Business, Labor, and Economic Development Interim Committee
Members Present:
Sen. L. Steven Poulton, Chair
Rep. Peter C. Knudson, Chair
Sen. David L. Buhler
Sen. Michael G. Waddoups
Rep. Gerry A. Adair
Rep. Eli H. Anderson
Rep. Patrice M. Arent
Rep. Steve Barth
Rep. Afton B. Bradshaw
Rep. Wayne A. Harper
Rep. Bradley T. Johnson
Rep. Loraine T. Pace
Rep. Glenn L. Way
Rep. David L. Zolman, Sr.
Members Excused:
Sen. Eddie "Ed" P. Mayne
Rep. Katherine M. Bryson
Rep. Don E. Bush
Rep. Brad King
Staff Present:
Ms. Mary Catherine Perry,
Research Analyst
Ms. Patricia Owen,
Associate General Counsel
Ms. Beverlee LeCheminant,
Legislative Secretary
Note: Names of others present and copies of information distributed at the meeting are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.
1. Call to Order - Rep. Knudson called the meeting to order at 2:25 p.m.
2. Committee Business -
MOTION: Rep. Adair moved to approve the minutes of the July 15, 1998 meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Sen. Buhler and Rep. Barth were absent for the vote.
Rep. Knudson told the committee that Sen. Wharton has been placed on the Education Interim Committee for the remainder of this interim period.
Ms. Patricia Owen, Associate General Counsel, reminded the committee of the potential acts and commissions that are scheduled to sunset this year and indicated that staff has sent a letter to the agencies asking them to submit some statutory information. That information is due on September 1st and based on that information, the chairs will determine whether the committee needs an oral presentation from the agencies involved.
3. Report on Research Involving Quasi-governmental Entities - Ms. Patricia Owen, Associate General Counsel, gave a brief overview of research conducted by the office related to: exemptions for quasi-governmental entities from oversight statutes; the state liability, if any, associated with quasi-governmental entities; and the legislative options if the Legislature elects to change the nature
or operations of one or more quasi-governmental entity. A copy of Ms. Owen's slide presentation
is on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.
Mr. Auston Johnson, State Auditor's Office, said that in 1996 at the request of this committee
the State Auditor's Office created a working group to look at quasi-governmental entities and the
working group recommended creating in legislation a uniform approach to quasi-governmental
entities. Mr. Johnson then discussed draft legislation following this approach.
Committee discussion followed.
4. Impact Fee Arbitration Legislation - Sen. Poulton told the committee that impact fees charged by special districts and some political subdivisions have been under scrutiny for a number
of years and realtors and homebuilders have some serious concerns with the amount that is being
charged and the use of the impact fee monies that are obtained. He indicated that the current
recourse, if there is an abuse, calls for significant effort on the part of those who may disagree with
it, whether they be within the city or within the political subdivision.
Sen. Poulton explained that the "Impact Fee Arbitration" legislation allows parties to request
arbitration when an impact fee is challenged. He stated that the bill does not solve all problems
related to impact fees, but would help the developers or builders if the impact fee was charged or
used improperly.
Mr. Gary Crane, Layton City Attorney, stated that the Utah League of Cities and Towns
(League) agrees that the legislation provides individuals with an avenue or forum to be able to have
their complaints heard quickly. He said that the League is mindful of the obligation it has to meet
with the realtors and the Homebuilders Association and is presently involved in putting together a
memorandum of understanding to see if they can come to a conclusion regarding impact fees.
MOTION: Sen. Poulton moved to vote the bill "Impact Fee Arbitration" out with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed unanimously. Sen. Buhler and Rep. Barth were absent for the
vote.
5. 2002 Olympic Winter Games - Ms. Mary Catherine Perry, Research Analyst, gave a brief overview of Olympic issues studied by the committee in the past and those currently before the
committee.
Ms. Natalie Gochnour, Manager, Division of Demographic and Economic Analysis, Governor's
Office of Planning and Budget, distributed a 2002 Olympic Winter Games Economic Demographic
and Fiscal Impacts Summary and highlighted elements of the report.
Mr. John Fowler, State Olympic Coordinator, distributed the State of Utah Estimated Fiscal Impacts from the 2002 Olympic Winter Games Report and highlighted pages six and seven of the report.
Ms. Shelley Thomas, Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games (SLOC), reported on SLOC's current and future needs for employees and volunteers; budgeting process; public affairs efforts; and media housing options.
Mr. Mark Tanner, Chief Financial Officer for SLOC, said SLOC's ticketing policy has to have the approval of the International Olympic Committee. He stated that SLOC is planning to meet with the International Olympic Committee and make a proposal regarding ticketing in December of 1999. After SLOC makes that proposal, it will have more detail about the ticketing policy.
Mr. Tanner said that SLOC is in the process of calculating the capacity of each venue and making up the sports schedule and would like to have those two items finalized by no later than April 1999.
6. Adjourn
MOTION: Rep. Zolman moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Sen. Buhler, and Reps. Barth and Adair were absent for the vote.
[Back to the Interim Directory][Back to the Monthly Schedule][Back to the Committee Listing] Utah State Legislature