Link to Zipped WordPerfect Minutes 9K bytes



MINUTES OF THE SENATE BUSINESS & LABOR STANDING COMMITTEE

         WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011
ROOM 215, SENATE BUILDING



Members Present:    Sen. John Valentine, Chair
        Sen. David Hinkins
        Sen. Dan Liljenquist
        Sen. Steve Urquhart
        Sen. Kevin VanTassell
        Sen. Gene Davis
        Sen. Karen Mayne
    
Member Absent:    Sen. Curt Bramble

Staff Pressent:    Bryant R. Howe, Assistant Director
        Karen Allred, Committee Secretary
        
A list of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with the committee minutes.

Chair Valentine called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

Approval of Minutes

    MOTION:
Sen. Davis moved to approve minutes of the February 28, 2011, meeting.

    The motion passed unanimously with Sens. Liljenquist and Mayne absent for the vote.

1.     H.B. 107 Volunteer Firefighters' Retirement Amendments (R. Menlove)
    
     MOTION: Rep. Menlove explained the bill and the following amendments were proposed:


1.    Page 1, Lines 13 through 15 :    

             13          .    requires the Retirement Office to fund the long-term disability benefits for new
             14     
{   volunteer   } firefighters using certain premium tax revenues previously deposited into

             15      the Firefighters' Retirement Trust Fund; and

2.    Page 2, Lines 44 through 45
    House Committee Amendments
    2-11-2011 :
    

             44          (a) an amount determined by the office to fully fund the long-term disability program
             45      provided for
{   volunteer   } firefighters under Section 49-23-601 ;



3.    Page 2, Lines 51 through 51g
    House Committee Amendments
    2-11-2011 :
    

             51          (c) any remaining amount in accordance with Section 49-11-902 .
             51a     
{   H. (3) (a) In accordance with rules made by the office, a participating employer shall

             51b      provide the office with information on each person who is actively serving the participating
             51c      employer as a volunteer firefighter in order for the person to be eligible for long-term
             51d      disability coverage under this section.
             51e           (b) A participating employer shall provide to the office:
             51f           (i) the information under Subsection (3)(a), not later than July 1, 2011; and
             51g           (ii) updates to the information as changes occur. .H  
}


4.    Page 4, Line 119 through Page 5, Line 128 :    

             119          49-23-601. Long-term disability coverage.
             120          (1)
{   Each   }        A       participating employer shall cover      {   the following employees   }        a public safety employee who initially enters employment on or after July 1, 2011,       under Title 49,

             121      Chapter 21, Public Employees' Long-Term Disability Act, or a substantially similar long-term
             122      disability program
{   :   }        .      

             123          [(1)]
{   (a) public safety employees initially entering employment on or after July 1, 2011;   }

             124          [(2)]
{   (b) firefighter service employees initially entering employment on or after July 1,

             125      2011; and  
}

             126          [(3)]
{   (c) volunteer firefighters.   }

             127          
{   (2) The office shall ensure that the long-term disability program provided for volunteer

             128      firefighters under this section is funded with money paid under Section 49-11-901.5 .  
}
 

(2) (a) A participating employer shall cover a firefighter employee who initially

enters employment on or after July 1, 2011 under Title 49, Chapter 21, Public Employees' Long-Term Disability Act.
    (b) In accordance with this section, a participating employer shall provided long term disability benefit coverage for a volunteer firefighter as provided under Section 49-16-701.
    (c) The office shall ensure that the cost of the long-term disability benefit coverage provided under Subsection (2)(a) and (b) is funded with revenue received under Section 49-11-901.5.  



    
    MOTION:
Sen. Mayne moved to adopt the amendments.

    The motion passed unanimously with Sens. Urquhart and Davis absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Sen. Van Tassell moved to transmit H.B. 107 with a favorable recommendation.

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

     MOTION:  Sen.Van Tassell moved that H.B. 107 be placed on the Consent Calendar.

    The motion passed unanimously.

2.     2nd Sub. H.B. 331 Post-employment Benefits Amendments (J. Dougall)

    
The Committee members discussed the bill.

     MOTION: Sen. Van Tassell moved that the bill be held with a recommendation that it be referred to Interim Study.

    The motion passed unanimously.

3.     2nd Sub. H.B. 128 Health Reform Amendments (J. Dunnigan)

    Rep. Dunnigan explained the bill.

Sen. Liljenquist assumed the Committee Chair.

     MOTION: Sen. Van Tassell moved to transmit 2nd Sub. H.B. 128 with a favorable     recommendation.


    The motion passed unanimously with Sens. Valentine and Davis absent for the vote.

     MOTION: Sen. Van Tassell moved to adjourn.

    The motion passed unanimously with Sens. Valentine and Davis absent for the vote.

    Acting Chair Liljenquist adjourned the meeting at 8:53 a.m.

    


_________________________________

Sen. John Valentine, Committee Chair