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Senator Orrin Hatch fields questions in House committee as a whole on habeas corpus, education and block grants
Summary
U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch visited the Utah House as the chamber resolved into committee as a whole. He answered representatives' questions on habeas corpus reform tied to anti‑terrorism legislation, the Equal Access Act and school legal precedent, and discussed block‑grant considerations for welfare reform.
The Utah House resolved into committee as a whole on Feb. 22 to hear U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, who took questions from House members on federal legislation and legal issues affecting state policy.
Senator Hatch said that the habeas‑corpus provisions of a bill the House had passed were tied up in a larger anti‑terrorism package in Congress and anticipated a conference between House and Senate negotiators within weeks. 'Our bill is locked up in the anti‑terrorism bill that is now ready to go to conference between the House and the Senate,' Hatch told representatives.
Members also asked Hatch about the Equal Access Act and Supreme Court precedent affecting schools. Hatch reviewed relevant decisions (citing Vernonia School District v. Acton and Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier) and emphasized that school boards retain discretion to protect students' well‑being. He recommended careful legal consideration when applying federal law to local school policy.
On federal‑to‑state funding issues, Hatch said many governors and congressional negotiators were working on block‑grant proposals for welfare reform and urged careful consideration of states’ capacity to administer returned programs and funds.
The senator invited representatives to contact him for further assistance in congressional matters and complimented the House on its work during the session. The committee subsequently dissolved and returned to regular order.
