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.