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MINUTES OF THE SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

STANDING COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2008

ROOM W020, WEST OFFICE BUILDING, STATE CAPITOL COMPLEX



Members Present:        Sen. Peter C. Knudson, Chair
                Sen. D. Chris Buttars
                Sen. John W. Hickman
                Sen. Scott K. Jenkins
                Sen. Scott D. McCoy
                Sen. Ross I. Romero

Staff Present:             Rich North, Policy Analyst
                 Nedra Duzett, Secretary

Public Speakers Present:    Ryan Bjerke, attorney, Chapman, Richards & Associates
                Michael Cragun, Deputy Chief of Staff, Lt. Governor's Office
                Roger Tew, Utah League of Cities & Towns
                Mark Thomas, Lt. Governor's Office

A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes.    

Committee Chair Knudson called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.

1.    S.B. 0032 Local Government Bonding Act - Public Hearings (S. Jenkins)

    Sen. Jenkins proposed the following amendment to the bill:

1.    Page 4, Line 120 through Page 5, Line 127 :    

             120          (1) Before issuing a bond authorized under this chapter
{   , but after an election, if

             121      required by this chapter  
}
, a local political subdivision shall:
             122          (a) in accordance with Subsection (2), provide public notice of the local political
             123      subdivision's intent to issue a bond; and
             124          (b) hold a public hearing
  :

    (i) if an election is required under this chapter:
    (A) no sooner than 30 days before the day on which the notice of election is published under Section 11-14-202; and
    (B) no later than five business days before the day on which the the notice of election is published under Section 11-14-202; and
    (ii)  
to receive input from the public with respect to:

             125          
{   (i)   }        (A)       the issuance of the bond; and

             126          
{   (ii)   }        (B)       the potential economic impact that the improvement, facility, or

property for which


             127      the bond pays all or part of the cost will have on the private sector.
    
     MOTION: Sen. Jenkins moved to adopt the amendment.

    The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars absent for the vote.
    
    Sen. Jenkins explained the amended bill.

    Roger Tew, Utah Cities & Towns spoke in favor of the bill.

    Ryan Bjerke, attorney, Chapman, Richards & Assoc., recommended a word change in the bill. He asked that "bonds" be changed to "bond."

     MOTION: Sen. Hickman moved to pass the amended bill out favorably.

    The motion passed with Sen. Buttars absent for the vote.

Sen. Hickman assumed the Chair.

     2. S.B. 0021 Campaign Finance Disclosure Revisions (P. Knudson)

    
MOTION: Sen. Knudson moved to delete title and body of S.B. 0021 and replace it with 1st Sub S.B. 0021.

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

    Sen. Knudson explained the bill.

    Michael Crag, Deputy Chief of Staff, Lt. Governor's Office, spoke in support of the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Jenkins moved to pass the substitute bill out favorably.

    The motion passed with Sen. Buttars absent for the vote.

3.    S.B. 0126 Filing Fee for Write-in Candidates (P. Knudson)

    Sen. Knudson explained the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. McCoy moved to pass the bill out favorably.



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

     MOTION: Sen. McCoy moved to place the bill on the Consent Calendar.

    The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Buttars absent for the vote.
    
Sen. Knudson assumed the Chair.

4.    S.B. 0047 Limited Purpose Local Government Entities Revisions (D. Stowell)

    
The bill was held at the sponsor's request.

5.    S.B. 0123 Filling Vacancies in the Senate

    Sen. Hickman explained the bill.

    Mark Thomas, Lt. Governor's Office, gave further explanation of the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to pass the bill favorably.

    The motion passed with Sens. McCoy and Romero voting in opposition.

MOTION: Sen. Jenkins moved to adjourn.

The motion passed unanimously.

Committee Chair Knudson adjourned the meeting at 8:47 a.m.

Minutes reported by Nedra Duzett, Secretary



______________________________________
Sen. Peter C. Knudson, Committee Chair