MINUTES OF THE SENATE EDUCATION

STANDING COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 29, 2002

Room 414, STATE CAPITOL BUILDING

Members Present: Sen. Bill Wright, Chair

Sen. Ron Allen

Sen. David L. Gladwell

Sen. Karen Hale

Sen. Howard A. Stephenson

Sen. Alicia L. Suazo

Sen. Michael G. Waddoups

Sen. Carlene M. Walker

Members Excused: Sen. D. Chris Buttars

Sen. David H. Steele

Staff Present: Constance C. Steffen, Research Analyst

Saundra Maeser, Secretary

Public Speakers Present: Steven Laing, State Superintendent, Utah State Office of Education

Steven Peterson, Utah School Boards Association

Alan Dayton, Deputy Mayor, Salt Lake County

Visitor list on file.

Chair Wright called the meeting to order at 3:58 p.m.

MOTION: Sen. Allen moved to approve the minutes of January 25, 2002.

The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Walker absent for the vote.

1. S.B. 132 Prohibition of Paid Education Association Leave (B. Wright)

Senator Wright announced the bill would not be considered today.

• H.B. 221 State Board of Education Rules and Reports (M. Dayton)

Rep. Dayton explained the bill eliminates certain education mandates.

The following spoke in support of the bill:

Supt. Steve Laing, Utah State Office of Education

Mr. Steve Peterson, Utah School Boards Association

MOTION: Sen. Gladwell moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Walker absent for the vote.

• S.B. 142 Higher Education Budget Authority (L. Hillyard)

Sen. Hillyard explained the bill gives flexibility to institutions of higher education in reducing the current year's budget.

MOTION: Sen. Hale moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously.

• H.B. 52 Higher Education Savings Incentive Program Amendments (K. Bryson)

Rep. Bryson explained the bill conforms Utah law with federal law.

MOTION: Sen. Suazo moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Sen. Stephenson moved to place on the interim study list a study on tax deductions and credits for higher education expenses. The motion passed unanimously.

• S.B. 129 Planetarium Board of Directors Amendments (G. Davis)

Sen. Davis said the bill will authorize the county mayor to appoint, with the advice and consent of the county legislative body, the director of the planetarium.

Mr. Alan Dayton, Deputy Mayor, Salt Lake County, commented on the bill.

MOTION: Sen. Walker moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Sen. Allen moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously.

Chair Wright adjourned the meeting at 4:23 p.m.

Minutes were reported by Saundra Maeser, Secretary.

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Sen. Bill Wright, Chair