Becky Edwards

We started off the floor time this morning by discussing and voting on a few bills that I think will really make a big difference in the state. Two were sponsored by Rep. Brad Daw and dealt with the Controlled Substance Database maintained by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). The first, 1SHB35, outlines a procedure for notifying a practitioner following an overdose of a person to whom they have prescribed a controlled substance. The hospital initially notifies DOPL, who after receiving the report notifies each practitioner who may have written a prescription for the controlled substance of the overdose. The second bill, HB28, requires physicians who are licensed to prescribe a controlled substance to register to use the Controlled Substance Database and take a tutorial and test related to the database and prescribing of controlled substances. This would happen when the physician applies for or renews their license. Both these bills begin to take seriously the problem our state has with prescription drug addiction. I applaud the efforts of all involved in the creation of the bill and enthusiastically voted yes on both.

The other bill, HB24, sponsored by Rep. Brent Wallis, “Economic Development Incentives Act Amendments,” sets forth requirements of applicants for tax credit under the Economic Development Incentives Act to provide documentation that it has in fact met it’s obligations to create high paying jobs, had significant purchases from Utah vendors or providers, and made significant capital investment. I am wholeheartedly in support of economic development measures to attract and retain businesses and industry to our state, but am pleased to see the tightening up of responsibilities these entities have to our taxpayers.

We also met briefly in our standing committees. As a reminder the two standing committees I sit on are Political Subdivisions and Education. In Education we passed out of committee a bill by Rep. Rhonda Menlove that provides an option for school districts to expand the provisional teaching status from 3 to 5 years. We also passed out a bill by Rep. Sheryl Allen that requires background checks on non licensed employees in a school district (secretaries, custodial etc.) to be paid for by the applicant, rather than the school district. These tests for this level of employee typically run from $20-$40 but would save Davis School District around $250,000 a year, for instance. Teachers are already required to pay for their own background checks. Both groups must get background checks at the time of initial hiring and then every 5 years for teachers and every 6 years for non-licensed employees. A good move I think, that also happens to save school districts some money.

This evening Governor Herbert gave his State of the State address. His focus remains on three issues: Education, Energy, and the Economy. He recommitted to maintaining funding for public education and announced a new Energy Commission, which will also discuss air quality (hooray!!). More to come tomorrow….