MINUTES OF THE
HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 • 1:15 p.m. • 445 State Capitol


Members Present:
Sen. Keith Grover, Senate Chair
Rep. Michael K. McKell, House Chair
Rep. Susan Duckworth, House Vice Chair
Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard
Sen. Karen Mayne
Sen. Ann Millner
Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson
Sen. Evan J. Vickers
Rep. Melissa G. Ballard
Rep. Jon Hawkins
Rep. Kelly B. Miles
Rep. Rex P. Shipp
Rep. Mark A. Strong
Rep. Mark A. Wheatley

Members Absent:
Sen. Deidre M. Henderson

Staff Present:
Mr. Sean C. Faherty, Financial Analyst
Ms. Lorna Wells, Session Secretary
Ms. Emily Willis, Financial Analyst

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

1. Call to Order
House Chair McKell called the meeting to order at 1:24 p.m.
2. A Performance Audit of the University of Utah's Laboratory Safety Practices
Office of Legislative Auditor General Presentation
Mr. Brian Dean, Audit Manager, introduced the audit.
3-A Performance Audit of the University of Utah's Laboratory Safety Practices - May 2019
Mr. Tim Bereece, Audit Supervisor, discussed the findings of the audit.
Senate Chair Grover assumed the chair.
Sen. Mayne commented on the audit.
Rep. Miles asked if the University has taken steps to improve the situation. Mr. Bereece responded and Mr. Dean also responded.
Rep. Miles asked why there were so many recurrences of the same problems. Mr. Bereece responded.
Rep. McKell asked about the authority to shut down a lab where necessary and what would happen next if corrections are not made. Mr. Bereece responded.
Agency Response
Mr. Andy Weyrich, VP for Research gave an update regarding U of U Laboratory Safety.
3a-2019-06 U of U Lab Safety - Higher Ed Approps 10-15-19 - OLAG
3b-UoU - Lab Safety Update - Oct 15, 2019
Mr. Frederick Monette, Executive Director of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, discussed some of the major actions that have been taken to improve health and safety at the U of U.
Rep. Ballard commented on steps that have been taken. She requested that this reporting structure be shared with Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).
Mr. Weyrich mentioned that their plan is being published, and they will be reaching out to other USHE institutions.
3. Performance Measures Report
Mr. Sean Faherty, Finance Officer, Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst, gave some background information regarding the performance measures from the 2018 Legislative Session.
4-S.B.1 - 2018 GS - Performance Measures - Copy of Legislation
Utah System of Higher Education (USHE)
Mr. Richard Amon, Associate Commissioner, USHE, discussed the Legislative Brief regarding USHE performance measures.
4a-Legislative Brief - SB1 Performance Measures - USHE
Utah System of Technical Colleges (UTECH)
Ms. Kim Ziebarth, Associate Commissioner, UTECH introduced the performance measures report.
Mr. Zachary Barrus, Assistant Commissioner, UTECH, presented the preliminary findings of the report specifically relating to S.B. 1 from the 2019 Legislative Session.
4b-UTECH Intent Language Presentation - Utah System of Technical Colleges
Rep. Ballard suggested completion rates may be improved by working more with local businesses to provide incentives and scholarships. Ms. Ziebarth responded.
Rep. Ballard asked for recommendations for better performance metrics rather than FTEs. Mr. Barrus responded.
Sen. Stevenson commented on marketing the value of completion rather than the present cost of this training.
Sen. Mayne discussed the importance of certificates and licensing. Ms. Ziebarth responded.
MOTION: Rep. McKell moved to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2019 meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 9-0-6.
Yeas - 9Nays-0Abs-6
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. S. Duckworth
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. M. McKell
Rep. R. Shipp
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. M. Wheatley
Sen. D. Henderson
Sen. L. Hillyard
Sen. K. Mayne
Rep. K. Miles
Sen. A. Millner
Sen. E. Vickers
4. HJR 18 (2019 GS) August Presentation Follow-Up
Mr. Faherty explained that some of the meeting materials are available on the meeting page.
Analyst Presentation
5a-HJR 18 October Options LFA Presentation
Agency Response
Mr. Richard Amon, Associate Commissioner, USHE discussed the line item recommendations.
5b-USHE Line Item Recommendations - Utah System of Higher Education
Motions and Voting
Mr. Faherty discussed the motions packet based on HJR 18.
5c-HJR 18 Motions - 10-15-2019
Rep. Ballard commented about federal dollars for educationally disadvantaged students. Mr. Faherty responded.
Rep. Hawkins asked whether the motions are mutually exclusive. Mr. Faherty responded.
MOTION: Rep. McKell moved to approve Motions 1 through 6 as stated in the motions packet document. The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-4.
Yeas - 11Nays-0Abs-4
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. S. Duckworth
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. J. Hawkins
Rep. M. McKell
Rep. K. Miles
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. R. Shipp
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. M. Wheatley
Sen. D. Henderson
Sen. L. Hillyard
Sen. K. Mayne
Sen. E. Vickers
5. Higher Education Information Technology Services Update
Analyst Presentation
Mr. Faherty introduced the initiatives passed during the last legislative session regarding cloud-based computing.
Utah System of Higher Education
Mr. Amon discussed the cloud-based computing intent language.
6b-USHE Cloud Intent Language SB2 FINAL - Utah System of Higher Education
Mr. Steve Hess, Chief Information Officer of USHE introduced Mr. Corey Roach, U of U Chief Information Officer. Mr. Hess then presented the information regarding cloud-based computing.
Rep. McKell asked about the overall cost-savings if all institutions were to go to cloud-based computing. Mr. Hess responded.
Mr. Amon discussed the state-wide contracts with the UETN partnership of higher education and public education.
Rep. Hawkins asked about implementation costs and specifically WorkDay software. Mr. Hess responded. Rep. Hawkins asked a follow-up question. Mr. Hess responded.
Sen. Millner asked why this wouldn't be done as an entire system. She would also like to have more detail about the amounts spent at each campus. Mr. Hess responded.
Mr. Amon gave more clarification regarding future cloud-based initiatives.
Sen. Millner asked if a system-based migration would be possible. Mr. Hess responded.
Rep. McKell stated that this is a priority for both the Senate and the House and asked for a more concrete plan.
Rep. Ballard mentioned her work with the State Board of Education on this issue. She appreciated the work that has been done.
6. Higher Education Strategic Planning Commission Update
Sen. Millner discussed the preliminary recommendations from NCHEMS.
7-Higher Education Strategic Planning Commission Interim Report Presentation - National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS)
Rep. McKell appreciated Sen. Millner for all of her work.
Chair Grover also thanked Sen. Millner for her work.
Sen. Hillyard mentioned the tremendous need for mental health and medical professionals in business and public service employees.
MOTION: Rep. McKell moved to adjourn. The motion passed with a vote of 13-0-2.
Yeas - 13Nays-0Abs-2
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. S. Duckworth
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. L. Hillyard
Rep. M. McKell
Rep. K. Miles
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. R. Shipp
Sen. J. Stevenson
Rep. M. Strong
Sen. E. Vickers
Rep. M. Wheatley
Sen. D. Henderson
Sen. K. Mayne
Chair Grover adjourned the meeting at 3:40 p.m.