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MINUTES OF THE SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

STANDING COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 17, 2004, 8:00 A.M.

ROOM 403, STATE CAPITOL BUILDING



Members Present:        Sen. Carlene M. Walker, Chair                     
                Sen. Patrice Arent
                 Sen. Dan Eastman
                Sen. Beverly Evans    
                 Sen. Karen Hale                
        
Members Excused:        Sen. Bill Hickman
                 Sen. Peter Knudson

Staff Present:             Richard North, Policy Analyst
                 Saundra Maeser, Secretary
    
Public Speakers Present:    Jodi Hoffman, Utah League of Cities and Towns, Government                  Immunity Task Force
                Edward Havas, Utah Trial Lawyers' Association
                Brent Burnett, Assistant Attorney General
                David Church, General Counsel, Utah League of Cities and Towns
                Andrew Morse, Attorney, Utah Local Governments' Trust
                Alan Edwards, State Risk Management
                Joe Johnson, Mayor, Bountiful City
                Reed Searle, General Manager, Intermountain Power Agency
                Mark Buchi, Attorney, Intermountain Power Agency
                Brent Gardner, Utah Association of Counties
                
A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes.    


Committee Chair Walker called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m.

1.    S.B. 55 Governmental Immunity Act of Utah (L. Blackham)

    Sen. Leonard Blackham introduced the bill, assisted by Jodi Hoffman, Utah League of Cities and Towns and member of the Government Immunity Task Force.

     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to adopt 1st Sub. S.B. 55.

    The motion passed unanimously.



    The following spoke in support of the bill:
    Edward Havas, Utah Trial Lawyers' Association, Government Immunity Task Force
    Brent Burnett, Assistant Attorney General, Government Immunity Task Force
    David Church, Gen. Counsel, Utah League of Cities and Towns, Government Immunity Task Force
    Andrew Morse, Attorney, Utah Local Governments' Trust, Government Immunity Task Force
    Alan Edwards, State Risk Management, Government Immunity Task Force
    Joe Johnson, Mayor, Bountiful City
    Reed Searle, General Manager, Intermountain Power Agency
    Mark Buchi, Attorney, Intermountain Power Agency, Government Immunity Task Force

     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to pass 1st Sub. S.B. 55 out with a favorable recommendation.

    The motion passed unanimously.

2.    S.B. 222 Local Government Feasibility and Economic Impact Studies (S. Jenkins)

    Sen. Scott Jenkins introduced the bill.

    Jodi Hoffman, Utah League of Cities and Towns; Andrew Morse, Attorney, Utah Local Governments' Trust; and Brent Gardner, Utah Association of Counties, spoke in opposition to the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Hale made a motion to move to the next item on the agenda.

    The motion passed unanimously.

3.    S.B. 234 State Fair Park Leasing Agreements (J. Evans)

    The bill was not considered.

     MOTION: Sen. Arent moved to adjourn.

    The motion passed unanimously.

    Committee Chair Walker adjourned the meeting at 9:57 a.m.

    Minutes reported by Saundra Maeser, Secretary



_______________________________
Sen. Carlene Walker, Committee Chair