Here are the highlights from Week Three of the Utah Legislature.
Constituent News
Visitors to the Capitol
I always love hosting neighbors and friends at the Capitol. This week’s guests included Timpview High School AP Government students, teachers from Provo School District, Provo City Police Chief, Physician Assistants, and students from Westside Elementary in Springville. If you would like to visit the capitol, please let me or my intern know a few days in advance so we can make arrangements to meet and give you a chance to visit the House Floor.
 Provo School District Teachers Visiting the House Floor |
 Westside Elementary Students |
Photo Highlights
For a photographic overview of my week, please take a look at the Photo Highlights for Week 3
Big Issues
With Medicaid now behind use, focus is turning to the other elephant in the room – taxes and budgets.
- Budget Priorities – All of the subcommittees have completed their work to prioritize potential spending items. My committee (Social Services) leaned heavily toward funding programs to help those who are the most vulnerable among us, including those with disabilities and children raised in poverty who are now raising children in poverty.
- Tax Reform – We started hearing how the concept of “Broaden the Base and Lower the Rate” will provide two benefits – 1) It will provide a more predictable and stable source of revenue for general government (including Medicaid) and 2) It will spread the tax burden more broadly and fairly and for most people result in a tax cut.
- Election Issues – There is also growing interest in looking at ways to improve the election process and system.
My Bills – A status update
A complete list of my bills and proposals is available online along with the current status of each. Here is a summary of those that are actively progressing through the process.
Bills Making Progress
HB0094 – Clarifies when it is a crime to carry a dangerous weapon while intoxicated and outlines specific exceptions. Passed out of committee and was sent to the House Floor for consideration.
HB0150 – Creates industry standards for the safe operation of trampoline parks (or “jump gyms”) in order to protect the safety of children using those parks. Passed out of the House and was sent to a Senate committee for a hearing.
HB0226 – Puts forward a framework for people who participate in competency-based eduction to obtain a competency-based license. Passed out of committee and was sent to the House Floor for consideration.
HR002 – Changes the House Rules regarding floor guests and clarifies that representatives can invite guests to be with them on the house floor (except lobbyists) and sets appropriate limitations.
HJR016 – Sets forward a written policy for when and how the government should limit the right of people to pursue an honest vocation, trade or occupation. Passed out of committee and was sent to the House Floor for consideration.
Other Bills Coming Up
HB0267 – Requires the Department of Health to request permission from the federal government to create a wholesale drug importation program so that prescription drugs that are available in Canada at a lower cost can be made available at local pharmacies in a safe manner.
