OCR Text |
Show an DAILY 2006LEGISLATURE Thursday, February 16, 2006 HERALD | “You have not seer’ anything until you've seen an eagle Sera That is really an incredible sight to see.” Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City,es meas ca Bat ee by for livestock damage caused Gunbill goes (00 far for Senators Alan Choate DAILY HERALD Currentrules for carrying weapons in vehicles are confusing and desperately need updating, a Utah County senator said Wednesday — but his colleagues thought the proposed legislation went too far. The bill by state Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Eagle Mountain, would also address the presenceof guns in businesses and onprivate property. Members of a Senate committee decided to holdthebill for further consideration rather than sendit to thefull Senate. “This is too broad,” said Sen. Patrice Arent, D-Salt Lake City. Some Republican colleagues on the Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Criminal MARIO RUIZ/Daily Herald Justice Committee agreed, Karen Glen of Orem,sits with her daughters Abigail, front, and Amelia, who are both disabled. Eleven-year-old Amelia recently although Sen. Dave Thomas, started receiving state disability assistance after a nine-year wait. R-South Weber,voiced strong support forthebill. Madsensaid his bill is aimed at clarifying existing law.It would allow someone to have a loaded gun in car or.at his or her home,business or propty, as long as they are otherheroff,” Karensaid. appropriation; Kelneris also enablea pilot program to be wise legally entitled to possess Heidi Toth Amelia's namehas been on waiting to hear from federal started that will provide sup11e firearm. a waitinglist for these services judge ona class-action lawsuit port services for those people “This just really deals with Abigail Glen was terrorizing fornine years;she’s getting off alleging DSPD is not providing whodon't needcritical help. whereyou can take the gun her brothers Tuesdaynight. She it just in timeforherlittle sister medically necessary services in About 400 people on that waitunloaded, youcantakeit loadchased them aroundtheliving to get on, which is one reason atimely fashion. He declined to inglist have just graduated ed,” he said. room, climbed onto 6-year-old Glen thinks Amelia finally got commentfurther on the lawsuit from the special education sys| The proposal turns on speZack's back and then borrowed off. That waiting list, which has becauseit is ongoing. tem and are waiting for support cific definitions of terms such 8-year-old Nick’slightsaber and about 1,900 namesright now, employment, but not getting | as “loaded”and“concealed.” Right now peoplearesetried to spear her mother. is amongthetopics being adlected off the list based on their served becausetheir immediate ThereareseveralinconsisThepetite 2-year-old with a dressed by the Utah Legislature needs; people whoarein crisis needisn’t critical. This program tencies in current law — for big smile is fortunate in many this session. situations get highest priority. could help them. example, a gun in a trunk or ways, her mother, Karen Glen. The program provides nonRiggle, the waitinglist project “This would basically allow in caseis nota violation, but said. She's avoided the surgermedicalserviceslike respite coordinator for the Disability somecontinuity between the a driver couldbe in trouble for ies.illnesses and other health care, supportive workforce Community Alliance, said DSPD public, the special education “concealing” the firearm in the problems commonin herpeers; training and paying for a group needs a better strategyto ensystem and the people who are glove compartment.A pistol the babyof the Glen family homeorinstitutionalized care. sure the dollars were being waiting for services,” Kelner with a full magazine, mean“has been amazingly healthy DSPD Director George Kelner spentin the most economical said, adding that this program while, is not considered to be for someone with Down synsaid they're supportive of Gov. way possible. will have lowinvestments but loaded unless a roundis actudrome.” Karensaid. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s budget that 's our position that the dicould potentially net high really in the chamber. Abbyalso sharesa noticeable allocates $1.6 million to move rective to serve those with the turnsforthefirst 100 people Brian Judy of the National family resemblance withbig sis- somepeople off the waitinglist. mostcritical needs first isn't over the initial two years. Rifle Association noted that a ter Amelia; they have the same “That would basically bring allowing moneyto be spent Forthe Glens, it’s just a relief person driving witha pistol in hair and eyes and a touch of the the top 15 or 20 percent of in a way that would enableit to beoffthelist. The services samesmile. They also are both thelist into service, and those to serve more folks and serve aren't perfect: KarenGlen said disabled; Amelia, 11, has Dravet people clearlyare in desperate them earlier” to avoid more she'd like to get somegenetic syndromeandsuffers hundreds need for somehelp,” Kelner expensive crisis treatmentlater, testing for Amelia and speech of seizures a day. The two dissaid. “We would be thrilled to hesaid. and physical therapy for both of abilities present a numberof see that funded.” Manypeopledon't need the her daughters.Plus, she knows challenges for the Orem famDisability advocate Andrew expensiveinstitutionaltreatthe family will be back on the Continued from Al ily. but Karen Glen said some Riggle said the proposed allocament whentheyget onthelist, list soon enough with Abby. But of those may be taken care of tion is a good first step, butit's they need supportive employit's something. Becausethe schools keep nowthat Amelia will be receivnot enough. He wants to see the ment, help withdailyliving and “It gets to be little hard someof the moneyas their ing services throughthestate's Legislature appropriate about respite care, Riggle said. Servsometimes. huh?"shesaid, student population drops, AdDivision of Services for People $8.4 million, which will pay for ing those people earlier can put punching Abby's cheeks. ams said, schools areleft with with Disabilities. services for everyone on the them into workandin greater moreto go around. controloftheir lives. othcanbe “Theyjust called me a couple waitinglist Voucherprograms have weeks ago andsaid they'refillThe division is waiting for Kelner agreed. The other reachedat 344-2543 or surfaced at the Legislature the htoth@heraldextra.com. ing out the paperwork to get more thanthe Legislature's bill he’s watchingcloselywill past four years.All havefailed becauseof concern they take too much money from the public school system. Adams said he doubts the state school board or other education organizations will endorsethis bill either, but Bills could reap rewardsfor disabled. sian Sponsor: Sen. Mark MadSeyi sen,R4 Mountain Weapons Amendments — Changesthe circum- stances under which someonecanlegally carry a loaded weapon. plain view onthe passenger seat with a full magazine could be considered legal, while that samedriver would violate the law if he completely unloaded thepistol and put it in the glove compartment. Steve Gunn of the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, however,saidthelegislation would “throw the baby out with the bathwater”in trying to address the problems. Currently those with a concealed weapons permit can take a loaded gun in car, he said — but this bill would open thatability to people currently ineligible for such a permit. Thatlist would include people under 21 and people with convictions for domestic violenceoralcoholoffenses, hesaid. South OgdenPolice Chief Val Shupe, speaking on behalf of the Utah Chiefs of Police, alsocriticized the bill, saying it would endangerofficers as they perform routine work. Thomas, however, noted that most states around Utah have adopted similar provisions. “I don't see that somehow these communities have come unglued becauseofit,” Thomassaid. Somewordingin thebill concernedSen. Greg Bell, R-Fruit Heights, whosaidit could compromise an employer’'s ability to keep firearms out ofhis place of business. Vouchers Regents bill falls short in Senate Alan Choate A proposal to make thestate Boardof Regents nonpartisan diedin the Utah Senate on Wednesday The measure from House Majority LeaderJeff Alexander, R-Provo, had already cleared the Houseof Representatives and the Senate committee process, but was derailed on an11-13 vote. The Board of Regents oversees Utah's publiccolleges and universities. Utah's governor can appoint 15 membersof the 1$-memberboard, but no more thaneight of those can be from the samepolitical party. The governoralso appoints ‘onestudentrepresentative and twononvoting members comefrom thestate Boardof Education, Alexander's bill would haveeliminatedthat limit on political party representation, insertingin its place a provi- sionthat “all appointments .. shall be made on a nonpartisan basis.” Hesaid his concern was greater geographical representation, and has noted that only one representative on the board is from Utah County. Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, carried the bill in the Senate. “This bill is needed because t jot a political body,” he said. “This is a body that has HB #119 Sponsor: Rep. Jeff Alexander, R-Provo Board of Regents Amend- ments — Proposes making appointments to the state Board of Regents nonpartisan. onegoalin mind,andthatis furthering the educationof the citizens of this state andcitizens ofother states who may comehere.” Others, though, saw an opening for a governor — any governor — to stack the board with political appointees. “It bothers methat we're doing away with the political representation,” said Sen. Mike Dmitrich, D-Price. “I think the system has worked well for the last 40 years, 35 years.It really has not affected anyone unless you don't get an appointment. “J do not have a problem with the present governor, but you don't know what's going to happenin the future.” Added Sen. Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley City: “Balanceis good, I would speak against this bill because I don't think it’s needed.” Five Republicans joined the Senate's eight Democrats in opposing the bill Draperrepresentative announces run for Congress State Rep. LaVar Christensen announced Wednesdayhis intentionsto run for Congress in Utah’s 2ndDistrict in the upcoming election. The 2idDistrict, currently represented by Democrat Jim Matheson,spreads from Salt Lake Countyeastandsouth,including the northerntip of Utah County. “The 2nd District needs effective representation in Congress,” the Draper Republican said in a newsrelease. “Thereis arealdifference between what the twoparties offer for our state and our country, and that | difference matters.” | | | | | | Registry Continued from Al MargaretPlane, legal direc- tor for ACLU,refused to comment on the matter. Thelaw, should the repeal pass, wouldstill require Internet service providers to provide filtering tools, but-now they can chargefor the serviceif they wantto. Andit still requires themto restrict minors’ access to materialthatis in the harmful to minorsstatute, like pornography. Askedthree times during the committee hearing why he was repealing the adult content regitrotei made no mention lawsuit. He also proposed an amendmentthat struck languagein his bill thatsaid it ‘was “in response to a current Initial indications are that Christensenwill run a platform focused on decreasing federal regulation and taxes and working for morestate control in education,transportation, health care, the courts and publiclands. This yearin the state Legislature, Christensen has sponsored and co-sponsored 32bills and resolutions, many of them dealing with parents’ rights. Rep. Margaret Dayton, R- Orem,wentonrecord in support of Christensen inthe news release. “Hisdiligenceis impressive and no one,in my opinion, worksharderfor the people of Utah,”shesaid. HB #170 Sponsor: Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland Criminal Law Amendments — Bill gets rid of an adult contentregistry designed to help block Internet por- nography aspart of a law that was challenged as ungonstitutional. lawsuit.” “| felt the adult content registry was not required at this time,”he said. Healso saidlast year's bill sent a messagethe state was serious about filtering Internet pornography, and workat the federallevel has made the registry unnecessary, | | HB#184 Sponsor: Rep. Stuart Adams, R-Layton Parent Choice in Education Act — Thisbill would create a voucher schol. | arship program for students who attend qualify- | ing private schools. | \| {| | || | | | \| | realm ofpublic education. The numberofvoucherswill ultimately be determined by how much funding the Legislatureis willing to provide. Says it comes as close as posAdams calls his bill a comsible to pleasingall sides. promise that will helpall stuAdams suspects got the dents. votes to pas§ thebill “There's moreper-pupil “We don't knowtill t y— Spending, and wecan facilitate pushthe green buttons,” he the choice,” he said. said. “I wouldn'tbe trying to Scholarships would only go run if I didn’t think I could towardschools that comply doit.” with financial and testing stanNofiscal note has been redards set by the Legislature. leased onthebill, but it could They must be located in Utah reachas high as $15 million a and haveat least 25 students. year. Homeschooling would not be eligible. Vouchers would range from $500 to $3,500 based on Adams said he hopes to get income, with an average of the bill on the House Educaabout $2,000. The state fund tion Committee agenda Friday or next week. could be spent at the Legislature's discretion within the COMING TODAY Someofthe bills being discussed in the Legislature today: » SB 173: Licensure of Programs andFacilities — Criminal Background Check Amendments Contact the sponsor: Sen. Thomas Hatch, R-Panguitch, home:435-676-2214,e-mail: thatch@utahsenate.org What's happening:It will be heard in thsHouse Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee at 8 a.m. today in Room 25 of the West Office Building at the State Capitol Complex. D HB 410: Sex Offender Registration Fee Contact the sponsor: Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem, home:801-225-0721, e-mail: lfowlke@utah.gov What's happening:It will be heardin the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Standing Committee at 8 a.m. today in Room 25 of the West Office Building at the State Capitol Complex. First Substitute HB 28; Access and Fee Amendments to Government Records Access and Management Act D HB 12: Amendments to Government Records Access and ManagementAct Contact the sponsor: Rep, Douglas ean R4eon, deaparisiaahgov What's : They iebe heard in the Senate ernment Operations and Poltical Subdivisions tee at 8 a.m. today in Room 20 of the West Office Building. |