MINUTES OF THE

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS INTERIM COMMITTEE

Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 2:00 p.m. - Room 405 State Capitol



Members Present:

Sen. John W. Hickman, Senate Chair

Rep. Craig W. Buttars, House Chair

Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard

Sen. Millie M. Peterson

Rep. Eli H. Anderson

Rep. Ron Bigelow

Rep. DeMar "Bud" Bowman

Rep. Don E. Bush

Rep. Neil A. Hansen

Rep. Neal B. Hendrickson

Rep. Peggy Wallace

Rep. Bradley A. Winn

Members Absent:

Sen. Ron Allen

President Al Mansell



Staff Present:

Mr. John Q. Cannon, Research Analyst

Mr. John L. Fellows, Associate General Counsel

Ms. Cassandra Bauman, Legislative Secretary



Note: A list of others present and a copy of materials can be found at http://image.le.utah.gov/imaging/history.asp or by contacting the committee secretary, Cassandra Bauman, at 538-1032.



1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes



Chair Buttars called the meeting to order at 2:21 p.m. Chair Buttars excused Sen. Allen from the meeting.



MOTION: Rep. Bush moved to approve the minutes of the April 24 and April 26, 2002 meetings. The motion passed unanimously.



2. Utah Department of Transportation Material Specifications - Pipe Culverts



This item was not discussed. Mr. Cannon indicated that the Legislative Management Committee disapproved the Committee's study of this item.



3. Lease of Rio Grande Café Depot



Mr. Cannon briefed the Committee on this issue and its resolution. He distributed an article from the May 22, 2002 Salt Lake Tribune "Staying Put, The Landmark Rio Grande Café Gets a New Lease on Life" and "Archives-Rio Grande Options" as prepared by the Legislative Fiscal Analyst Office.



Mr. Kevin Walthers, Fiscal Analyst, Legislative Fiscal Analyst Office, indicated that the Executive Appropriations Committee has been studying this issue for some time. He discussed the need for State Archives to be relocated because of asbestos and remodeling. He stated that relocation of the State Archives must be completed within the next 2 years to allow reconstruction of the State Capitol to proceed. He explained the options as outlined in the Archives report.



Committee discussion followed.



Mr. Pete Henderson, Owner, Rio Grande Café, expressed gratitude for the outcome of the situation and noted his availability to discuss the issue further.



Committee discussion followed.



4. Election Law Issues



Mr. Fellows discussed election law issues generally. He noted that both houses of Congress passed election reform legislation and are currently in conference committee to reconcile the legislation and discussed the possible impact on the state. He also discussed litigation regarding voter fraud, inappropriate accommodations at the polls, and different voting mechanisms potentially impacting equal protection.



Ms. Olene S. Walker, Lieutenant Governor, State of Utah, indicated that, with the federal legislation, the state will likely have minor changes regarding the provisional ballot and Utah's statewide database. She indicated that federal funds will have to be matched with local funds from the state or counties.



Lt. Governor Walker indicated that the problems with the changes to election laws may result from the cost for accommodations for the disabled, voter identification, and defining what is considered a "vote." She also explained that the lack of sufficient funds may cause a problem in improving Utah's election process.



Committee discussion followed.



Mr. Keith Haynes, Election Judge, asked the Committee for clarification concerning the 2002 Primary Election with the pending Supreme Court litigation. Committee discussion followed.



5. Adjourn



MOTION: Sen. Peterson moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Buttars adjourned the meeting at 3:11 p.m.