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Monday, February 08, 2010

February 8, 2010

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Senate Floor Action Feb. 8, 2010

Signed by the Senate President
Concurrent Resolution Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America HCR 5 (Valentine) passed with 28 yea, 0 nay. Signed by the Senate President.

Senate Bills Passed
Utah Historical Society - Nonlapsing Authority SB 48 (Okerlund) passed with 25 yea, 0 nay. On to the House
Mental Health Professional Practice Act Amendments SB90s1 (Hillyard) passed with 27 yea, 0 nay. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
Concurrent Resolution Reducing Prescription Drug Misuse SCR 2 (Jones) amended and passed. On to the 3rd Reading Calendar.
Dental Health Care Concurrent Resolution SCR 4 (Jones) passed with 28 yea, 0 nay. On to the 3rd Reading Calendar.
Authorization of Charter Schools by Higher Education Institutions SB 55 (Adams) 23 yea, 2 nay. Passes. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
Voter Challenge Revisions SB 53 (Knudson) passed with 26 yea, 0 nay. Placed on the 3rd Reading Calendar.
Adverse Possession of Real Property SB 103 (Urquhart) Motor Vehicle Accident Arbitration Amendments 26 yea, 0 nay passes and will be placed on the 3rd Reading Calendar.

Senate Bills Circled
Judicial Nominating Commission Staff Amendments SB108s2 (Jenkins) circled and will continue on 3rd Reading Calendar.
Sales and Use Tax Definition of Tangible Personal Property SB 27 (Hillyard) amended and circled. Continues on 3rd Reading Calendar.
Lien Amendments SB 107 (Bramble) circled and continues on the 2nd Reading Calendar.
School District Leave Policies SB77s1 (Dayton) circled and placed back on the 2nd Reading Calendar.

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Boy Scouts in the Senate

View from the Gallery (via Joe Pyrah of the Daily Herald)

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Feb. 8: Media Briefing

Today's Media Q&A featured discussion on SCR2 and SCR4, legislation sponsored by Senator Jones, an update on the budget process with Senator Hillyard, and Senator Liljenquist gives insight to the legislation on retirement. You can watch the session here.

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Monday Morning Workout

UPD
Speaker Clark's Week 2 Highlights
Pignanelli & Webb: The Lovefest Continues
UPD/Fox 13 Insider Poll: Rating of Utah's elected officials
KCPW: Base Budget for Public Ed Passes Legislature
Winters: Legislators hold off studying expansion of anti-bias rulings
KCPW: Bill To Allow Governor to Appoint Chief Justice Advances
SLTrib: Panel OKs bill to let guv pick chief justice
ABC4: New "Declaration of the Family Resolution" surfaces on Utah's capitol Hill
KSL: Thousands rally at Capitol to protest retirement bills
SLTrib: State workers rally against bills to change retirement benefits
Pyrah: She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers
Pyrah: Monday Gaggle -- Super Bowl Edition!
KSL: Senate proposal would let lawmakers not vote
McKitrick: Mobile home advocates to lobby lawmakers
Fox 13: Utahns meet with lawmakers at State Capitol

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Saturday, February 06, 2010

Retirement Reform

Facts about Senator Liljenquist's proposed retirement reform:

1. Current employees WILL KEEP 100% OF THEIR PENSION BENEFITS

2. Currently rehired retirees WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO COLLECT PENSION BENEFITS

3. Retired employees WILL NOT be affected by any of the retirement reforms

4. Retired rehires after July 1, 2010 will return to ACTIVE EMPLOYMENT STATUS

5. New employees hired after July 1, 2011, will be part of a NEW RETIREMENT SYSTEM

We lost a lot of money in 2008. The proposed reform bills (SB 63 and SB 43) will ensure that the pension system can meet 100% of its pension obligations to current and retired employees, and reduce long-term bankruptcy risk to state & local governments.

Here's a fact sheet (PDF).

This is Utah, not California. We look ahead, and try to avoid problems before they become a crisis.

BTW - This . . . is ridiculous. But not surprising. The UEA has the facts but opted instead to stampede their followers with FUD.

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Friday, February 05, 2010

Moratorium holds

Bills, rhetoric and supporters were lining up on both sides of the cultural divide re: gay rights and LGBT issues. The moratorium represents a decision not to allow a gratuitous ideological election-year food fight. Instead, legislators opted to encourage the newly emerging civil discourse on these polarizing issues to continue. It's our hope that as we continue to think and discuss like adults, solutions will emerge that work for everyone. It's worth a shot.

After caucus this afternoon the Senate President Michael Waddoups and Representative Christine Johnson discussed the new moratorium agreement.

Two articles:

Rosmary Winters: New compromise emerges on gay rights

Lisa Roche: Lawmakers do away with gay rights bills

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February 5, 2010

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Senate Floor Action Feb. 5, 2010

Signed by Senate President:
Per Diem and Travel Expense Modifications HB 27 passed with 24 yea, 0 nay votes. Signed by the Senate President and forwarded on to the Speaker of the House.
Referendum Ballot Proposition Amendments HB 44 passed with 24 yea, 0 nay votes. Signed by the Senate President. On to the Speaker of the House.
Livestock Damage compensation Amendments HB 32 passed with 25 yea,0 nay votes. Signed by the Senate President.
Juvenile Transfers from Justice Court HB 14 passed with 26 yea, 0 nay votes. Signed by the Senate President.
Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Act Amendments HB 33 passed with 26 yea, 0 nay votes. Signed by the Senate President.
Minimum School Program Base Budget HB1s1 passed with 27 yea, 1 nay votes. Signed by the Senate President.

Senate Bills:
Utah Construction Trade Licensing Act Amendments SB 85 (Jenkins) passed with 24 yea, 0 nay votes. On to the House.
Revisor’s Statute SB 110 (Dayton) passed with 25 yea, 0 nay votes. On to the House.
Pharmacy Practice Act Amendments SB88s1 (Bramble) passed with 27 yea, 0 nay votes. On to the House.
Judicial Nominating Commission Staff Amendments SB108s2 (Jenkins) passed with 21 yea, 6 nay votes. Placed on the 3rd Reading Calendar.

House Bills:
Foreclosure Rescue and Loan Modification Amendments HB53s1 amendment passed with 25 yea, 0 nay votes. On to the House.
Scheduling of Controlled Substances HB 38 amendment passed with 26 yea, 0 nay votes. On to the House.

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Roaming Gnome roams to the Upper House

The Roaming Gnome paid a visit to the Senate Floor today. Travelocity held an online contest this week where website visitors would vote whether the Roaming Gnome should ski in Utah or at Lake Tahoe. Utah edged out Tahoe by a sweet 64 votes out of 200,000+. The Roaming Gnome will soon ski the Greatest Snow on Earth!

More at Out of Context: Gnome, Sweet Gnome

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Feb. 5: Media Briefing

Today's Media Q&A featured another extensive discussion on the budget with Senator Hillyard. The Q&A also included a conversation with Senate Majority Leader Senator Jenkins about his bills dealing with Judicial Nominations. If you missed the session you can watch it here.

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Friday Morning Workout

Davis County Clipper: Senator Jerry Stevenson settling in to new job
DNews: Sen. Bob Bennett talks politics with state lawmakers
Daily Herald: State readies for sweeping reform of retirement system
KCPW: Senator Steve Urquhart on Sex Ed
SLTrib: Counties want more jail money or felons could go free
Roche: Senate President Michael Waddoups backs halt to anti-bias bills
Holly on the Hill: States’ Rights Bills Moving Forward
Reavy: Supreme Court justices fight bill on picking their chief
Pyrah: Ethics bills move quickly through House, move to Senate
Bernick: House approves ethics reform bills
Loomis: Ethics overhaul advances
KCPW: Fate of Ethics Bills Now Lies in Senate
SLTrib: Freeze scheduled pay raise, legislators propose
DNews: Addressing tribal issues
Smith: Committee OKs doctor notification bill
KSL: Committee to weigh in on school junk food bill
Sausage Grinder: Morning Pileup -- Either-Or edition

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Thursday, February 04, 2010

February 4, 2010

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Senate Radio: Hesterman Report - Anti-Discrimination Study

Rep. Christine Johnson and Sen. Howard Stephenson announced legislation last Friday that calls for an anti-discrimination study. They also called for a stand down on both sides of the issue. I talked with Sen. Stephenson and Senate Majority Leader Jenkins to find out more on this issue. Hear it here.

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Senate Floor Action 2/3/2010

Final Passage with Signature:
Wildlife Licenses, Certificates, or Permit Amendments HB 31 unanimously passed. Signed by the Senate President. Continues on to the Speaker of the House.
Brine Shrimp Royalty Act Amendments HB 26 passed with 28 yea, 0 nay votes. Signed by the Senate President in Open Session. Continues on to the Speaker of the House for a signature.
Amendments Related to a Tax, Fee, or Charge Administered by the State Tax Commission HB 49 passed with 19 yea, 0 nay. Signed by the Senate President in Open Session. Continues on to the Speaker of the House.
Deferred Deposit Lending Amendments HB 15 passed with 22 yea, 4 nay. Signed by the Senate President. Continues on to the Speaker of the House.
School district division Amendments HB 29 passed with 23 yea, 1 nay. Signed by the Senate President. Continues on to the Speaker of the House.

Senate Bills:
Sales and Use Tax Definition of Tangible Personal Property SB 27 (Hillyard) circled. Remains on 3rd Reading Calendar.
Uintah Basin Revitalization Fund Amendment SB 96 (Van Tassell) passed with 28 yea, 0 nay votes. On to the House for debate.
Local District Amendments SB 20 (Stowell) passed with 25 yea, 0 nay votes. On to the House for debate.
Pharmacy Practice Act Amendments SB88s1 (Bramble) passed with 26 yea, 0 nay votes. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.

House Bills:
Economic Development Incentives Act Amendments HB 24 circled. Remains on 3rd Reading Calendar.
Utah Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Amendments HB 40 passed with 25, yea 0 nay votes. On to the House for debate.
Insurance Related Amendments HB 39 circled. Remains on 2nd Reading Calendar.
Foreclosure Rescue and Loan Modification Amendments HB53s1 passed with 28 yea, 0 nay votes. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
School District Employees-Career Status Requirements HB42s1 circled. Remains on 2nd Reading Calendar.
Livestock Damage Compensation Amendments HB 32 passed with 27 yea, 0 nay votes. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
Juvenile Transfers from Justice Court HB 14 passed with 26 yea, 0 nay votes. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Act Amendments HB 33 passed with 26 yea, 0 nay votes. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
Scheduling of Controlled Substances HB 38 passed with 28 yea, 0 nay votes. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.

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LIVE UStream today: 11:45 a.m. Media Briefing

Today's Media Q&A will be live streamed from the Senate President's office here on The Senate Site immediately following floor time at 11:45.

We will be talking about the bills that were discussed on the floor this morning. If you have a question and can't be here in person, text your question to: 801.633.3663

Video streaming by Ustream

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Thursday Morning Workout

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Wednesday, February 03, 2010

February 3, 2010

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Today's Senate Floor Action

Final Passage:
- Utah State-made Firearms Protection Act (Dayton) SB 11 passed 3rd Reading Calendar. On to the House
- Drug Utilization Review Board Amendments (Knudson) SB 41s1 passed with 25 yea 0 nay. On to the House
- Repeal of Severance Tax Holding Account (Hillyard) SB 111 passed with 26 yea 0 nay. On to The House

Senate Bills:
- Uintah Basin Revitalization Fund Amendments (Van Tassell) SB 96 passed with 26 yea 0 nay. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
- Local District Amendments (Stowell) SB 20 passed with 26 yea 0 nay. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
- Judicial Nominating Commission Staff Amendments (Jenkins) SB 108s2 circled. Continues on 2nd Reading Calendar.

House Bills:
- Brine Shrimp Royalty Act Amendments HB 26 passed with 26 yea 0 nay. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
- Amendments Related to a Tax, Fee, or Charge Administered by the State Tax Commission HB 49 passed with 22 yea 0 nay. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
- Economic Development Incentives Act Amendments HB 24 passed with 25 yea 0 nay. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
- Deferred Deposit Lending Amendments HB 15 passed with 25 yea 0 nay. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
- Controlled Substance Database Amendments HB 28 bill circled. Remains on 2nd Reading Calendar.
- Controlled Substance Database - Reporting of Prescribed Controlled Substance Overdose or Poisoning HB 35s1 circled. Remains on 2nd Reading Calendar.
- Scheduling of Controlled Substances HB 38 circled. Remains on 2nd Reading Calendar.
- Utah Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Amendments HB 40 passed with 23 yea 0 nay. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.
- School District Division Amendments HB 29 passed with 26 yea 2 nay. Placed on 3rd Reading Calendar.

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Feb. 3: Media Briefing

Water and Payday loan centers were the main topics in today's media Q&A. Sen. Stowell, Sen. Mayne, Sen. Jenkins, Sen. Hillyard and President Waddoups were all participants in this morning's media briefing. If you missed it, watch it here.

Here's a nugget from the discussion - 19 seconds of insight on the process of passing a law, from Majority Leader Jenkins.

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Wednesday Morning Workout

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Tuesday, February 02, 2010

February 2, 2010

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The Rev. France Davis visits the Senate

The Rev. France Davis called upon members of the senate to remember to continue Martin Luther King Jr.'s pursuit of equality and civility in his address to senate members this morning. Rev. Davis, longtime pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, spoke on behalf of the Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission and called for, "more goodwill and more voice for the voiceless." You can watch his speech on the video below.

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S.B. 11 Introduced on Senate Floor

Senator Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, introduced her bill, S.B. 11, on the Senate floor this morning. The bill is titled "Utah State-Made Firearms Protection Act", but Sen. Dayton clarified that the bill is not about guns, but is about bringing the governing power back to the states.

"This bill does not really fit into the gun bill category. Although this bill does address guns, this bill is about our state's immutable right to establish control of our own rules and laws in our state," said Sen. Dayton.

S.B. 11 is worded that "a firearm or one of various firearm-related items manufactured in the state for in-state use is not subject to federal firearms laws and regulations" but would be controlled by the state. Sen. Dayton's bill passed the Second Reading Calendar this morning. You can watch her speech on S.B. 11 on the video below.

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Feb. 2: Media Briefing

Today's Media Q&A focused on Sen. Dayton's S.B. 11. The media discuss with Sen. Dayton and senate leadership parameters and logistics behind S.B. 11. If you missed today's Q&A and would like to watch it, you can view it here.

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Tuesday Morning Workout

UPD
LaVarr Webb: Wyoming Governor, a Democrat, Gets Aggressive on Federalism
DNews: Senate approves rainwater bill
Gehrke: Senate passes bill governing collection of rainwater
DNews: Howling Wolves
KCPW: Support for Wolf Management Bill Splits Along Party Lines
Gehrke: Bill would ask to delist wolf in Utah
Weist: Social services lobby to stop cuts
DNews: Democracy Day draws activists to Capitol
Pyrah: Lawmaker wants schools to stop paying teachers for UEA time
KCPW: No Paid Union Leave for Teachers Under Senate Proposal
Fox 13: Lawmakers Consider Banning Mobile Phone Use for Under 18 Drivers
Bernick: Major ethics reform bill passes House committee
Roche/Raymond: Rep. Rob Bishop talks states' rights with Utah Senate
SLTrib: At Utah Capitol, Bishop pushes empowering the states
Thalman: Lawmakers take aim at tobacco products
Stewart: Abstinence findings fuel sex-ed debate
Villasenor: Bill would offer health care programs to legal immigrant children

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Monday, February 01, 2010

February 1, 2010

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Senate Radio: Hesterman Report - The First Week

Wonder what the first week of the session was like for some of the interns, staffers, and our two newest senators? I caught up with a few of them to find out how it went, you can hear the report here.

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S.B. 36 - Wolf Management

S.B. 36, The Wolf Management bill passed the Senate's Second Reading Calendar today and has been placed on the bottom of the Third Reading Calendar for final consideration by the Senate. Sponsor of S.B. 36, Sen. Allen Christensen, spoke with the media following the passage of this bill. Watch his session with the press below.

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S.B. 32 - Rainwater Harvesting Bill

S.B. 32, the rainwater harvesting bill, was passed in the senate today and will now be sent to the House of Representatvies for further consideration. The bill is designed to allow you to collect some of the rainwater that falls upon your property.

Utah law currently states that the water belongs to the person who owns the water rights to your property, not necessarily the property owner. If this bill is passed by the house and signed by the governor you will be able to legally collect some of the rainfall on your property and use it to water your lawn and gardens. You can hear today's floor debate on S.B. 32 here.

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Rep. Bishop Speaks with the Senate

The senate welcomed a special visitor to the senate floor today. Rep. Rob Bishop, our representative in the U.S. House of Representatives for Utah's first distict, gave the members of the senate a report on the activity taking place in the federal government back in Washington D.C.

Rep. Bishop spoke on his plan to promote federalism this year in his efforts with the United States Congress. Rep. Bishop stated that federalism, "is not only the solution to our problems, it is the salvation of this country going into the future." Rep. Bishop continued, "...if you want creativity and if you want efficiency, and if you want the problem solved where people actually have access, this is the level in which it has to take place, not in Washington."

You can hear the speech in it's entirety here.

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Feb. 1: 11:45 a.m. Media Briefing

If you missed this morning's media Q&A, you can watch the youtube video of the session here. The media spoke with Sen. Christensen about his bill, SB36, and followed up with senate leaders on the anti-discrimination study bill that was announced on Friday.

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