Friday, March 5, 2010

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY

Floor time all the time continues at the Legislature today.  
Floor debate in the Senate will be from 9 to noon and 2:10 to 5 p.m. House sessions are from 8 to noon and 2 to 5.
 
On the CONSENT CALENDAR
        Before jumping into serious debate, legislators usually go to the Consent Calendar to approve 3 or 4 bills that passed unanimously in committee so they will pass quickly.
SB123, Motion Picture Incentive Fund Amendments, is on House Consent today. It tightens state oversight of incentive payments given to motion picture companies that film in Utah.
 
On the TIME CERTAIN CALENDAR
         Both houses have Time Certain Calendars. Today at 10, the Senate has a time certain to debate SB251, Verification of Employment Eligibility, which requires private employers to verify that their employees are legally in the U.S.  Non-compliance would be a Class B misdemeanor and could lead to loss of an employer’s business license.
 
IN THE HOUSE yesterday afternoon, the House board was “wiped.”  All bills were sent back to the Rules Committee for “sifting.” Then Rules sent out 30 different bills for the House to debate today.  
HB462 is # 1 .  It would allow prosecution of a woman for killing or committing criminal homicide of an unborn child.  
#12 is HB421 .  It authorizes a Department of Health demonstration project to facilitate dialogue between health care providers and patients about unexpected and costly medical outcomes.
HR4 urges ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty; Substitute HB153 sets up a state Consumer Electronic Recycling Program; and HB169 requires government agencies considering zoning changes or new developments within 500 feet of a refinery to consult with the refinery to see if the project is compatible.
 
SENATE SECOND READING CALENDAR bills include SB188, which removes the cap on charter school enrollment , if the Legislature funds the increase. It also allows a State Charter School Board member to be a nonvoting member of the State Board of Education.
          SB273, Hospital Assessments, would levy quarterly provider assessments on hospitals.  The funds would be used to improve hospital access for Medicaid patients, and the Department of Health would apply for federal funds to match the assessments.  
 
 
What happened Thursday?
In the House
Kathy Van Dame Reporting

Rep Roger Barrus' (R-Centerville) HB228 Renewable Energy Source Amendments, incentives for incinerators, passed the Senate today, 25-1-3. So it's all over, unless Gov Herbert can be persuaded to veto it, which is not likely. Incineration of municipal waste causes the accumulation of persistent
pollutants in the neighborhood and is a large source of criteria pollutants. Rep Barrus refused to add any mitigation to the bill, such as requiring presorting of the 'fuel' to remove sources of toxics, or locating away from populated areas. Senator Ben McAdams (D-SLC) was the lone nay. He was also the lone nay
on Senator Van Tassell's SB242, which provides tax incentives for nuclear & oil shale development.
 
HB456 Amendments to Department of Environmental Quality  Rebecca Edwards (R-NSL) has passed the House. It adds two members to the state Air Quality Board, a representative of the transportation industry and a representative from a local health department. This bill, unlike the one proposed by Senator Margaret Dayton (R-Orem) and wisely sent to Interim, would strengthen the AQB.
HB456  Amendments to Department of Environmental Quality  Rebecca Edwards (R-NSL)
http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0456.htm < http://le.utah.gov/%7E2010/htmdoc/hbillhtm/hb0456.htm >
 
In the Senate
Sandy Peck reporting
Substitute HB67 Health System Amendments sponsored by Rep Carl Wimmer was amended for a second time yesterday by the Senate.  On Wednesday, the requirement prohibiting a state agency from implementing any provision of federal health care reform without legislative approval was softened to just require the state agency to report to the legislature. That change may have been a reaction to the constitutional note on the bill that noted a possible violation of the Utah Constitution doctrine of separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches.
          Yesterday’s amendment “prohibits an individual in this state from being required to purchase health insurance,” or from being held liable for any penalty assessment, fee or fine as a result of failure to obtain health insurance coverage. The amended bill passed 22-7-0 and will go back to the House for their approval of the amendments.

Substitute SB40 Tobacco Tax Amendments sponsored by Senator Allen Christensen (R-North Ogden) also passed the Senate 20-9-0.  The $1/pack cigarette tax increase will yield over $43 million in revenue to the General Fund.  The new revenue goes to a Cigarette Tax Restricted Account.  SSB40 has language coordinating it with HB 196 by Rep Paul Ray (R-Clearfield) which has passed the House. Senators expressed their reluctance to raise the tax. Sen Wayne Niederhauser (R-Sandy) said such narrow taxes are not the
best policy to build a budget on but the incentive to stop smoking would be good for society.  He congratulated Senator Christensen for his tenacity.  Senator Jones also applauded Christensen.  Senator Luz Robles said she was voting yes as health policy rather than a way to solve the fiscal situation.  Senator Howard Stephenson voted no.  He said the Utah tax will be $1 more than in Wyoming and will push economic activity out of Utah.

Sandy Peck