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Government Operations Interim Committee

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MINUTES OF THE

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS INTERIM COMMITTEE

April 23, 1997 . 9:00 a.m. . Room 416 State Capitol



Members Present:
    Sen. L. Alma "Al" Mansell, Chair
    Sen. LeRay McAllister
    Sen. Robert M. Muhlestein
    Sen. Robert C. Steiner
    Rep. Trisha Beck
    Rep. Perry L. Buckner
    Rep. Neal B. Hendrickson
    Rep. Lowell A. Nelson
    Rep. Martin R. Stephens
    Rep. Michael R. Styler
    

Members Excused:
    Rep. Jordan Tanner, Chair
    Rep. Joseph G. Murray

Staff Present:
    Mr. John Q. Cannon,
     Research Analyst
    Mr. John L. Fellows,
     Associate General Counsel
    Ms. Junie G. Anderson,
     Committee Secretary

Note:    A list of others present and handouts distributed are on file in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel.

1.     Call to Order - Chair Mansell called the meeting to order at 9:24 a.m.

2.     Committee Business - Approval of the November 20, 1996, State and Local Affairs Interim Committee minutes .

     MOTION:    Sen. McAllister moved to approve the minutes of the November 20, 1996 State and Local Affairs meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Sen. Steiner and Rep. Stephens absent for the vote.

    Members of the committee and staff introduced themselves.

3.     1997 General Session Review - John Cannon briefed the committee on actions during the 1997 general session in the Government Operations area. He distributed handouts titled "State and Local Affairs Interim Committee _ 1996 Committee Bills, 1997 General Session Action," and "Government Operations Select Bills Passed _ 1997 General Session."

4.    Government Operations Overview - Brief presentations were given to the committee from the following departments of government:

     Department of Human Resource Management - Karen Suzuki-Okabe, Executive Director, provided a summary of the Department of Human Resource Management. Handouts titled "Employee Salary Increases," "Employment Turnover Rates," and "Employee Pay Range Position," were also distributed. Committee members asked questions of Ms. Okabe. She discussed COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) vs. merit increases, and distributed another

handout titled "Impact of Legislative Compensation Decisions." Rep. Stephens suggested that this issue be studied more extensively and Sen. McAllister said he would also ask for this information to be given to the Executive Appropriations Committee.

     Lieutenant Governor's Office - Olene Walker, Lieutenant Governor, reported that the Elections Office is running smoothly. She informed the committee of issues being addressed to simplify the process. She discussed issues relating to Political Issues Committee reporting, provisional ballots, and lobbyist disclosure.

     Governor's Office of Planning and Budget - Lynne Koga, Director, briefed the committee on the functions of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. She explained handouts titled "Governor's Office of Planning and Budget," and "1997 Economic Report to the Governor."

     Attorney General's Office - Reed Richards, Criminal Chief Deputy, Executive Division; and Jerrold Jensen, Division Chief, Public Affairs Division; distributed a handout titled "Attorney General's Legal Update for Legislators." They briefed the committee on the functions of the Attorney General's Office and reported on some of the cases the office has been, and is currently, involved in. Rep. Stephens asked who, in the state, has the authority to decide when to accept a settlement of a case. Mr. Richards and Mr. Jensen responded to the question. Mr. Fellows clarified the statutory process for approval of settlements.

     Utah State Treasurer - Richard Ellis, Deputy Treasurer, explained the responsibilities of the Treasurer's Department. He noted two issues which could potentially result in legislation:
(1) an overall cleanup of the Treasurer's duties; and (2) the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

     Department of Administrative Services - Raylene Ireland, Executive Director, distributed an organizational chart titled, "Utah Department of Administrative Services Division and Division Directors." She explained the functions of the department and upcoming changes. She said the organizational chart will change as of January 1998, and explained the changes to the committee.

     Utah State Auditor - Auston Johnson briefly explained the functions of the State Auditor to the committee. He discussed recently passed legislation which cleaned up the Auditor's statutory duties.

     Utah Public Employees Association - Melanie Holland, Chair of the Board of Directors, gave history information on the UPEA. Nancy Sechrest, Executive Director, suggested that Master Study Resolutions items 151, 152, and 158 be considered for review by the committee.

5.    Presentation and Discussion of Potential Study Items - John Cannon distributed and reviewed a handout titled "Government Operations Interim Committee Potential Study Items _ 1997 Interim." Chair Mansell asked the committee to prioritize the top issues of interest and return the study items sheets to staff. The chairs would then submit a list of potential study items to Legislative Management for approval.

    MOTION:     Rep. Hendrickson moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously with Rep. Stephens absent for the vote. The meeting adjourned at 11:29 a.m.

    

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