Utah House opens May 2006 special session, affirms leadership and rules; introduces appropriations and policy bills

The Utah House of Representatives convened in a third special session in May 2006 after a governor's proclamation read and certified by Lieutenant Governor Gary R. Herbert. Lawmakers voted to continue the same House leadership and adopt the same House and joint rules used in the 2006 general session, then moved promptly to procedural business and the introduction of several bills.

Representative Alexander opened the substantive business with a motion to "continue with the same organization for the third special session of the 50 sixth legislature as was constituted during the February" 2006 session; the motion passed by voice vote. The House then adopted the rules in a separate motion by Representative Lockhart, who said the chamber should "adopt the same House rules and joint rules for the third special session" as in the 2006 general session; that motion also carried by voice vote.

Lieutenant Governor Gary R. Herbert, speaking for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, certified a copy of Gov. John M. Huntsman Jr.'s proclamation calling the legislature into the special session at the State Capitol Complex in Salt Lake City. The proclamation enumerated nine items for the session, among them:

- An appropriation and technical reallocation of transportation funding and an appropriation from the Division of Housing and Community Development to the Division of Arts and Museums. - An appropriation of $2,000,000 in Medicaid funding for emergency dental services for the aged, blind and disabled. - Authorization for a parking structure at the State Capitol Complex in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000. - Legislative authorization for the receipt of a federal grant by the Utah Department of Natural Resources and authorization for construction of a Utah Department of Transportation maintenance shed on property near Meadow, Utah. - Legislation authorizing the Utah State Tax Commission to share confidential tax data with the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, the Office of Legislative Fiscal Analyst and the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel. - Provisions addressing reporting and causes of action regarding the exchange of securities; technical corrections to interstate enforcement of domestic violence protection orders; corrections to juvenile court shelter hearing provisions; a cost-of-living adjustment for certain executive officers; and measures to assist retail establishments responding to recent changes in Utah's sales tax system.

On procedural motions, the House voted to consider bills under suspension of the rules and to continue the practice of reading only short titles of bills and resolutions unless a majority directs the reading of long titles. Clerk Braeden (Madam Braeden) then introduced House bills and a joint resolution for first reading and referral to the Rules Committee: HB3001 (technical reallocation of transportation funding, sponsor Ron Bigelow), HB3002 (appropriation to fund new driver's license programs, sponsor Ron Bigelow), HB3003 (shelter hearing technical amendments, sponsor Neil Harper), HB3004 (sales and use tax relating to food, sponsor Ben Ferry) and House Joint Resolution 301 (resolution approving use of federal funds by the Department of Natural Resources, sponsor David Clark). The Speaker announced an immediate Rules Committee meeting in the House Majority Conference Room to consider the referred measures.

Before the Rules Committee report was ready, Representative Alexander moved that the House recess for 10 minutes while the committee prepared its report; that motion was approved and the House temporarily adjourned for 10 minutes.

The session record notes five excused absences during the electronic roll call: Representatives Fred Hunsaker, Cheryl Allen, Lori Falk, Karen Morgan and Margaret Dayton. The House also appointed committees to notify the Senate (Representatives David Clark, Peggy Wallace and Ross Romero) and to wait upon the governor (Representatives Stuart Adams, Craig Buttars and Carol Spackman Moss).

Next steps: the referred bills were scheduled for Rules Committee consideration immediately; the House recessed pending that committee's report and further action on the proclamation items listed by the governor.