Here are the highlights from the First Week of the Utah Legislature.
Legislature is Functioning in Challenging Times
In spite of the changes we have had to make due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the first week of the 2021 General Session has been a productive one. Three of my bills have already passed the House and are now waiting to be heard in the Senate, with eight more drafted, numbered and waiting to be heard in the House.
Citation for BYU Men’s Volleyball
On Friday, January 22, I was happy to welcome representatives from the BYU Men’s Volleyball team to the Capitol as I presented them with a House citation in recognition of their number 1 status at the end of the 2020 Season. BYU Men’s Volleyball has long been one of the top teams in the nation, so it was good to give them the recognition they deserved in spite of last season’s being cut short by the pandemic.
Rep. Thurston with First Team All-Americans Davide Gardini and Wil Stanley, and MPSF Coach of the Year, Shawn Olmstead from the BYU Men’s Volleyball Team.
Thoughts on Some Key Issues
Tax Reform
As always, providing a meaningful tax reduction remains a priority. With $80 million available to spend on reducing the tax burden on Utahns, I am hopeful that this year we will succeed in passing meaningful tax cuts and in restoring the Dependent Tax Credit. The four leading options are:
- Restore the Dependent Exemption that was eliminated by federal tax reform
- Eliminate taxation of Social Security benefits for low income seniors
- Remove the income tax on military veterans’ retirement
- An across the board reduction in the overall income tax rate (currently 4.95%)
As more information on potential tax reform options becomes available, I will post about it here.
Second Amendment Rights
HB60, sponsored by Representative Walt Brooks, will allow citizens who can already “openly carry” weapons to carry concealed without a permit. In addition to preserving the constitutionally guaranteed right to keep and bear arms, this bill will protect citizens from inadvertently breaking the law. According to current legislation, it is legal to open carry a firearm without a permit; however, if the individual puts on a coat or other article of clothing that covers the firearm a permit is suddenly required. HB60 will remove this inconsistency in our laws.
Intergenerational Poverty
Sadly, poverty often becomes a cycle spanning several generations as children of impoverished parents struggle to become financially successful. The key to finding a solution is education that leads to marketable job skills. Once again, I am sponsoring a bill (HB125) that will incentivize parents to save for their children’s future education; research shows that education and vocational training are critical to escaping from poverty. I don’t know if this is the right time to commit the necessary funding, but I can’t think of a better solution for this problem nor one that doesn’t require money.
Occupational Licensing
Gov. Cox’s first executive order requires the executive branch to identify unnecessary limitations on people’s ability to perform work they are trained and capable of. You will probably hear a lot more about those efforts as the session proceeds. I intend to be part of that discussion. For example, although pharmacists have doctoral-level training that qualifies them to prescribe drugs in certain circumstances, under current law, they are not allowed to practice at the top of their license. HB178 will amend the law to allow pharmacists to prescribe more drugs for certain conditions. This will reduce the strain on the health care system and allow Utahns better access to the treatment they need quickly and affordably.
Weekly Highlights
My Bills for 2021
HB11 Department of Human Services Budgetary Procedures Amendments allows the executive director of the Department of Human Services to move excess funds from department programs to three priority programs. This bill will have a Senate committee hearing this week.
HB40 Tax Status Disclosure Amendments requires the State Tax Commission to disclose to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission whether or not an applicant for an alcohol license is current on paying their taxes. This bill has passed the House and is waiting to be heard by a Senate committee.
HB118 Children’s Hearing Aids Program Amendments establishes a sliding scale to determine how much aid is provided to families under this program, ensuring that the families with the greatest financial need will receive the greatest amount of aid. This bill is still waiting to be assigned to a House committee.
HB125 Intergenerational Poverty Solution provides incentives for parents to save for their children’s future education, helping to break the chain of intergenerational poverty. This bill is awaiting assignment to a House committee.
HB139 Competency Based Hiring Amendments prevents government entities from setting minimum educational requirements for most jobs, allowing hiring departments to focus instead on finding the most qualified and experienced candidates. This bill will have a House committee hearing this week.
HB140 Income Tax Revenue Amendments creates a restricted account to be used for storing surplus income tax. This bill is waiting to be assigned to a House committee.
HB178 Pharmacy Practice Modifications will allow pharmacists to prescribe certain prescription drugs, cutting down on expenses and time requirements for consumers. This bill is waiting to be assigned to a House committee.
HB190 Interstate Compact on Curing Diseases will involve Utah in a multi-state group offering prizes for development of cures and effective treatments for diseases. This will incentivize people to develop cures more quickly, while sharing the cost of the prizes will reduce the cost to Utah. This bill is waiting to be assigned to a House committee.
HB202 Health Care Consumer Protection Act prohibits health care providers from falsely claiming to be part of a customer’s contracted provider network. This bill is waiting to be assigned to a House committee.
HB211 Initiatives and Referenda Amendments makes the language in the laws regarding initiatives and referenda more consistent and loosens some of the requirements to sponsor a referendum petition. This bill is waiting to be assigned to a House committee.
HJR1 Joint Resolution Recognizing the Success of the Utah Medicaid Accountable Care Program congratulates the Utah Medicaid accountable care program on its success. It has passed the House and is working its way through the Senate.
