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Government Operations Interim Committee

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MINUTES OF THE

GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS INTERIM COMMITTEE

Wednesday, August 20, 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 S. Beck
    Rep. Perry L. Buckner
    Rep. Neal B. Hendrickson
    Rep. Joseph G. Murray
    Rep. Lowell A. Nelson
    Rep. Martin R. Stephens    

Members Excused:
    Rep. Jordan Tanner, Chair    
    Rep. Michael R. Styler

Staff Present:
    Mr. John Q. Cannon,

     Research Analyst
    Mr. John L. Fellows

     Associate General Counsel
    Ms. Junie G. Anderson,
     Committee Secretary

Note:    Lists 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 9:20 a.m.

2.    Committee Business _
    
    MOTION: Sen. Muhlestein moved to approve the minutes of the July 16, 1997 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
                                
3.    Voting Rights of Felons _ John Fellows, Associate General Counsel, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, briefed the committee on the constitutional amendment that was approved at the July meeting. Mr. Fellows distributed an outline titled, "Voting Rights of Felons _ Issues involving the Constitutional Language," and explained the contents of the outline. Because of the constitutional concerns, he suggested that the committee consider returning to language indicating a "convicted felon" rather than an "incarcerated felon" be deprived of the right to vote . He also suggested that the committee consider amending the resolution to limit it to read, "convictions in Utah courts," so that it would be clear that the state would only have jurisdiction over those felons convicted in Utah state courts.

    The committee discussed the restoration of a felon's voting rights.
                        
     MOTION: Sen. Muhlestein moved to reconsider the action of the committee at the July 16, 1997 meeting, concerning the "Resolution Eliminating Voting Right of Convicted Felons." The motion passed unanimously.

     MOTION: Sen. McAllister moved to prepare a new resolution with the following changes: page 1, line 6, delete "incarcerated" and insert "convicted felons" and on page 1, line 16, after "any" delete "incarcerated felon" and insert "person convicted of a felony in a state court in Utah." The motion passed unanimously.

     MOTION: Sen. McAllister moved to pass the resolution with the above-mentioned amendments as a committee bill. The committee recommended that staff work with interested agencies to draft accompanying legislation. The motion passed unanimously.

4.    English as Official State Language _ John Cannon, Research Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, briefed the committee on the updated legislation. The new draft bill, "English as Official State Language," was provided to the committee prior to the meeting.

    Rep. Beck was concerned that the legislation may be discriminatory.

    Rep. Buckner and Sen. Steiner spoke in opposition to the legislation.

    Sen. McAllister spoke in favor of the legislation.

    Rep. Stephens also spoke in favor of the legislation. He indicated that the state has a responsibility to teach all of its citizens a common language to allow better communication and an equal chance for advancement.

     MOTION: Sen. McAllister moved to approve the draft legislation as a committee bill. The motion passed with Sen. Steiner, Rep. Beck, Rep. Buckner, and Rep. Hendrickson voting in opposition to the motion.

5.    Budget Review Task Force _ Senator Millie Peterson discussed creating a task force that would review selected state government entities' budgets during the summer. She discussed draft legislation "Budget Review Task Force," which was provided to the committee prior to the meeting.

    Sen. Peterson was concerned that programs were added to budgets without frequent review. She said that the task force members should be selected each year according to their expertise in a particular budget.

    Sen. McAllister expressed concerns about the bill.

    MOTION: Rep. Stephens moved to approve the draft legislation, "Budget Review Task Force," as a committee bill with an amendment that would sunset the Legislative Process Committee on the effective date of the bill. The motion passed with Sen. McAllister voting is opposition to the motion. Rep. Hendricksen was absent for the vote.

6.    Election Law Commission _ John Fellows, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, briefed the committee on campaign finance reform and draft legislation, "State Elections Commission." He explained the language in the bill.

    Rep. Stephens suggested some changes in the bill concerning the transfer of authority from the Lt. Governor's office, possible rule-making authority, and consistency of terms.

    Mike Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Foundation, distributed a handout titled, "A Survey of the Ethics Commissions and Elections Boards of the 50 States."

    Cassie Dippo, Utah Common Cause, expressed support for an independent commission but concern about who can be appointed.                 

     MOTION: Rep. Buckner moved to approve the draft legislation as a concept and to have staff draft a comprehensive bill, incorporating the committee's suggestions and all necessary cross-references. The motion passed with Sen. Muhlestein opposing the motion. Rep. Hendrickson was absent for the vote.

7.    Adjourn _

    MOTION: Rep. Nelson moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:02 a.m. The motion passed unanimously.

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