Week 5 was short but punchy. We came back from President's Day to a 3rd Reading Calendar chuck full of bills to debate.
But, before we debate any bills, we have to brave the morning commute to the Capitol. NOTE: In order to "reduce speed", you must have speed to begin with.
We recognized Orin Hatch on the House Floor and declared February 21st as Orin Hatch Day. To celebrate this new holiday, we all dressed up like politicians.
The Legislature's love/hate relationship with premium creamy chocolate continues as we restock with consolation prizes to hand legislators after their bills fail. For example...
Our Oversight Committee proposal was panned by the Utah League of Cities and Towns who effectively lobbied a majority of representatives to stick a knife in the bill. The bill has since had the knife pulled out of its heart and is being resuscitated after the city provisions are amputated from the bill language.
We had a serious discussion about tax reform for the state. There are four major bills on their way through the Legislature that realign our tax structure. Combined, they would decrease taxes while shifting some of the tax burden more evenly from one source to others. Two of the bills increase taxes and two of them decrease taxes if passed alone. However, we took no position as a body on the combined package and will be debating each of the bills on their merits. This scenario could prove to be an explosion of excitement as we near the end of the Session.
Congresswoman Mia Love paid us a visit. She candidly shared her feelings about President Trump while Speaker Hughes simultaneously offered us his best poker face.
I presented HB384 at committee which deals with preventing predatory foreclosures on orphaned 2nd mortgages left over from the Great Recession. The committee hearing was heated. You can listen to the presentation HERE. Afterword, we gathered with the Credit Union Association, the Bankers Association, and Lundberg and Associates to forge a path forward. After about 3 hours of discussion we found a way that would appease all parties involved.
You know its been a long day at work when you are almost the last guy to leave.
Quote of the Week
"I hope this bill dies in the Senate."
- Rep. Francis Gibson speaking about his own bill
Mr. Peterson's Bills
HB20 - Political Acitivies and Elections - This bill is sitting on the Governor's desk.
HB80 - Child Placement Amendments - This bill is tabled on the Senate 3nd Reading Calendar.
HB110 - Lobbyist Licencing Amendments - This bill passed committee this week on a 6-3 vote and is scheduled to be heard on the House Floor.
HB126 - Offender Housing Amendments - This bill waits on the Senate 2nd Reading Calendar.
HB193 - National Popular Vote Interstate Compact - This bill is still in possession of our Government Operations Committee.
HB270 - Teacher Employment Amendments - This bill passed Senate Committee unanimously and is on the Senate Consent Calendar.
HB384 - Trust Deeds and Statute of Limitations - This bill, despite the heated discussion, was passed out of committee and sits on the House 3rd Reading Calendar. In an unusual move, the committee opted to move it forward trusting that we would collaborate with stakeholders to come to a consensus solution. That process has occurred and the bill is being redrafted. A substitute bill is forthcoming for stakeholders to review.
Hi Jeremy, thanks for your regular updates on what's happening on the Hill. A question for you on a billl (HB363) proposed by Rep Perry. As you know, Rep. Perry was instrumental in giving a permit for waste disposal to PPL to create a ginormous land-fill on Promontory Point, directly upwind of Weber County. The owners have just recently rescinded their permit-request to accept toxic coal ash from out-of-State, but the language is clear that they will reapply. Meanwhile, Rep. Perry thinks it would be good policy to allow landfills to self-inspect (HB363) and report back every few years. Excuse me? This is the stupidest idea possible. Complete conflict-of-interest / fox-guarding-the-chicken-house etc. whatever you want to call it. We as Utahns are not well-served by this policy and I implore you to vote against it.
ReplyDeletethanks
Iain Hueton
Rep Stratton’s oversight committee bill needs to have the knife put back in - this idea gives too much authority to the legislature, as if more is needed.
ReplyDeleteIain, not sure specifically what your question was in there.
ReplyDeleteJoyce, HB175 (4th sub) is focused now on executive departments and organizes powers powers and authority the Legislature already possesses. It should help the Legislature stay more organized and provide a healthy check for the Executive branch.