MINUTES OF THE
HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
ROOM 405, STATE CAPITOL BUILDING
FEBRUARY 5, 2002
Rep. David Clark, Vice Chair
Rep. Ron Bigelow
Rep. DeMar “Bud” Bowman
Rep. Afton B. Bradshaw
Rep. Don E. Bush
Rep. Carl W. Duckworth
Rep. Neil A. Hansen
Rep. Neal B. Hendrickson
Rep. Patricia W. Jones
Rep. Rebecca Lockhart
STAFF PRESENT: John Cannon, Research Analyst
Sylvia Newton, Committee Secretary
VISITORS: List filed with committee minutes.
Rep. Buttars called the meeting to order at 3:51 p.m.
MOTION: Rep. Hendrickson moved to approve the minutes of the January 31, 2002 meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep.Bradshaw, Rep. Bush, Rep. Duckworth and Rep. Clark absent for the vote.
H.B. 289 Independent Entity Privatization Amendments (M. Stephens)
Rep. Ron Bigelow introduced H.B. 289 and explained it to the committee. He was assisted by Duane Blackley of Utah Technology Finance Corporation.
George Sutton, general counsel to Utah Technology Finance Corporation, responded to questions of committee members.
MOTION: Rep. Lockhart moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Bradshaw and Rep. Duckworth absent for the vote.
H.B. 179 Designation of State Building (G. Way)
Rep. Way introduced H.B. 179 and explained it to the committee.
Spoke in favor of the bill: Raylene Ireland, Director, Department of Administrative Services
MOTION: Rep. Bowman moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed with Rep. Hansen voting in opposition and Rep. Duckworth absent for the vote.
H.J.R. 19 Joint Rules Resolution Requiring Certain Special Session Procedures (C. Bennion)
Rep. Bennion introduced H.J.R. 19 and explained it to the committee.
Spoke in favor of the resolution: Cassie Dippo, Common Cause of Utah
Sandy Peck, League of Women Voters
MOTION: Rep. Jones moved to pass the resolution out favorably. The motion passed unanimously.
H.B. 178 Memorial Plaque of George E. Wahlen in the Capitol (G. Adair)
Rep. Adair introduced H.B. 178 and explained it to the committee.
Spoke in favor of the bill: Terry Schow, Division of Veterans Affairs
MOTION: Rep. Clark moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously.
H.B. 124 Debt Collection Amendments (S. Allen)
MOTION: Rep. Bush moved to adopt in title and body 1st Substitute H.B. 124. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Hansen absent for the vote.
Rep. Allen introduced 1st Substitute H.B. 124 and explained it to the committee.
Spoke in favor of the bill: Raylene Ireland, Director, Department of Administrative Services
Gwen Anderson, Director, Office of State Debt Collection
Roger Autrey, Utah Association of Collectors
MOTION: Rep. Lockhart moved to pass the substitute bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously.
MOTION: Rep. Bradshaw moved to place the bill on the Consent Calendar. The motion failed with Rep. Bigelow and Rep. Hendrickson voting in opposition.
H.B. 98 Amendments to Whistle Blowers Statute (N. Hansen)
MOTION: Rep. Hansen moved to amend the bill as follows:
1. Page 1, line 27: After "employee" insert ", or a person acting on his behalf,"
2. Page 2, line 29: After "engaged" insert "or intended to engage"
3. Page 2, line 30: Delete "subsequently"
The motion to amend passed unanimously.
Rep. Hansen introduced the amended H.B. 98 and explained it to the committee. He was assisted by Mont Evans, representing the Utah Public Employees Association.
Spoke in favor of the bill: Roger Hoole, attorney
Fred Van Der Veur, Utah Public Employees Association
Spoke against the bill: Alan Edwards, Director, Risk Management
Shawn Guzman, Utah Association of Counties
MOTION: Rep. Bowman moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed with Rep. Bush, Rep. Lockhart, Rep. Clark, and Rep. Buttars voting in opposition. Rep. Bigelow and Rep. Bradshaw were absent for the vote.
S.B. 61 Government Records Access and Management - Records Related to Explosives (B. Wright)
Rep. Rebecca Lockhart introduced S.B. 61 and explained it to the committee.
MOTION: Rep. Bush moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Bigelow, Rep. Bradshaw, and Rep. Hendrickson absent for the vote.
MOTION: Rep. Bowman moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Bigelow, Rep. Bradshaw, and Rep. Hendrickson absent for the vote.
The meeting adjourned at 4:21 p.m.
__________________________
Rep. Craig W. Buttars, Chair