S.C.R. 1

1

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR PREPARATIONS
2 FOR YEAR 2000
3 1999 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Scott N. Howell
6 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR URGING
7 THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS AND THE CITIZENS OF UTAH TO PREPARE FOR
8 THE POTENTIAL CHALLENGES OF THE YEAR 2000 EVENT.
9 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
10 WHEREAS, the Year 2000 Event, commonly referred to as Y2K, has prompted concerns
11 among businesses, governments, and people throughout the world about the safety and security of
12 information stored in computer files and the reliability of systems which rely on that information;
13 WHEREAS, longstanding computer file storage protocol relies on a two-digit designation
14 for the correct year;
15 WHEREAS, the double zero designation currently refers to computer data for the year
16 1900, which means that the processing, transmitting, or receiving of date data from, into, and
17 between the 20th and 21st centuries could be compromised;
18 WHEREAS, many industry experts are predicting that, unless a solution can be found,
19 resulting computer failures could incapacitate systems that are essential to the functioning of
20 markets, commerce, consumer products, utilities, government, and safety and defense systems;
21 WHEREAS, Y2K could also disrupt the performance of embedded computer chips that are
22 relied upon by a variety of systems and equipment, from automated elevators to satellites;
23 WHEREAS, the security of personal, corporate and government assets and information,
24 and vast automated computer systems which society has become dependent upon for the delivery
25 of many goods and services, are being questioned in light of Y2K;
26 WHEREAS, estimates of the impact of this problem on business, government, and citizens
27 range from minimal inconvenience to extreme disruption;

28 WHEREAS, during this time of uncertainty, it is prudent to prepare for any period of
29 transition that may prove necessary until the normal flow of goods and services resumes;
30 WHEREAS, a supply of drinking water, food, and other essentials sufficient to sustain life
31 during a possible disruption should be the goal of every individual and family;
32 WHEREAS, these efforts need not, and should not, be approached with hurry or panic, but
33 in a thoughtful, measured manner that reflects careful planning to meet personal and family needs;
34 and
35 WHEREAS, while serious efforts are well underway to ensure that there is minimal or no
36 disruption due to Y2K, planning for a disruption will fortify Utahns with that added measure of
37 assurance born of preparation:
38 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
39 Governor concurring therein, urge the citizens of the state to make reasoned and rational
40 preparations for the Year 2000 Event that will allow them to weather potential disruptions.
41 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Department of
42 Public Safety and the members of Utah's congressional delegation.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-4-99 8:47 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel