that has been notified of a utility relocation shall cooperate with the Department of Transportation.

 SB 61 – Revisions to Property Tax (Sen. Henderson)

            This bill defines terms; addresses the procedures and requirements for imposing a property tax levy that exceeds the certified tax rate; amends the timing for a public hearing held for the purpose of considering the imposition of a judgment levy; addresses the content of certain tax notices

SB 198 – Law Enforcement Exemption for Medical Information (Sen. Adams)

            This bill allows a health care provider to issue a statement as to whether a detainee is medically cleared for incarceration in certain circumstances.

SB 96 – Veterans’ Assistance Registry (Sen. Mayne)

            This bill creates a registry process at the Utah Department of Veterans' and Military Affairs that provides contact information to donors of materials and labor for veterans and their dependents.


Honoring Olympic Gold medalist, bobsledder Steven Holcomb, on the House Floor.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Week Five of the Utah Legislative General Session

This week at the Capitol we received the state’s latest revenue projections and are now working to finalize the state budget. We’ve already passed a base budget as a guide, but we now we can confidently appropriate new ongoing and one-time revenue. Overall, new estimates show that one-time revenue is up $11 million and ongoing revenue is up $47 million, with most of that increase in the education fund. In total, the state has $144 million in new one-time revenue and $253 million in ongoing revenue.
It’s important to recognize the difference between the two types of revenue. We can expect the source of ongoing revenue to remain about the same year to year, but one-time revenue can only be used once. Except in cases of emergency, the state of Utah does its best to avoid paying for ongoing costs with one-time revenue.
Utah continues to be well positioned for what lies ahead. Our consumer confidence levels are well above national averages, and our unemployment rate, at 4.1 percent, is well below the national average.
Every year, legislators are tasked with balancing the budget. This means making hard choices when it comes to what the state should and should not fund. This session the House has made funding public education, air quality initiatives, and providing for Utah’s most needy top priority. It’s in imperative that our school children are given innovative ways to learn, that Utahans can feel safe about the air they breathe, and that those that need help, are given help.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you regarding your concerns and expectations.


Representative Dunnigan and Representative Dee discussing a bill.

HOUSE PASSED LEGISLATION

HB 74- Energy Efficient Vehicle Tax Credit (Rep Snow)

This bill modifies the amount of tax credit that may be claimed for the purchase of certain energy efficient vehicles; and makes technical and conforming changes.

HB 31- Pollution Control Amendments (Rep Wilcox)

This bill repeals provisions related to pollution control. It enacts the Pollution Control chapters, including; defining terms; sales and tax exemptions; claiming refund of sales and use taxes paid; certification process for purposes of sales and use tax exemptions; revocation of certification and rulemaking authority by the Air Quality Board of Water Quality Board.

HB 127 – Consumer Lending Amendments (Rep Dunnigan)

            This bill provides a way for consumers to get out of the cycle of debt by giving them 60 days interest free to pay off a payday loan that has been in place for 10 weeks.

H.B. 217 – Service Animals (Rep Wilcox)

            This bill allows service animals to be adopted when they retire.

 HB302 S1- Substitute Voting Record Amendments (Rep Edwards)

The bill allows a voter to request the voter’s voter registration record be classified as a private record.

HB 341- Federal Land Acquisitions Amendments (Rep Noel)

This bill amends provisions relating to the legislative’s approval of conveyances of school trust lands.

HB 336 S1- Substitute Court System Task Force (Rep Jeremy Peterson)

This bill creates the court system Task Force. It requires that the Task Force provide the Judiciary Interim Committee with a report of the task force’s recommendations by November 30, 2015.

SB125- Retired Volunteer Health Care Practitioner Amendment (Sen Henderson)

This bill amends the eligibility requirements for an individual to apply for a retired volunteer health care practitioner license.

SB132- Humans Service Amendments (Sen Harper)

This bill provides that the district court may appoint an office attorney guardian ad litem when the district court determines that no private attorney guardians ad litem are reasonably available. Any savings shall be applied to the office to reduce caseloads and improve practice in Juvenile court and to recruit and train attorneys for the private attorney guardian ad litem program.

SB 103 S1 – Local Control of Classroom Time Requirements (Sen. Osmond)

            This bill allows a local school board or charter school governing board to reduce the number of instructional hours or days within the school term for certain purposes.

SB 130 – Trust Deed Foreclosure Amendments (Sen. Harper)

            This bill amends the requirements related to trust deed foreclosures, including communications with a default trustor.

SB 138 – Controlled Substances Act Amendments (Sen. Vickers)

            This bill provides that more than one controlled substance may be included in a prescription.

SB 155 – Apportionment of Income Amendments (Sen. Bramble)

            This bill amends a definition related to the apportionment of income for purposes of corporate franchise and income taxes

SB 168 – Charity Care Amendments (Sen Christensen)

This bill requires a written waiver from a patient; and provides immunity from liability to a health care provider who volunteers services at a federally qualified health center or an Indian health clinic.


Representative Dunnigan on the Dais running the House floor as Speaker Pro Tem. 

Friday, February 21, 2014

Week Four of the Utah Legislative General Session

We are officially halfway through the 2014 General Legislative Session, and things are progressing up here on the hill. Every day more and more bills receive committee hearings, debate on the House floor, and are passed over to the Senate. This year alone there have been 1,216 requests for legislation. Of those, 595 bills have been numbered, 314 have been dropped, and 257 are still being drafted. Utah’s legislative process is unique and this session we’re enjoying the opportunity to be part of the policy-making process.
This week we heard from Senator Mike Lee, Congressman Jim Matheson, and Congressman Rob Bishop and got their Washington D.C. perspectives.  
            Come join Representative Jim Dunnigan on the House floor. The times available for next week are listed below.

Monday, February 24, 2014
            10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
            10:00 am – 12:00 pm     &      2:00 pm – 3:50 pm
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
            10:00 am – 12:00 pm,     &     2:00 pm – 3:50 pm
Thursday, February 27, 2014
            10:00 am – 12:00 pm,     &     2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Friday, February 28, 2014

            10:00 am – 12:00 pm,     &     3:00 pm – 5:00 pm



The Fire Caucus, made up from firefighters and fire marshals throughout the state, presented an award.  This year Representative Dunnigan received the Legislator of the Year Award at the Fire Caucus. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb. 25Museum Day on the Hill - Join us as we learn about the wonderful museums located in Utah

Feb. 27 Non-Profit Day on the Hill
Join us for a day of non-profit education in the Capitol Rotunda.


Representative Dunnigan and his grandson Nixon on the House Floor.

Bills That Passed The House

HB 80 – Speed Limit Amendments (Dunnigan, J.)

            This bill allows the Department of Transportation to establish posted speed limits on freeways or other limited access highways that exceeds the current speed limit based on highway traffic engineering and safety study.

HB 88 – Autism Program Amendments (Menlove, R.)

            This bill requires that ongoing programs for the treatment of qualified children with autism spectrum disorder to be established by the Department of Health and the Public Employee Insurance and Benefit Program.

HB 215 S1 – Public School Employee Background Checks (Handy, S.)

            This bill requires a notification to be provide to certain entities when a new entry is made against an employee or volunteer whose fingerprints are held on file regarding any matters involving an alleged offense against property.

HB 248 S1 – Crime Victims Restitution Amendments (McKell, M.)

             This bill allows for a person who claims pecuniary damages as a result of a defendant's criminal activities to seek restitution individually through a representative.

HB 301 – Concealed Weapon Permit for Servicemembers (Peterson, V.)

            This bill exempts an active duty service member from the Utah concealed firearm permit reciprocity requirement if stationed out of state.

SB 145 – Background Check Amendments (Bramble, C.)

            This bill clarifies that criminal history record information that does not relate to a conviction may not be released to an entity requesting an employment background check.

SB 108 – Judiciary Amendments (Hillyard, L.)

   This bill requires a peace officer or public official to include on a citation whether the offense was a domestic violence offense; requires a petitioner applying electronically for the expungement of records to follow certain proceedings; changes the filing fee for a domestic relations order.


Honoring former Lt. Greg Bell and his wife, JoLynn Bell on the House floor.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Week Three of the Utah Legislative General Session

We’re wrapping up week three of the 2014 legislative session here on the hill. This week we continued to meet in appropriations and standing committees, as well as debate House and Senate bills on the House floor. We spent time discussing the Utah School Readiness Initiative (HB 96), election laws (HB282), and a variety of other bills, including HB 283, a bill that enacts the Nonprofit Entity Receipt of State Money Act.

The caucus also discussed he Public Education Modernization Act, which is an education initiative designed to enact a statewide one-to-one mobile device technology program for grades 1 through 12. Which means that every student in Utah will have access to his or her own tablet or laptop. The Public Education Modernization Act invests in students, but it also invests in teachers. Teachers will receive extensive professional development that will give them all of the knowledge and training they will need to utilize software, personalize curriculum, and assess student understanding. We’re excited to give new opportunities to Utah students, as well as improve drop out rates, graduation, academic achievement, and reduce discipline issues. Not to mention, the chance to invest in our teachers.

Be sure to contact us with any questions comments, or concerns. Your feedback and participation is always welcome.

Bill of the Week

H.B. 275 – Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day 




This week the Utah House passed a bill that designates March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day.  
Representative Oda sponsored the bill in an effort to honor those that served in the Vietnam War by creating a day in which all Utahans could show their gratitude for the Veterans’ sacrifice. 

Bills that passed the House


H.B. 316 – Financial Institutions Fee Amendments (Dunnigan, J.)

            This bill reduces certain fees imposed by statute, addresses use of money by the commissioner, and makes technical changes.



H.B. 261 S2 – Domestic Horse Disposal (Anderegg, J.)

            This bill allows the owner of certain dead animals to bury the dead animals on the owner’s property.



H.B. 96 – Utah School Readiness Initiative (Hughes, G.)

            This bill creates the School Readiness Board to negotiate contracts with private entities to fund certain early childhood education programs and award grants to certain early childhood education programs.


H.B. 289 – Traffic-control Signal Amendments (Anderson, J.)

            This bill repeals the sunset date on the affirmative defense for an operator of a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle who is 16 years of age or older, to a red light or red arrow violation in certain circumstances.


H.B. 292 – School Grading – Calculation of High School Graduation Rate (Menlove, R.)

            This bill modifies the calculation of a high school graduation rate for the purpose of school grading by excluding from the four-year adjusted cohort for the graduating class a student with a disability who has an IEP that includes a plan to complete high school graduation requirements in more than four years. 



Lincoln's Birthday

February 12, this passed Wednesday, marked President Lincoln's Birthday. We had three Lincoln's come and visit the House; one of which was Representative Dunnigan!


Friday, February 7, 2014

Week Two of the Utah Legislative General Session

The start of our second week here on Utah’s Capitol Hill was met with hard work as our appropriations subcommittees continued to meet diligently and discuss the budget. These subcommittees reviewed state departments, audits, and spending, and then brought forward a base budget. The base budget is presented in bill form and is essentially a guideline for spending for the year. The legislature continues to keep Utah fiscally responsible by balancing the budget every year.

This session, the legislature will introduce a solution that has been years in the making. By consolidating the 9-1-1-system across the state of Utah, we hope to ensure every Utahn will receive the best possible emergency response. Reforming the dispatch system will eliminate confusion, save money, shrink emergency response times and save lives.

Later in the week the Utah House of Representatives had the privilege of honoring fallen Sgt. Derek Johnson and his family with a citation on the House floor. As legislators, and as Utahns, we are grateful for the sacrifices law enforcement members and their families make every day.

As always, we look forward to hearing from you regarding any questions, comments, or concerns.



Honoring fallen Sgt. Derek Johnson and his family with a citation on the House floor.


Thank You!


Thanks to all who came to the Town Hall Meeting and shared their ideas and concerns.
Your input is very valuable in helping me represent our district at the State capitol.
Remember to return your surveys!


Bill of the Week


HB 245  - State Fire Code Amendments (Rep. J. Dunnigan)

This bill modifies the fire code to allow housing structures to be built in girls camps in the mountains without requiring a sprinkling system provided the housing is constructed of non-flammable materials and does not include heating or cooking equipment.


Legislation that Passed the House


HB 30  - Controlled Substances Amendments (Rep. P. Ray)

This bill adds new “spice” and emerging drug analogs to the listed controlled substances. 


HB 20 - Emergency Vehicle Operator Duty of Care Revisions (Rep. B. Dee)

This bill makes it so that the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle owes nothing to a suspect of a crime when the suspect is evading, fleeing or attempting to elude the operator of the authorized emergency vehicle. 


HB 24 S1 - Insurance Related Amendments (Rep. J. Dunnigan)

This bill increases health insurance benefits on individual or small employer insurance plans for mental health and substance abuse. Secondly allows out of state insurance providers to work in Utah following natural disasters to help get claims paid more timely. And other regulatory clean up. 


HB 25  - Eminent Domain Amendments (Rep. L. Perry)

This bill requires that when the right of eminent domain is being exercised a written statement with certain disclosures has to be given to the property owner. It also amend what uses eminent domain main be used for. 



HB 241 - School Records Amendments (Rep. G. Froerer)

This bill says that a school must record and maintains to verify that a parent was notified of certain incidents or threats. 



SB 25  - Candidate Certification Amendments (Sen. D. Henderson) 

This bill provides that the deadline for a registered political party to certify its candidates for a primary election is 5 p.m. on April 28, 2014; provides that the deadline for the lieutenant governor to certify to the county clerks the candidates who will appear on the primary ballot is 5 p.m. on April 29, 2014; and provides that the provisions of this bill are repealed on January 1, 2015.


HB 238  - Local Referendum Requirements Amendments (Rep. K. Powell)

This bill provides that when a local legislative body imposes a tax or other payment obligation on property in an area that doesn’t include all areas in the jurisdiction of the legislative body that only those in which the tax or payment will apply give signatures and vote on the referendum. 

Friday, January 31, 2014

Week One of the Utah Legislative General Session

Monday marked the start of the 2014 General Legislative Session, but our work started before the gavel fell. In May of 2013 the legislature began their Interim Committee work in preparation for this legislative session. Interim Committees are a time when the committees take input and comments from the public and from State agencies.

Monday also marked the beginning of assembling the State’s thirteen billion dollar budget. The State budget is divided up into eight different subcommittees. Each legislator serves on at least one appropriation subcommittee. The work of the subcommittees is then combined together to form the overall State budget which then requires approval by the executive appropriations committee.

Please come sit with me on the House floor and see the legislative process in action. E-mail me at jdunnigan@le.utah.gov or call Teresa Urie at 801-699-5574.

Tomorrow evening at the Town Meeting is an opportunity for me to hear from you and discuss any legislative topics that are on your mind. See upcoming events for details.


Members of the Utah National Guard Color Guard post the colors during the opening ceremony of the 2014 General Legislative Session. 


Upcoming Events:

Feb 4 - 6:30 Townhall Meeting with Rep Jim Dunnigan. Bring your surveys, questions, and ideas!
Taylorsville City Hall
2600 W 5400 S room 202
Refreshments



Bill of the Week


H.B. 18 - Driver License Amendments (Handy)

One of the most important things a legislator does is listen to, and investigate the concerns of their constituents. A member of Rep. Handy’s district noticed an inconsistency in Utah’s driver licensure requirements and this week the House was able to pass H.B. 18. This bill allows drivers 17 years and older, who have had a permit for six months in another state, to transfer that permit to Utah and be licensed as a Utah driver after passing the required tests. Thanks to the feedback from Rep. Handy’s constituent and the hard work of Rep. Handy, the Utah House was able to remedy an oversight in the Utah Code. 


House Passed Legislation:


H.B. 10 Injured Worker Reemployment Amendments (Rep. Dunnigan)

Eliminated unnecessary regulatory and reporting requirement while maintaining the emphasis on getting an injured worker back to work.


H.B. 11 Overdose Reporting Amendments (Rep. Moss)


H.B. 13 Rural Waste Disposal (Rep. Menlove)

Allows an individual to dispose of nonhazardous solid waste under certain circumstances. 


H.B. 14 Administrative Rulemaking Amendments (Rep. Oda)


H.B. 15 Driver License Suspension Amendments (Rep. Sagers)


H.B. 21 System of Care for Minors in State Custody (Rep. Sanpei)


H.B. 22 Workforce Services Amendments (Rep. Edwards)


H.B. 27 Interlocal Cooperation Act Amendments (Rep. Barrus)