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MINUTES OF THE

PUBLIC UTILITIES & TECHNOLOGY STANDING COMMITTEE

Room 225 - State Capitol Building

January 23, 2004

                                
MEMBERS PRESENT:        Rep. Stephen H. Urquhart, Chair    
                    Rep. Glenn A. Donnelson, Vice Chair
                    Rep. Sheryl L. Allen
                    Rep. Ralph Becker
                    Rep. Chad E. Bennion
                    Rep. Greg J. Curtis                
                    Rep. Brent H. Goodfellow
                    Rep. Michael E. Noel             
                    Rep. Gordon E. Snow
                    Rep. Michael R. Styler

MEMBERS ABSENT:        Rep. Ty McCartney
                    Rep. David Ure

STAFF PRESENT:            Richard North, Policy Analyst
                    Cherri White, Committee Secretary        

NOTE:    List of visitors and a copy of handouts are filed with committee minutes.

Vice Chair Donnelson called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m.

MOTION:    Representative Allen moved to approve the minutes of January 20, 2004. The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Becker, Curtis, McCartney, Noel, Snow and Ure absent for the vote.

International Trade Negotiations and State Regulated Monopolies

Representative Allen introduced the General Agreement on Trade in Services issue (GATs). This proposed agreement has provisions that may effect or eliminate states ability to regulate monopoly service providers. Representative Allen provided the committee with materials regarding this issue and requested that Richard North, Policy Analyst, address the committee regarding the materials compiled and the issue as it relates to Utah.

Mr. Richard North indicated that the materials provided included letters from Idaho, National Association of Attorneys General, California, and the National League of Cities. The consensus of these letters indicates a great concern regarding the loss of states' rights in regulating monopoly service providers.

Representative Allen asked that the committee consider sending a letter or proposing a resolution to be sent to Ambassador Robert Zoellick, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative indicating the concerns of Utah in regards to the General Agreement on Trade in Services. It was agreed that

Mr. Richard North, working with Chair Urquhart and Vice Chair Donnelson would, return at the next scheduled meeting with a letter and be prepared to discuss this issue further.

H.B. 204    Public Utilities Revisions (Rep. G. Curtis)

Representative Curtis introduced the bill to the committee and explained its intent.

Kevin Beardman, PacifiCorp addressed questions from the committee

MOTION:    Representative Styler moved to pass the bill out favorably. The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Allen, McCartney, Noel and Ure absent for the vote.

H.B. 36    Management, Enhancement, and Funding of 911 System (Rep. B. Dee)

Representative Dee introduced the bill, and requested the committee consider and adopt an amendment to the bill.

MOTION:    Representative Urquhart moved to amend the bill as follows:

1.    Page 6, Lines 162 through 163


                 

[[       (c) The charges imposed under Subsection (3)(b) may not exceed an amount equal to

1.5% of the loans or grants issued under Subsection (3)(a).   ]]

2.    Page 6, Lines 173 through 176                  
    (iii) grant or loan to counties of the third through sixth class an amount not to exceed 3
                  cents per month levied on telephone services under Section 69-2-5.6 to
  :

    (A)  
enhance the 911

                  emergency services
  ;       and       

    (B) where needed, assist the counties, in cooperation with private industry, with     the creation or integration of  
     [[   integrate   ]] wireless systems and location          technology in rural areas of the state; and


    The motion passed unanimously with Representatives Allen, McCartney, Noel, and Ure absent for the vote.

Representative Dee asked that the committee view a short video as part of his presentation. Additionally, Representative Dee provided the committee members with materials concerning the 9-1-1 service and the move toward E-9-1-1 phase 2. Assisting with the presentation was Terry Ingram, Executive Director of Valley Emergency Communications Center.

The following individuals addressed the committee:

    *     Nancy Gibbs, Utah Rural Telecom Association addressed questions of the committee.
    *     Commissioner Burton, Weber County Commission, and Utah Association of Counties Legislative Committee spoke in favor of the bill.
    *     Sheriff Slater, Weber County Sheriff, Utah Sheriff's Association, spoke in favor of the bill.
    *     Lee King, Midvale City Administrator, League of Cities and Towns, spoke in favor of the bill.
    *     Roger Ball, Utah Committee of Consumer Services, spoke in opposition to the bill.
    *     Dennis Goreham, Utah AGRC spoke to the bill.
    *     Chad Vanderlinden, Utah Taxpayers Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.
    *     Representative Bud Bowman, Chair, House Law Enforcement Criminal Justice Standing Committee, spoke in favor of the bill.

MOTION:    Representative Urquhart moved to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:57 a.m.






                     _______________________________
                    Rep. Stephen H. Urquhart, Chair