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!

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. 

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)

Town Hall Meeting

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Join me for a legislative town hall meeting!  Tuesday, February 4, at 6:30 pm. It's at Taylorsville City Hall, 2600 West 5400 South, room 202. Bring your surveys, questions, and ideas!!!

We can't wait to meet with you! ​

​

Rep Jim Dunnigan

District 39

Summer Highlights

As September comes to a close, it's hard to believe that summer is already over.  We've been able to accomplish many things these past few months.  First off, our interim meetings at the Capitol have been very successful.  I feel that we have made great preparations for our upcoming 2013 Legislative Session that will begin in just 3 and a half short months.  You can find documentation of these interim meetings HERE.  I send these updates out each month to those on my email list.  If you aren't on my email list and would like to be, just leave a comment or send me an email with your email address and I would be happy to add you.  I hope you find these emails helpful and informative as constituents and, most importantly, voters.

I was so pleased to have been able to meet many more of you at our annual Taylorsville Dayzz celebration this year.  Thank you for taking the time to come and participate.  The food, booths, rides, entertainment, and fireworks were all fantastic.  This celebration really brings out that community feeling among all of us as neighbors and friends, so it was wonderful to have such a great turnout.  And of course, a special thanks to all who helped put this event together.  Your contributions helped make Taylorsville Dayzz a great success.

Here are some of the pictures we took at the event.  Can you spot yourself in the crowd?