ANOTHER SESSION COME AND GONE
Rep. Mike Morley
At the stroke of midnight on Thursday morning, March 2, the General Session of the 56th Utah Legislature concluded its business. Much progress was made. The budget is in place for ongoing government operations. Education received a 6% WPU increase and an additional $44.5 million in one-time monies. State employees got a 3.5% increase. Road were funded with $102.6 million in one-time monies and the legislature approved a formula to generate on-going funds from sales tax on auto-related items. Although some revenue bonds were approved, bonding for buildings and roads were avoided, thus keeping the state on sound fiscal footing and allowing us to reduce state debt and preserve the state’s bond rating.
This session was particularly contentious due to differing priorities for allocating the anticipated budget surplus. We proceeded to allocate this anticipated windfall with great caution, recognizing that such rapid growth will likely not be sustained given that it represents a record 25% increase. At the end of the day, the issue remaining was tax reform. There are those, including the governor, who are pushing to completely eliminate tax on food. Some want a flat income tax. Still others believe that simply lowering the current marginal income tax rate would be most fair. Some suggest tax cuts for businesses. This will be focus of a special session in the coming months where I believe a combination of each of these cuts will ultimately prevail.
I sponsored eight bills this session, but like almost every other legislator, there were some that died on the board. Allow me to detail the ones that were passed.
HB 232 Higher Education Tuition for Active Duty Military provides residency status at state colleges and universities for members of the military who were residents of Utah before leaving for active duty and who immediately return to Utah after their service is completed. Mark Goodwin from Spanish Fork made me aware of this issue when he was denied residency status after returning from active duty.
HB 160 Construction Standard Amendments. Two years ago, I sponsored a bill that created a state-wide database for the filing of construction notices. It was implemented last May after over a year of development. Based on continued input from users and various organizations within the construction industry, I proposed a standardized building permit numbering system that will automatically link notices to construction projects.
HB 132 Local Land Use Requirements prohibits counties and municipalities from withholding a building permit because of an applicant's failure to comply with a requirement that is not expressed in ordinance and prohibits counties and municipalities from imposing a requirement on a holder of a building permit if that requirement is not expressed in the building permit. This was widely supported by the Utah League of Cities and Towns, Home Builders Association, Associated General Contractors, Association of Realtors, and Questar to name a few.
HB 396 Amendments to Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans. Currently, a veteran who has been found by the Veteran’s Administration to have a permanent disability is given a property tax exemption based on their percentage of disability. That exemption has to be applied for each year. This bill provides for a one-time application instead of an annual application. My thanks to Thad Jensen from Spanish Fork, a commander in the American Legion, for making me aware of this issue.
HB 150 Workers’ Compensation Revisions 1) codified the legislative assumption that the burden of proof in permanent disability claims lies with the employee. 2) It gives the Labor Commission the role of mediator in the adjudication of claims as it relates to collections and the reasonableness of the claim. 3) it provides a bright light of what is required to qualify for exclusive remedy protection against negligence suits for employers. This consensus bill which should create a safer workplace is supported by the Labor Commission, the Labor Advisory Board, Workers Compensation Fund, Home Builders Association, Associated General Contractors, Utah Manufacturer’s Association, and other employer groups.
All in all, it was a productive session. I truly enjoy serving and find great satisfaction and fulfillment in this work, but I must admit to a sense of relief at being finished. After spending seven weeks in the basement of the Capitol’s West Annex building, it is wonderful to be home and to see the sunshine again.
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