MINUTES OF THE

SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

STANDING COMMITTEE

Room 415, Utah State Capitol

February 6, 2015

Members Present: Sen. Margaret Dayton, Chair

Sen. Luz Escamillia

Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard

Sen. David P. Hinkins

Sen. Alvin B. Jackson

Sen. Daniel W. Thatcher

Staff Present: Rich North, Policy Analyst

Brooke Parrish, Committee Secretary

NOTE: A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes.

Chair Dayton called the meeting to order at 2:07 p.m.

MOTION: Sen. Jackson moved to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2015, meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Escamillia, Sen. Hinkins and Sen. Thatcher absent for the vote.

S.B. 73 Office of State Debt Collection Amendments (Sen. L. Hillyard)

Sen. Hillyard explained the bill to the committee.

Spoke to the bill: Mr. Jacob Franklin, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Debt Collection

MOTION: Sen. Hinkins moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Thatcher absent for the vote.

MOTION: Sen. Hinkins moved the bill be placed on the Consent Calendar. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Thatcher absent for the vote.

S.B. 69 Clean-burning Fuel for Motor Pools (Sen. S. Jenkins)

Sen. Jenkins explained the bill to the committee.

Spoke to the bill: Mr. Rich Amon, Executive Deputy Director, Utah Department of Administrative Services

Mr. Cameron Diehl, Government Relations Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns

MOTION: Sen. Hinkins moved to proceed with the next agenda item. The motion passed with Sen. Escamillia voting in opposition.

S.J.R. 2 Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution – Rights of Political Parties (Sen. S. Jenkins)

Sen. Jenkins explained the bill to the committee. He distributed the handout “The Caucus Convention System” to the committee.

Spoke for the bill: Mr. James Evans, Chairman, Utah Republican Party

Spoke against the bill: Jenn Gonnelly, Co-President, League of Women Voters of Utah

MOTION: Sen. Hinkins moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed with Sen. Escamillia voting in opposition.

Sen. Dayton relinquished the chair to Sen. Hinkins.

S.B. 43 Closed Primary Amendments (Sen. S. Jenkins)

Sen. Jenkins explained the bill to the committee.

MOTION: Sen. Hillyard moved to replace S.B. 43 with 1^st Sub. S.B. 43. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Dayton absent for the vote.

Spoke to the bill: Mr. Mark Thomas, Chief Deputy, Directors of Elections, Lieutenant Governor’s Office

Spoke for the bill: Mr. James Evans, Chairman, Utah Republican Party

Spoke against the bill: Lynda Pipkin, citizen

MOTION: Sen. Hillyard moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed with Sen. Escamillia voting in opposition Sen. Dayton absent for the vote.

MOTION: Sen. Thatcher moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

Chair Hinkins adjourned the meeting at 3:26 p.m.

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Sen. Margaret Dayton, Chair