Legislative Update
Monday, November 14, 2011
This update is published weekly during the General Session, monthly during the Interim Session, and other times as needed. This update highlights the various issues that will be heard by the legislature during the October Interim Session that may affect low-income Utahns.
Alerts and News from the Hill
The Utah Legislature's November Interim Session is this Wednesday, November 16th. To see building locations and times for the following committee meetings look at the agendas HERE. The Executive Appropriations Committee will meet Tuesday, November 15th.
UPDATES
Executive Appropriations Committee
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Room 445 State Capitol: 1:00 p.m
The Executive Appropriations Committee meets on the Third Tuesday of every month to discuss issues related to the budget and appropriations of the Utah State Government. The following items will be discussed that may affect low-incomes in Utah:
2:35 - 2:45 Revenue Volatility Report
It’s important for advocates for low-income Utahns to be aware of the revenue the state is collecting to hold our legislators accountable to those in need in their community.
2:45 - 2:55 Funds Expended on Services to Low Income Individuals and Families
This will give a report and synopsis of services to low-income individuals and families. CAP Utah suspects this is a follow up to the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee meeting on this very topic.
Retirement and Independent Entities Committee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Room 445 State Capitol: 7:30 a.m.
9:05 Total Compensation Market Survey and Analysis Study
Government employees’ wages have historically been low and have seen very little relative growth as the years pass. The committee will hear an independent audit that will look at state employee compensation.
Business and Labor Interim Committee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Room 210 Senate Building: 8:00 a.m.
11:30 Mobile Home Park Residency Act Amendments
Many residents of manufactured housing (mobile homes) are living on incomes below or near poverty level. This draft legislation seeks to assist those living in manufactured housing. There will be a presentation by the sponsor, public comment, and committee discussion if they will pursue passing legislation.
11:45 Payday Lending Database
Payday lenders have created many problems for Utahns living on low-incomes. The committee will hear a review of the issues, get public comment, the committee will discuss possible future action.
Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Interim Committee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Room 30 House Building: 8:00 a.m.
8:45 Draft Legislation, "Ballot Proposition Amendments"
This legislation extends the number of days that citizens have to collect signatures to put a local government referendum on the ballot. It is important that citizens have access to ballot initiatives.
9:05 Draft Legislation, "State Issued Identification Numbers"
This draft bill prohibits the state and its political subdivisions from using a Social Security number to identify an individual, unless required to use a Social Security number by federal or state law, and from creating and assigning to an individual a nine-digit identification number, except when required to use a Social Security number. Many homeless individuals do not have access to their social security card causing barriers to accessing services.
9:45 State Compensation Report
Government employees’ wages have historically been low and have seen very little relative growth as the years pass. The committee will hear an independent audit that will look at state employee compensation.
Education Interim Committee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Room 445 State Capitol: 8:30 a.m.
9:30 Public Education Employment Reform
The Committee will continue its discussion on modifying the terms of employment for public school employees, including employment contracts, termination policy and procedures, and compensation. Teachers are valuable members of Utah’s communities in combating poverty. The compensation for those members is of a concern to CAP Utah.
10:15 Report: Performance-based Compensation Pilot Program
The Committee will hear a final report on a two-year pilot program created and funded by the Legislature in 2009 to provide compensation to elementary school classroom-related staff based on student learning gains; instructional quality; and parent, student, or community satisfaction. Again teacher compensation is a concern for CAP Utah.
10:45 Report: School Grading System
Legislation enacted in the 2011 General Session created a school grading system in which schools will receive a grade of A, B, C, D, or F based on the academic proficiency and progress of a school's students. The Committee heard a status report in its September meeting and will hear a final report and recommendations from the Utah State Board of Education. Well performing schools are key to reducing poverty in Utah. Therefore, any attempt to improve schools is a concern to CAP Utah.
Health and Human Services Interim Committee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Room 20 House Building: 9:00 a.m.
9:05 Alzheimer's Task Force
2011 General Session S.B. 48, Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force, created a 20-member task force within the Department of Human Services' Division of Aging and Adult Services the Task Force will report on its findings and recommendations, including draft legislation, on how to respond to the escalating need for services and resources that address the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia, their families, and their caregivers. The committee will hear a report along with public comment. Health care costs are an extreme burden for Utahns therefore, any effort to ease that burden is of interest to CAP Utah.
10:50 Medicaid Waiver for Community Service Pilot Program
2011 General Session H.B. 211, Community Service Medicaid Pilot Program, required the Department of Health to develop and submit by January 1, 2012, a Medicaid waiver proposal that would authorize creation of a pilot program requiring up to 99 Medicaid clients to perform a certain number of hours or community service as a condition of receiving Medicaid benefits. This is a bill that while CAP Utah is not working on it is of concern. There will be a report by the bill sponsor and others, along with public comment.
Public Utilities and Technology Interim Committee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Room 25 House Building: 9:00 a.m.
9:10 Geographic Information System Reports: State Broadband and Wireless Coverage, County and State Data Sharing, and Public Land Survey System
The Committee will hear updates on: 1) existing broadband and wireless coverage across the state; 2) how counties and state agencies are sharing address and parcel level data; and 3) the state's centralized land survey database. Internet access to those living on low-incomes is important for them to access services and information. The expansion of this system is of concerns for CAP Utah.
Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Room 20 House Building: 2:00 p.m.
2:05 Unemployment Insurance (draft legislation)
During the June meeting, the representatives of the Department of Workforce Services made recommendations to the Committee for changes to the statute. In response, three bills have been prepared for committee consideration. In the recent years Utah has seen record high rates of unemployment. Unemployment Insurance is key in assisting individuals pay for basic needs in the time they are looking for work.
3:30 Legislative Hearing for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program
In accordance with federal law (Public Law 105-285 Title II, Section 676(a)(3)), a state must hold a legislative hearing once every three years in conjunction with the development of the State Plan for CSBG. The Committee will hold a hearing on behalf of the legislature. CSBG is the core funding for Utah’s Community Action Agencies.
Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Interim Committee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Room 30 House Building: 2:00 p.m.
Agenda #10 Asset Division in Divorce Proceedings
This bill would prohibit the court from awarding property in a divorce in such a manner as to cause one of the parties to be dependent on public assistance. While CAP Utah is not working on this bill it is always important to keep people out of situations where Utahns need to rely on public assistance.
Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Room 445 State Capitol: 2:00 p.m.
2:00 Revenue collection update
It’s important for advocates for low-income Utahns to be aware of the revenue the state is collecting to hold our legislators accountable to those in need in their community.
Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Thursday, November 17, 2011: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Utah Education Network - Eccles Broadcast Center
101 Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City UT 84112
1:30 p.m. Barriers to Graduation
The committee will hear testimony on barriers to graduation including if higher education is affordable. Education can be a key determinant in assisting Utahns out of poverty so any efforts to decrease barriers to graduation is important to CAP Utah.
These agenda items have been identified by CAP Utah staff to be important to individuals and organizations that are concerned with services to low-income Utahns. CAP Utah encourages individuals to visit the Legislature’s website HERE to be aware of all topics to be heard during the legislative session.
|
