Note: Pursuant to Legislative Rule Sections JR7-1-305 and JR7-1-606, the chairs of the Business and Labor Interim Committee have elected not to receive public comment on any agenda items, with the exception of item #4, “Fourth Special Session Legislation”.

 

1.    Committee Business

·         Call to order

·         Approval of the minutes of the June 19, 2024, meeting

 

2.    OPLR Annual Review: Policy Recommendations

The committee will receive a presentation from the Office of Professional Licensure Review providing recommendations for statutory changes based on their review of licensing for cosmetology, massage therapy, and building inspectors.

·         Margaret Busse, Executive Director, Department of Commerce

·         Jeff Shumway, Director, Office of Professional Licensure Review

·         Committee discussion

 

3.    Insurance Coverage for Ambulance Supplies

The committee will discuss payment and coverage options for insurance providers with regard to supplies used when providing ambulance services. The committee will discuss adjusting the base rate for emergency services as well as considerations requiring insurance providers to cover certain benefits.

·         Rohnin Randles, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

·         Jeremy Craft, Fire Chief, Lehi City, and Legislative Chair, Utah State Fire Chief Association

·         Clint Smith, Fire Chief, Draper City, and President, Utah State Fire Chief Association

·         Andy Smith, Executive Director, Grant County EMS

·         Mike Sonntag, Executive Director, Utah Health Insurance Association

·         Committee discussion

 

 

4.    Fourth Special Session Legislation

The committee will consider legislation for the 2024 Fourth Special Session, including proposed legislation on the following topics.

 

a.    Initiative and Referendum Process

The committee will consider legislation for the 2024 Fourth Special Session to propose a constitutional amendment to Utah voters that restores the traditional effect of citizen initiatives on Utah laws and protects the initiative and referendum process from foreign funding interference.

 

b.    General Election Ballot Administration

The committee will consider legislation for the 2024 Fourth Special Session to amend provisions related to the administration of the 2024 regular general election to the extent necessary to accommodate placing the above proposed amendment on the ballot for voter consideration.

 

c.     Referendum Signature Gathering Requirements

The committee will consider legislation for the 2024 Fourth Special Session to increase the allowed number of days for referendum sponsors to gather signatures to place a voter referendum on the ballot.

5.    Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy

During the 2024 General Session, the Legislature enacted S.B. 149, Artificial Intelligence Amendments which created within the Department of Commerce the Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy. The office is tasked by statute with administering the artificial intelligence learning laboratory program and providing proposals for regulatory change in the artificial intelligence space. The committee will receive an introduction to the office detailing the office’s duties, objectives, and next steps.

·         Margaret Busse, Executive Director, Department of Commerce

·         Zach Boyd, Director, Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy

·         Committee discussion

 

6.    Consumer Protection Modifications

The committee will receive a presentation from the Division of Consumer Protection on proposed statutory  modifications to Title 13, Commerce and Trade. The committee will consider changes to statutes administered by the Division of Consumer Protection and any other necessary modifications.

·         Katie Hass, Division of Consumer Protection

·         Committee discussion

 

7.    Mortgage Professional Licensing

Licensing for mortgage professionals is currently regulated by Title 61, Chapter 2c, Utah Residential Mortgage Practices and Licensing Act. The committee will receive a presentation from the Division of Real Estate evaluating the statute in conjunction with federal laws and regulations in other states regarding mortgage professionals. The committee will consider modifications of statutory requirements for greater consistency with other states and industry best practices.

·         Leigh Veillette, Director, Division of Real Estate

·         Committee discussion

 

8.    Required Reports

The committee will discuss reports received in accordance with statutory reporting requirements.

·         Utah Motor Vehicle Franchise Advisory Board Report (Utah Code Ann. § 13-14-310)

·         Committee discussion

 

9.    Other Items/Adjourn