Utah House passes a package of bills on taxes, tribal affairs and public safety; schedules Moab tailings resolution

The Utah House of Representatives on Jan. 28 approved a series of bills on taxation, tribal affairs, building maintenance and public-safety procedures, and scheduled further action on other measures.

Representative Wayne Harper summarized House Bill 201, an agency bill requested by the Tax Commission, saying the measure "takes away [dealers'] ability to pay in person, turns them into a monthly filer where they have to report all the sales tax and all the sales at one time," a change the sponsor said will close loopholes and improve collection and tracking. The House approved HB 201, 71 yes to 0 no, and referred it to the Senate.

Representative Keel Johnson told members that House Bill 191 aligns the Utah Division of Indian Affairs statute with current practice: "This bill does not diminish Utah Division of Indian Affairs' important role in facilitating the government-to-government relations with the federal government, other state agencies and Indian tribes," and the House passed the measure 69–0 and sent it to the Senate. In remarks read into the record, Johnson urged continued consultation with tribal leaders and clarified appointment and consultation procedures.

The chamber also approved House Bill 203, which adjusts the formula used to set aside operation and maintenance funds for state buildings; Representative Jerry Adair said the change (from 0.9 to 1.1) will increase available funds (a fiscal estimate cited approximately $3,728,700 in the next fiscal year) and emphasized that "we are not taking care of our buildings." HB 203 passed 71–0 and will go to the Senate.

Other floor actions and outcomes

- HJR 4 (change state election cycle): Representative David Zollman argued voters would benefit from separating the governor's election from presidential-year contests, noting prior commission review and committee unanimity; the House passed HJR 4, 69–1, and referred it to the Senate.

- HB 239 (delinquent fire protection district fees): Representative Dennis H. Iverson said the bill adds fire-protection districts to the list of local services whose delinquent fees may be collected with property taxes; HB 239 passed 73–0.

- HB 230 (mechanics lien notice): Representative John Swallow said the bill requires mechanics-lien notices to include an address and phone number for the lienholder; HB 230 passed 72–0.

- HB 185 (county assessor/treasurer duties) and HB 214 (wage-claim amendments) were approved and referred to the Senate (HB 185 passed 70–0; HB 214 passed 73–0 after committee handling).

- HB 210 (false statements at preliminary examinations): Representative Adelmont Tyler summarized an amendment making it a Class A misdemeanor to give a false statement to a magistrate or judge when the statement will be used at a preliminary hearing; sponsors confirmed the provision could apply to any person, including public employees. The amended HB 210 passed 73–0.

Procedural moves and scheduling

Lawmakers used "circle" motions (to set bills aside for further amendment) on several measures, including first-substitute HB 202 (Olympic license plates) and HB 229 (State Olympic Coordination), citing pending work with agencies such as the Tax Commission and Highway Patrol. Representative Kiel Johnson moved to set HCR 1 (resolution regarding moving radioactive tailings in Moab) to a time certain—Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 11:30 a.m.—to accommodate interested constituents; the House approved the scheduling motion.

The Rules Committee recommended substitution and reassignment of first substitute HB 79 (Stocking amendments) to Judiciary; the report was adopted. Members announced an ALEC dinner and a housing/homelessness open house at the Salt Lake Community Shelter before adjourning until 10 a.m. the next day.

Votes at a glance

- HB 201 (motor vehicle dealer filings): passed 71–0; referred to Senate. - HB 191 (Utah Division of Indian Affairs amendments): passed 69–0; referred to Senate. - HB 203 (operation & maintenance set-aside): passed 71–0; referred to Senate. - HJR 4 (change election cycle): passed 69–1; referred to Senate. - HB 185 (county assessor/treasurer duties): passed 70–0; referred to Senate. - HB 239 (delinquent fire protection district fees): passed 73–0; referred to Senate. - HB 214 (Wage Claim amendments): passed 73–0; referred to Senate. - HB 230 (mechanics lien notice): passed 72–0; referred to Senate. - HB 210 (false statements at preliminary examinations, as amended): passed 73–0; referred to Senate.

What’s next

Passed bills were transmitted to the Senate for further consideration. HCR 1 (Moab tailings) was set for a time certain on Feb. 2 at 11:30 a.m. Several bills remained "circled" for amendment work with agencies and county officials.

(Quotations and vote totals are taken from the House floor transcript of Jan. 28, 1999.)