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MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Stephen H. Urquhart, Chair
Rep. Glenn A. Donnelson, Vice Chair
Rep. Sheryl L. Allen
Rep. Ralph Becker
Rep. Chad E. Bennion
Rep. Greg J. Curtis
Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow
Rep. Michael E. Noel
Rep. Gordon E. Snow
Rep. Michael R. Styler
MEMBERS ABSENT: Rep. Ty McCartney
Rep. David Ure
STAFF PRESENT: Richard North, Policy Analyst
Cherri White, Committee Secretary
NOTE: List of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with committee minutes.
Vice Chair Donnelson called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m.
MOTION: Representative Allen moved to approve the minutes of January 20, 2004. The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Becker, Curtis, McCartney, Noel, Snow and Ure absent for the vote.
International Trade Negotiations and State Regulated Monopolies
Representative Allen introduced the General Agreement on Trade in Services issue (GATs). This proposed agreement has provisions that may effect or eliminate states ability to regulate monopoly service providers. Representative Allen provided the committee with materials regarding this issue and requested that Richard North, Policy Analyst, address the committee regarding the materials compiled and the issue as it relates to Utah.
Mr. Richard North indicated that the materials provided included letters from Idaho, National Association of Attorneys General, California, and the National League of Cities. The consensus of these letters indicates a great concern regarding the loss of states' rights in regulating monopoly service providers.
Representative Allen asked that the committee consider sending a letter or proposing a resolution to be sent to Ambassador Robert Zoellick, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative indicating the concerns of Utah in regards to the General Agreement on Trade in Services. It was agreed that
Mr. Richard North, working with Chair Urquhart and Vice Chair Donnelson would, return at the
next scheduled meeting with a letter and be prepared to discuss this issue further.
H.B. 204 Public Utilities Revisions (Rep. G. Curtis)
Representative Curtis introduced the bill to the committee and explained its intent.
Kevin Beardman, PacifiCorp addressed questions from the committee
MOTION: Representative Styler moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed
unanimously with Representatives Allen, McCartney, Noel and Ure absent for the vote.
H.B. 36 Management, Enhancement, and Funding of 911 System (Rep. B. Dee)
Representative Dee introduced the bill, and requested the committee consider and adopt an
amendment to the bill.
MOTION: Representative Urquhart moved to amend the bill as follows:
1. Page 6, Lines 162 through 163
(c) The charges imposed under Subsection (3)(b) may not exceed an amount equal to
1.5% of the loans or grants issued under Subsection (3)(a).
]]
2. Page 6, Lines 173 through 176
(iii) grant or loan to counties of the third through sixth class an amount not to exceed 3
cents per month levied on telephone services under Section
69-2-5.6
to
(A)
emergency services
(B) where needed, assist the counties, in cooperation with private industry, with
the creation or integration of
integrate
]]
wireless systems and location
technology in rural areas of the state; and
The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Allen, McCartney, Noel, and Ure
absent for the vote.
Representative Dee asked that the committee view a short video as part of his presentation.
Additionally, Representative Dee provided the committee members with materials concerning
the 9-1-1 service and the move toward E-9-1-1 phase 2. Assisting with the presentation was
Terry Ingram, Executive Director of Valley Emergency Communications Center.
The following individuals addressed the committee:
*
Nancy Gibbs, Utah Rural Telecom Association addressed questions of the
committee.
*
Commissioner Burton, Weber County Commission, and Utah Association of
Counties Legislative Committee spoke in favor of the bill.
*
Sheriff Slater, Weber County Sheriff, Utah Sheriff's Association, spoke in favor of
the bill.
*
Lee King, Midvale City Administrator, League of Cities and Towns, spoke in
favor of the bill.
*
Roger Ball, Utah Committee of Consumer Services, spoke in opposition to the
bill.
*
Dennis Goreham, Utah AGRC spoke to the bill.
*
Chad Vanderlinden, Utah Taxpayers Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.
*
Representative Bud Bowman, Chair, House Law Enforcement Criminal Justice
Standing Committee, spoke in favor of the bill.
MOTION: Representative Urquhart moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously, and
the meeting was adjourned at 9:57 a.m.
_______________________________
Rep. Stephen H. Urquhart, Chair