Legislative Management Committee

million in state General Fund, $23.7 million in state school funds, and $45.3 million in statewide local government revenue. Mr. Fowler reviewed the detail in the estimated summary fiscal impacts on the General Fund, School Funds, Sports Authority Special Revenue Fund, and Post Games Legacy Fund for fiscal years 1998 - 2003. He reported that the overall cost of public safety services will be shared by federal, state, and local governments, although the portion covered by each governmental entity has not been determined. A federal grant of $2 million has been received to initiate the planning process and additional federal funds are anticipated. Mr. Fowler outlined security interests and assured the committee that Utah has a secure financial position regarding the Olympics. He then highlighted key transportation projects that will be accelerated from the long range transportation plan for completion by 2002.

    Mr. Fowler explained that the Utah Athletic Foundation (UAF) was established by the Legislature to own and operate state-built Olympic facilities following the games. He said that given the 2 to 3 year time frame for scheduling major international events, it is not too soon to develop an organizational structure and mission for the UAF.

    Mr. Fowler recommended a conceptional framework be considered to address a fair and equitable approach to cover the costs incurred by state and local governments resulting from the increase in visitors coming to Utah during the Olympics.

     MOTION: Rep. Martin Stephens moved to adjourn the Executive Appropriations Committee portion of the meeting at 4:05 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.

2.     Approval of the May 19, 1998 Minutes

    MOTION: Sen. Hull moved to approve the minutes of the May 19, 1998 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Barth and Rep. Fox-Finlinson were absent for the vote.

3.    September Site Visit - Rep. Tom Hatch introduced members of the site visit planning committee: Nan Groves Anderson, Bruce Fullmer, and Karen Glaizer. Rep. Hatch then distributed "Tentative Schedule of Events, Legislative Summer Site Visit, September 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 1998" and reviewed the proposed agenda in detail . He recommended the committee approve an additional night of lodging for the Legislature because of the travel distance for many members.

    MOTION: Sen Blackham moved to authorize funding for lodging on Tuesday September 1st. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Barth and Rep. Fox-Finlinson were absent for the vote.

    Chair Beattie expressed appreciation to Rep. Hatch and the members of the planning committee for their work on behalf of the Legislature. The committee discussed the possibility of using state vans for travel during the site visit.
    
4.     1999 Site Visit Proposal - Mr. Strong reported that only one proposal for the 1999 site visit was submitted and the proposal was from Sen. Hillyard, Sen. Montgomery, Rep. Ure, and Rep. Evans on behalf of Wasatch, Summit, and Morgan Counties . They stated that a visit would be advantageous to the Legislature and the region as many of the Olympic 2002 events will be hosted in these counties and because these counties have been highly impacted by growth issues. Mr. Strong reviewed the proposal including suggested sites, issues to be addressed, and a tentative schedule.

    Sen. Dmitrich requested that the Legislature consider a visit to the Castle Country area in 2000.

     MOTION: Sen. Hillyard moved to approve a 1999 Legislative Site Visit to Wasatch, Summit, and Morgan Counties . The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Barth and Rep. Fox- Finlinson were absent for the vote.

5.    Health and Human Services Interim Committee Study Request - Mr. Strong reviewed a request from the Health and Human Services Interim Committee for authorization to study the use and regulation of "date rape" drugs. The committee noted that three of their original study items will not be ready for consideration by the committee this interim.

     MOTION: Sen. Howell moved to authorize the study of "date rape" drugs by the Health and Human Services Interim Committee. The motion passed unanimously. Speaker Brown, Sen. Blackham, Rep. Barth, Rep. Fox-Finlinson, and Rep. Garn were absent for the vote.

6.    Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee Study Request - Mr. Strong presented a request by the Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee to modify the items submitted for study this year. The modification consists of combining slamming with telecommunication competition and regulation, and adding a review of the Public Service Commission.

     MOTION: Sen. Hillyard moved to approve the request of the Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee to modify their study items as proposed. The motion passed unanimously. Speaker Brown, Sen. Blackham, Rep. Barth, Rep. Fox-Finlinson, and Rep. Garn were absent for the vote.

7.    Government Operations Interim Committee Request for a Subcommittee - Mr. Strong reviewed a request from the Government Operations Interim Committee for authorization to establish a subcommittee to study ethics reform. Mr. Strong commented that ethics was approved as a committee study item at the May 19, 1998 Legislative Management Committee meeting. No action was taken on the request.

8.    Actions Regarding Budget Subcommittee Recommendations - Chair Beattie announced that this item would be discussed after agenda item 9.

9.    Legislative Information Technology Coordinator - Speaker Brown noted that technology has become a major part of the legislative process. He questioned how the legislature's system of technology should be managed and whether or not the current structure properly addresses its needs and concerns. He suggested it might be time to consider creating a full-time position and hire another person to coordinate the legislature's information technology. He emphasized the need to address the areas of efficiency and consistency.

     MOTION: Rep. Garn moved to authorize Speaker Brown and President Beattie to come back to the committee with their recommendations regarding a Legislative Information Technology Coordinator at a subsequent meeting.

    SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Sen. Howell moved to have the Legislative Automation Committee make recommendations to the Legislative Management Committee regarding a Legislative Information Technology Coordinator and that members of the Legislative Management Committee be invited to give their input. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Barth and Rep. Fox-Finlinson were absent for the vote.

8.    Actions Regarding Budget Subcommittee Recommendations

     MOTION: Sen. Blackham moved to recess for five minutes and to then reconvene in a closed meeting of the Legislative Management Committee for the purpose of discussing the character and professional competence of individuals being considered for the position of Legislative Fiscal Analyst. Chair Beattie noted that this motion requires a two-thirds vote. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Barth and Rep. Fox-Finlinson were absent for the vote .

    The committee went into a closed meeting at 4:55 p.m.

    The committee reconvened at 6:05 p.m. Chair Beattie announced that the Legislative Management Committee would recess until 11:45 a.m. on July 15, 1998. He stated that the committee anticipates going into a closed meeting at that time and then making the decision on the new Legislative Fiscal Analyst in an open meeting.

     MOTION: Speaker Brown moved that the committee recess until July 15, 1998 at 11:45 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. Rep. Barth and Rep. Fox-Finlinson were absent for the vote .

    Chair Beattie reconvened the meeting of the Legislative Management Committee on July 15, 1998 at 11:55 a.m.

     MOTION: Rep. Valentine moved that the Legislative Management Committee close its meeting for discussion of individuals as specifically provided in the Open and Public Meetings law. The motion passed unanimously. Sen. Blackham was absent for the vote.

    The committee went into a closed meeting at 12:00 p.m.

    Chair Beattie reconvened the meeting at 12:15 p.m. and expressed appreciation to Mr. Leo Memmott for his service as Fiscal Analyst to the Legislature. He commented that this deliberation has taken a great deal more time and effort than had been anticipated. He thanked the subcommittee members for their time and work in carefully reviewing the 48 applications for this position and holding numerous interviews before arriving at the final six candidates.

     MOTION: Sen. Blackham moved that the Legislative Management Committee appoint John Massey as the Fiscal Analyst for the Utah State Legislature effective August 1, 1998. The motion passed unanimously. Sen. Howell was absent for the vote.

    Chair Beattie congratulated Mr. Massey on behalf of the Legislative Management Committee and expressed appreciation to all the other candidates.

10.    Other Business - No other business was discussed.


11.    Adjournment

    MOTION: Rep. Jones moved to adjourn the meeting at 12:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.