LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAP-UP
Rep. Mike Morley
The legislative session has come and gone for another year and, overall the 2008 General Session has been a busy, but successful one. Several important issues have been addressed included substantive progress in the three main areas of focus as determined by constituent surveys: illegal immigration, transportation and education.
The House passed several bills that were not adopted by the Senate, but ultimately both passed SB 81 which requires accountability on the part of employers as well as cutting off some benefits to illegal immigrants.
Due to a decrease in projected revenues for the 2009 fiscal year, the proposed expansion of I-15 through Utah County has been scaled back at both ends of the proposed route, but the central corridor between American Fork and Spanish Fork is still on track, as is commuter rail. This system required an unprecedented commitment from the state to resolve the I-15 corridor and handle other transportation issues. Largest road construction undertaken by the state. As those of us who travel the corridor know, it's needed.
SB 2 and other education bills heard earlier in the session extended raises and bonuses to a wider range of educators, increased per-pupil spending, and funded many important programs. I spent considerable time working on the equalization formula to provide a more fair mix for the capital outlay levy giving credit for effort to those areas with the highest burden. Nebo School District, as the 3rd most highly levied district in the state, were unfairly treated under the old formula, but with a new, more equitable formula received a significant windfall.
I sponsored or co-sponsored several good bills this session including:
HB 32 which established an affirmative defense for insurance purposes for agri-tourism ventures such as corn mazes, dude ranches, pumpkin patches, etc.
HB 177, a consensus bill with the development community and the League of Cities and Towns, strikes a balance with geologically or environmentally sensitive areas and establishes an appeal process
HB 184, a tweak to the State Construction Registry which was established 5 years ago to add transparency to the mechanic's lien process
HB 269, the Scott B. Lundell Military Survivors' Tuition Waiver bill which provides higher education tuition waivers for dependents of active duty military personnel killed in action.
HB 315 provides a narrow definition of exposure, but allows prosecution of any adult who intentionally exposes children and vulnerable adults to drugs and drug paraphernalia
HB 384 resolves a recent court case by clarifying that wage benefits need not be paid to workers who are able to return to work except for criminal activity such as being in jail.
HCR 2 - a concurrent resolution declaring February 6 as Ronald Reagan Day
HCR 6 - a concurrent resolution honoring the life and contributions of Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley
HB 83 which deals with securities fraud
HB 158 which allows a tax credit for military retirement pay
HB 256, also known as Jessica's Law
I am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve and for the great people I have been elected to represent. Thank you for the hundreds of emails and phone calls I have received helping me to understand how issues affect you, my friends and neighbors. I appreciate the trust you have placed in me and look forward to serving you in the future.
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