Week 4 Legislative Summary

Hi all,

Hope youve all had a great week. We finished up week 4 of the session, leaving us with only
19 days left. The legislature managed to pass a whopping 73 bills this week, so we are on
our way! For those of you interested in the progress of the legislation Im sponsoring, you
can access updates at the link below. Scroll to the bottom for a brief explanation of my
newest legislation, an Air Quality Policy Advisory Board.
http://le.utah.gov/asp/billsintro/RepResults.asp?Listbox3=HAWKETD&cyear=y

Thanks again to all 140 of you who filled out my survey. If youd like to see the results (and
your neighbors input), you can access the report here: https://ql.tc/AdRMyE

Monday: We started the week with Gov. Gary Herbert and other federal and state leaders at
the Utah GOP breakfast. Common themes: Utah's in great shape, but we need to remain
diligent--and humble, prayerful--and work together to secure a brighter future.

Monday evening was an interesting one as well. Sometimes our job in the legislature is to
ask questions and push for greater transparency and accountability. Even if the cause is just,
we need to understand how precious tax dollars are being spent and whether we're
receiving value for the money. For those of you interested, the Salt Lake Tribune covered
Mondays discussion about the $2 million appropriation here:
http://www.sltrib.com/news/4936797-155/utah-groups-pushing-greater-local-control. You can
also listen to the full committee audio (skip to 1:26:10) here:
http://utahlegislature.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?
view_id=2&clip_id=21141&meta_id=673706
Tuesday: The Republican Caucus meeting had a full and exciting agenda. Steven Sparks,
President of the Utah Jazz, began the meeting by describing the Vivint Arena redesign,
coming this spring. Following Starks, Greg Miller discussed the big decision to put the Utah
Jazz into a Legacy Trust. Finally, Jazz Head Coach Quin Snyder talked about his rewarding
move to Utah and the progress of the team this season. The Utah Jazz Bear ended the
meeting with a confetti cannon.

The fun continued Tuesday when I spoke against the Spiral Jetty as the State Work of Art.
Right after conveying to my colleagues that the designation was merely a matter of
preference, I received this piece from a very artistic 10 year old with --can you guess-- the
Spiral Jetty, front and center!

Wednesday: I received an award from U.S. Term Limits for sponsoring HJR-12, a resolution
under Article V of the Constitution that calls on Congress to convene a convention of states
to consider possible amendments to the Constitution on the subject of Congressional term
limits. I joked with Mr. Pace here that Ive never received an award for doing so little!

Thursday: My bill, HB-238 Payment of Wages Act Amendments, passed the House
Thursday with unanimous support. This bill does two simple yet necessary things. The first is
the alignment of federal and state standards regarding employment law, thus simplifying the
process. The second is the clarification that for wage claims under $10,000, plaintiffs will be
required to take their claims to the Labor Commission (saving them both time and money).
For claims above $10,000 or in complex cases with multiple plaintiffs, employees may still
file their actions in court.
In other news:

Tax policy is shaping up to be the defining issue of this session. Dont worry folks,
there doesnt seem to be much appetite for overt tax increases. Instead, wed like to
focus on addressing the structural imbalances in the system

In the absence of compelling data that safety inspections make a tangible

difference in the protection of Utahans, HB-265 Safety Inspection Amendments
passed through the House and on to the Senate with 45 in favor and 29 opposed. The
bill repeals the requirement that certain vehicles obtain a safety inspection certificate
in order to be registered and to operate on a highway. If passed, the repeal should
save Utahans both the hassle and the cost of the inspections.

My latest endeavor is HB-392. This bill establishes an Air Quality Policy Advisory
Board made up of air quality experts from various backgrounds. There appears to be
a consensus among environmental and industry leaders alike that Utah needs to be
seeking more science and research oriented initiatives to improve our air quality. This
board would encourage that dialogue and advise the legislature on which efforts
would result in the most real and substantial differences.