Here are the highlights from the Second Week of the Utah Legislature.
Education Base Budget
This year, the Education Base Budget contains two provisions that set it apart from previous budgets: a 6% weighted-pupil unit increase and $1,500 bonuses for those that have taken risks to keep our kids in the classroom. This is exciting for students and educators alike, particularly given the added difficulty of teaching during a global pandemic. We hope that this additional funding will allow Utah’s education system to better meet the demands of the modern world, and ensure that the next generation of Utahns are well-prepared for the challenges they will certainly face.
Noteworthy Issues
Prescription Drug Accessibility
Those who have been following my previous legislative work will remember that last year I passed a bill both decreasing the cost of insulin for Utahns and allowing pharmacists to refill expired prescriptions in emergency situations. This bill has greatly benefitted Utah’s diabetic community, but there are still many drugs that should be made more affordable and accessible to patients such as inhalers and injectable epinephrine (Epi-Pens). HB206 and HB178 continue the work from last year. In particular HB178 would allow pharmacists to prescribe certain high-value/low-cost drugs for more patients, eliminating the need for unnecessary costly and time-consuming doctor visits. By allowing pharmacists to practice at the top of their licenses, this bill will help ensure that all Utahns have access to the medications they need.
Tax Reductions
We set aside at least $80 million for tax cuts last year, and I am hoping that we can add another $20-25 million to that amount for a modest reduction in income tax for Utah’s citizens. It remains to be seen what form that will take and who will benefit. Here are my top three preferences:
- Restore the child/dependent tax credit that was taken away as part of the federal tax reform
- Implement an exemption for Social Security payments, at least for the lowest-income seniors
- Some form of a tax break for military veteran retirement benefits
Ranked-Choice Voting
Many of you have likely heard about House Bill 127, which would require ranked-choice voting to be used in Utah’s partisan primary elections. While I support Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) in some settings, especially when it can shorten the time or reduce the cost of an election, this may not be such a good idea. While at first glance, ranked-choice voting can seem like a miracle cure for some common complaints with the current system, I have my doubts. For example, one argument in favor of RCV is that it reportedly ensures that the winner of an election receives a majority of the votes. However, it really only ensures that the winner receives a majority of votes counted in the final round, while either excluding or reassigning votes for anyone other than the principal two candidates. I will continue to monitor this proposal.
My Bills – A Status Update
A complete list of my bills is available to view online along with the current status of each. Here is a summary of those that are actively progressing through the process.
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 passed its Senate Committee hearing and is waiting for a Senate vote.
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 scheduled for a Senate committee hearing this week.
HB118 Children’s Hearing Aids Program Amendments modifies the program so that families that have benefitted from the program and other private donors will be invited to pay back into it allowing more children to be served. This bill passed its committee hearing unanimously and will soon be voted on in the House.
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 unanimously passed its committee hearing and will be voted on by the entire House soon.
HB140 Income Tax Revenue Amendments requires that the Legislature take action to either spend or return windfall taxes created by federal action. This bill is waiting to be assigned to a House committee.
HB178 Pharmacy Practice Modifications sets up a process to allow trained professionals to decide how and when pharmacists could prescribe certain high-value/low-risk prescription drugs, cutting down on expenses and time requirements for consumers. This bill has been assigned to the House Business and Labor Committee and could be heard this week.
HB190 Interstate Compact on Curing Diseases will involve Utah in a multi-state group offering prizes for development of cures for certain diseases. This will incentivize researchers to develop cures more quickly, while sharing the cost of the prizes will reduce the cost to Utah. This bill has been assigned to the House Health and Human Services Committee and will soon have its hearing.
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 passed its committee hearing this week and will now receive its final House vote before moving to the Senate.
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 for its hearing in the House Government Operations 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 will be voted on in the Senate this week.
