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Checking In At The Legislature:
2020 Session Final Week
Friends and Neighbors,

The 2020 legislative session has come to a close. I’ve included a summary with links that highlight the important legislation that was passed in this session. Included is information around significant funding for education, rainy-day funds, and emergency health funds for our community efforts to face the threat of COVID-19. I deliberated with our Utah legislators on how to be fiscally responsible and transparent, establishing extra emergency funds, and planning ahead for many of our state’s needs. Throughout the session, lawmakers considered potential options to give Utahns a tax refund or tax cut. Growing concern about COVID-19 and its potential impact on the economy led legislators to hold off on such a move, choosing instead to appropriate money for seniors and save the $80 million for emergency funding.

I hope these links and summaries are helpful and give you a glimpse into the work we continue to do for Utah’s economy, health, and communities.

Next month’s newsletter I will highlight all of the clean air progress and legislation from this session.

Thank you for having confidence in me as your legislator. I look forward to thoughtful legislative work and collaboration with state and community leaders in the next few months. Even though the legislature is “part-time”, it has become a full-time endeavor for me. I enjoy representing you and will continue to work hard as your legislator. I would appreciate your continued support and your vote in the upcoming 2020 elections.

President Trump sent a Proclamation declaring March 15th National Day of Prayer. I hope we can continue to pray for this together: I ask you to join me in a day of prayer for all people who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and to pray for God’s healing hand to be placed on the people of our Nation.

As your President, I ask you to pray for the health and well-being of your fellow Americans and to remember that no problem is too big for God to handle. We should all take to heart the holy words found in 1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.” Let us pray that all those affected by the virus will feel the presence of our Lord’s protection and love during this time. With God’s help, we will overcome this threat.”

-Melissa


2020 Legislative Summaries

In This Issue:

  • Bills I sponsored, co-sponsored, and floor-sponsored
  • Health legislation and helpful links
  • Education funding
  • Other highlighted legislation

Bills I Sponsored or Cosponsored

Below you will find a list of bills that I sponsored or cosponsored during this legislative session.

Sponsored
  • H.B. 40 Water Loss Accounting- This bill addresses data related to water including water losses.
  • H.B. 67 Local Education Agency Financial Information Systems- This bill amends provisions related to the Utah school information management system.
  • H.B. 313 Telehealth Parity Amendments-  This bill amends provisions related to insurance coverage for telehealth services and telemedicine services.
  • H.J.R. 12 Joint Resolution Celebrating Women's Suffrage in Utah- This resolution celebrates the history of women's suffrage in Utah.
Floor Sponsor
  • S.B. 162 Educational Financial Aid for Students with a Criminal Record- This bill amends qualifications for the Regents' Scholarship Program and New Century scholarships.
Cosponsored
  • H.B. 110 Inmate Expenses Amendments- This bill creates disclosure requirements related to inmate commissary accounts.
  • H.B. 70 Repeal of Single-mark Straight Ticket Voting- This bill amends provisions of the Election Code relating to the manner by which a voter casts a vote for all candidates from one political party.
  • H.B. 97 Newborn Safe Haven Amendments- This bill modifies provisions relating to the safe relinquishment of a newborn child..
  • H.B. 243 Warning Labels Amendments- This bill creates a cause of action that may be brought against a person who distributes pornography without a visible warning.
  • H.C.R. 16 Concurrent Resolution Calling for the Creation of a National Federalism Task Force- This concurrent resolution calls for the creation of a National Federalism Task Force for the purpose of convening a series of federalism summits.
  • H.B. 319 Consumer Lending Amendments- This bill amends Title 7, Chapter 23, Check Cashing and Deferred Deposit Lending Registration Act, Title 12, Collection Agencies, and Title 78B, Chapter 6, Part 3, Contempt.
  • H.C.R. 17 Concurrent Resolution to Create Awareness Regarding the Value of Birth Tissues- This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor encourages Utah's medical community to raise public awareness regarding the life-saving value of birth tissues.
  • H.C.R. 14 Concurrent Resolution Reaffirming Utah's Important Relationship with Taiwan- This resolution reaffirms the importance of the relationship between the state of Utah and Taiwan.
  • H.B. 256 Student Aid Amendments- This bill requires the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to be eligible for certain state financial aid for higher education.
  • H.C.R. 6 Concurrent Resolution Recognizing Luann Adams for Her Service as Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Food- This concurrent resolution recognizes LuAnn Adams for her service as the commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Food.
  • H.B. 238 Crime Enhancement Amendments- This bill changes the enhancements for possession of a controlled substance.
  • H.B. 272 Pharmacy Benefit Amendments- This bill amends the Insurance Code.
  • H.B. 259 Electric Vehicle Charging Network- This bill requires the Department of Transportation to lead in the creation of a statewide electric vehicle charging network plan.
  • H.B. 207 Insulin Access Amendments- This bill creates mechanisms to increase Utahns' access to affordable insulin.
  • H.B. 350 Impaired Driving Amendments-  This bill amends provisions and penalties related to a person's operation of a motor vehicle with a measurable controlled substance in the person's body.

Health funding and legislation

Mid-session COVID-19 accelerated spreading throughout the country, and the capitol established a no-handshake policy sending all the lobbyists and visitors out of the capitol. We allocated over $24 million to bolster efforts by health departments and other organizations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially among groups that are particularly susceptible to the virus. “Utah has a rainy-day fund, a culture of preparedness and the best health care personnel in the country who specializes in infectious diseases,” said Utah Senate President Adams. “Elderly are at a higher risk and that is why we are funding programs to protect those most vulnerable. We have conquered similar challenges in the past and will continue to work together to overcome this while minimizing the burden to Utahns and our businesses. Our strong economy gives us the flexibility to handle this situation.” Legislators also voted to include additional funding for:
  •  $250,000 to Meals on Wheels, a program targeted to assist senior citizens
  • $250,000 to the Food Box Program that provides 10 days’ worth of boxed meals to seniors
  • $250,000 in new home medical testing services to help minimize the spread of the illness
  • $250,000 in-home supportive services program for vulnerable populations
  • $2 million for local health departments to create intensive response programs for seniors
These funds are in addition to the $16 million given to the Division of Finance and the $4 million taken from the Disaster Recovery Restriction Account.

My telehealth bill HB313 passed unanimously


With the worry of spreading illness, expanding telehealth was a timely bill that will have a tremendous impact on helping to keep our communities healthier. HB313 does the following:
  • Any doctor who wants to do telehealth can rather than the few who are currently designated by insurance companies for virtual visits
  • Allows you to share the telehealth visit with health providers of your choice (right now none of the visits are shared with your providers)
  • Brick and mortar doctors are paid for telehealth visits at a commercially reasonable rate rather than the same cost of exclusively virtual nurse practitioners.
  • KUER highlights HB313, click here and here.
  • FOX13 Ben Winslow highlights HB313 as a top priority for Utah combatting COVID-19
  • COVID-19 updates: Domo has created a link for COVID-19 updates combining data from Johns
  • Hopkins University, Github repository, WHO, CDC, NHC, and DXY.
Interview with FOX13 Ben Winslow
Interview with Sonja Hutson from KUER
Drug prices SB138 PBM bill- unless prohibited by state law, only a pharmacy benefits manager or (PBM) directly to your own insurance was able to mail prescriptions. This changed the state law to allow others like your own neighborhood pharmacy to mail order.

HB 272 Pharmacy Benefits Amendment unanimously passed both the House of Representatives and Senate. This bill will significantly benefit Utahns by increasing drug price transparency and bending the cost curve on health care. 

HB 207 Insulin Access Amendments passed unanimously. This bill will make insulin more affordable, and therefore attainable, for all Utahns.
Legislators wore white ribbons on the final day of the session to express appreciation for health care workers who are working on a vaccine, testing for the virus and caring for those infected.
Press conference 3/12/2020 in the “Situation Room” with top State, Education, and Health leaders in the state: State Superintendent Sydnee Dickson, USU President Noelle Cockett, CEO UofU Health Dr. Michael L. Good, UofU Pres Ruth Watkins, state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn, Governor Herbert, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, Commissioner of Higher Ed David Woolstenhulme, Speaker of the House Brad Wilson, Senate Pres Stewart Adams. Click here to read more. 

Historic Education funding and legislation

The legislative session started with uncertainty over tax reform and ended in giving education a 6% increase on the weighted pupil unit or (WPU), which guaranteed funding for interest and growth, and an education rainy day fund. Click here to read more. 
You will have the chance to vote in November on the earmarked income tax also to include specific funding for children and those with disabilities- which would balance the general fund needs with the income tax funds for flexible spending as the economy fluctuates. For more information on this, click here and here.  
State and education leaders come together in support of HB357 and SB09 Senate Pres Stewart Adams, UEA President Heidi Matthews, SBOE Pres Mark Huntsman, Senator Ann Millner, Representative Mike Schultz, Governor Herbert, USBA President Mckay Jensen, Utah Superintendent Association President Terry Shoemaker, Utah State Superintendent Sydnee Dickson, PTA Education Commissioner Steve Hiarse, Speaker of the House of Representatives Brad Wilson, Governor’s Deputy Education Advisor Karen Peterson, Governor’s Education Advisor Tami Pyfer

SB104S2 Equalization for education funding


LETTER FROM CRAIG CARTER, DAVIS SCHOOL DISTRICT
I reviewed the funding bill earlier today which included a WPU increase of 5.0%, I can’t begin to express my gratitude for the largest increase in funding I have seen in my time as the Business Administrator. With the help of Representative Ballard, SB104S2 passed out of the House Education Committee this morning with a strong favorable vote.  We estimate that this could benefit the Davis School District between $2.0M-$3.0M in FY2021.  It would benefit multiple other districts throughout the state, including every Northern Utah District with the exception of Rich School District.

Again, thank you for your service in this session.  It truly makes a difference.
 
Many Thanks,
 
Craig Carter
Business Administrator
Davis School District
801-402-5257

Other Highlighted legislation from 2020 session


SB207 1 st sub Paid Leave Amendments – maternity leave for full-time state employees for six weeks
SB35 Circuit breaker bill: caps the property tax for low-income seniors
HB283 We enjoy some of the best outdoor recreation in the world. We want to preserve and increase access to these wonders for future generations to enjoy. HB283 created the Outdoor Adventure Commission that would focus on:
  • Strategic planning for statewide collaboration
  • Stewardship to preserve assets for future generations
  • Access for all Utahns
HB243 Pornography Warning Labels Amendments This bill allows the attorney general or a member of the public to bring an action against a person who distributes pornography without a visible warning or specific searchable text for a website.
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