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MINUTES OF THE SENATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

STANDING COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2008

ROOM W020, WEST OFFICE BUILDING, STATE CAPITOL COMPLEX



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

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

Public Speakers Present:    April Hatch, Citizen
                Kay M. Garske, Citizen
                Barbara Whiteley, Citizen
                Ann Turner, Citizen
                Spencer F. Hatch, Attorney, Constitution Coalition
                Gayle Ruzicka, Utah Eagle Forum
                Adam Trupp, Utah Assn. of Counties
                Michael Cragun, Deputy Chief of Staff, 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 8:05 a.m.

    MOTION: Sen. Jenkins moved to approve the minutes of the January 29, 2008 minutes.

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

1.    S.J.R. 7 Joint Rules Resolution - Authorizing Electronic Committee Meetings
    
(L. Hillyard)

    Sen. Hillyard explained the bill.

    April Hatch, Citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.

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

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




2.    S.B. 79 Sunset Reauthorizations and Amendments (D. Clark)

    
Rep. Clark explained the bill.

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

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

3.    S.J.R. 6 Joint Resolution Encouraging the Governor's Board Appointments to
    Reflect Utah Geographic Balance
(D. Stowell)

    
Sen. Stowell explained the bill.

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

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

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

    The motion failed with Sen. Jenkins voting in opposition.

4.    S.R. 1 Senate Resolution Urging United States Withdrawal from Security and
    Prosperity Partnership of North America
(F. Fife)

    
Sen. Fife explained the bill. He introduced Kay Garske and asked that she provide additional information on the bill.

    The following individuals spoke in support of the bill:

            Kay M. Garske, Citizen
            Barbara Whiteley, Citizen
            Ann Turner, Citizen
            Spencer F. Hatch, Attorney, Constitution Coalition
            Gayle Ruzicka, Utah Eagle Forum

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

    The motion failed with Sens. Knudson, Jenkins, and Romero voting against the bill.




5.    S.J.R. 5 Joint Resolution Amending Legislative Apportionment
(C. Bramble)

    Sen. Bramble explained the bill.

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

    The motion passed unanimously.

6.    S.B. 158 Statewide Rural Boards and Committees
(D. Stowell)    
                
    Sen. Stowell asked the Committee to adopt a substitute bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Jenkins moved to delete title and body of S.B. 158 and replace it with
    S.B. 158 1st Substitute.

    The motion passed unanimously.

    Sen. Stowell explained the substitute bill.

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

    The motion passed unanimously.

7.    S.B. 77 Revisions to Government Records Access Management Act (M. Dayton)

    
Sen. Dayton asked the committee to adopt the following amendment:

1. Page 5, Line 44:                At the beginning of the line,

                        Delete "bidding or applicatioin period is closed,"

                        Insert "contract or grant has been awarded" and

                        After "a bid" Insert ", proposal,"

     MOTION: Sen. McCoy moved to adopt the amendment to the bill.

    The motion passed unanimously.
    



    Eric Weeks, Office of Legislative Research & General Counsel, explained what the amendment does to the bill.

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

    The motion passed unanimously.
    
     MOTION: Sen. Buttars moved to place the bill on the Consent Calendar.

    The motion passed unanimously.

8.    S.B. 78 County Personnel Management Act Amendments
(W. Niederhauser)

    Sen. Niederhauser asked the committee to adopt the following amendment to the bill:


1.    Page 1, Lines 14 through 15 :    

             14      persons appointed by an elected county officer to
{   supervise or oversee departmental

             15      or  
}
  administer       division functions in furtherance of the performance of the elected officer's


2.    Page 3, Line 79 :    

             79          (A) appointed by an elected county officer to
{   supervise or oversee departmental or   }        administer      


3.    Page 4, Line 102 :    

             102      to exempt or tenured, the
{   county legislative body   }        career service council       shall, after giving due notice, hold a public


     MOTION: Sen. Jenkins moved to adopt the amendment to the bill.

    The motion passed unanimously.

    Sen. Neiderhauser explained the amended bill.

    Adam Tripp, Utah Assn. of Counties, spoke in support of the bill.         


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

    The motion passed unanimously.

Sen. Jenkins assumed the Chair.

9.    S.B. 160 Candidate Replacement Deadline for General Election (P. Knudson)

    
Sen. Knudson explained the bill.

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

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

    The motion passed unanimously.

Sen. Knudson assumed the Chair.

10.    H.B. 29 Election Law - Financial Reporting (B. Daw)

    Rep. Daw explained the bill.

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

    The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Sen. McCoy moved to adjourn.

Committee Chair Knudson adjourned the meeting at 9:20 a.m.

Minutes reported by Nedra Duzett, Secretary



______________________________________
Sen. Peter C. Knudson, Committee Chair