January 22, 2002
MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. John E. Swallow, Chair
Rep. Doug Aagard, Vice Chair
Rep. Sheryl L. Allen
Rep. Chad E. Bennion
Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow
Rep. Eric Hutchings
Rep. Ty McCartney
Rep. Gordon E. Snow
Rep. Stephen H. Urquhart
MEMBERS ABSENT: Rep. Ralph Becker
Rep. Martin R. Stephens
Rep. David Ure
STAFF PRESENT: Richard North, Research Analyst
Sharron Corelli, Committee Secretary
VISITORS: List of visitors on file
Chair John E. Swallow called the meeting to order at 8:55 a.m.
H.B. 59 Municipal Telephone Utilities Amendments (D. Cox)
Rep. Cox introduced the bill and explained it to the committee with the assistance of Mr. David Irvine, Attorney, Eagle Mountain, and distributed a handout, Incumbent's Basic Local Exchange Rates in Rural Utah.
Rep. Bennion asked for clarification on whether or not Eagle Mountain City would be coming back for additional funds later.
Mr. Irvine responded that the current Eagle Mountain City Council did not intend to.
Rep. Bennion requested it be made clear that the intent of this legislation is for a limited access to the Universal Service Fund (USF), and that access terminates on May 6, 2006, as specified in the bill.
Mr. John Newman, Eagle Mountain City, and Mr. Jerry King, City Attorney, Eagle Mountain City, spoke in favor of the bill and addressed clarifying questions to the committee.
Mr. Tom Bingham, President, Utah Manufacturer's Association, spoke against the bill.
Rep. Allen addressed concerns of the committee with the suggestion that intent language be spread across the House Journal indicating that Eagle Mountain City's access to the USF end on May 6, 2006 as specified in the bill.
Members of the committee addressed several issues including possible precedent setting action if this bill were to pass.
MOTION: Rep. Bennion moved to pass the bill out favorably with suggested intent language.
SUBSTITUTE
MOTION: Rep. Urquhart moved to table the bill.
MOTION: Rep. Bennion moved to adjourn. The motion passed.
Chair Swallow adjourned the meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Rep. John E. Swallow, Chair