Utah House advances anti-terrorism, campaign finance and driver-license donation measures; key votes recorded

The Utah House on March 5, 2002 approved a string of bills after several contested floor debates, passing measures that revise anti-terrorism statutes, create a driver'license donation checkoff to fund transportation for disabled and homebound seniors, and expand municipal campaign finance enforcement.

Representative Cindy Hutchins, sponsor of the first substitute to House Bill 310, told members the change would add a second $1 donation checkbox on the driver'license renewal form to create a fund for transportation services for disabled and homebound seniors. Hutchins said the amendment reduced costs so the amended fiscal note had no net administrative impact and estimated about $45,000 in renewed revenue for FY2003. "We specifically put it into a bill that you can go back and brag about that you help people who would otherwise be stuck in their homes," Hutchins said.

The measure drew questions from members concerned that an amended fiscal note had not yet appeared on every workstation. Representative Tyler asked whether the fiscal note showing a $65,000 impact reflected the…