Albrecht Give Legislative Report as Session Winds Down

By Rep. Carl Albrecht 

The 2019 Legislative session only has a few days remaining and work is speeding up. I am excited to see what we will accomplish in the next two weeks and am honored to be a part of the process.

Last week on the floor, we debated several important bills dealing with difficult issues like gun control, abortion and distracted driving. In the Natural Resources Committee, we debated making the gila monster the state reptile, a bill prohibiting the ban of plastic containers by cities and a bill allowing UTA to offer free fare on bad air days.

This past week, I had the opportunity to meet with several constituents and groups from my district, including presentations and discussions surrounding an upcoming tax reform bill began early this week, with hopes that it will be passed before the session ends on March 14.

HB 441, sponsored by Representative Tim Quinn, includes the widely awaited state sales tax cut. This bill will lower the 4.7 percent state sales tax to 3.1 percent gradually over the next fiscal year, ending in July 2021. This bill will also lower the state income tax from 4.95 percent to 4.75 percent. This legislation largely hopes to “lower the rate” and “broaden the base” in a society that is becoming more and more service oriented, rather than product based. In the bill, previously untaxed services like professional lawn care, cosmetic surgeries, legal services and professional services will be taxed. This bill leaves things like tuition, medical services and real estate mostly untouched. Through this bill, the median Utahn making about $65,000, married and with one child, is estimated to save about $634 a year.

The progress of my bills is summarized below:

HB 78 – Federal Designations

This bill Requires a governmental entity that is advocating for a federal designation within the state to bring the proposal to the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Interim Committee for review and legislative approval. This bill is on the agenda and will be presented to the House on Monday.

HB 110 – Rural Economic Development Incentives

This bill is an amendment to 2018’s HB 390 which authorized a rural employment expansion grant to businesses for the creation of new jobs in fourth, fifth, or sixth class counties. HB 110 will raise the maximum total incentive amount a business can apply for from $25,000 to $250,000 to allow and encourage businesses to hire more employees. Last week, this bill passed through the Senate and was finalized in the House and is now on the Governor’s desk to sign.

HB 125 – Quantity Impairment Modifications

This bill makes a one-word change to code dealing with water diversion applications, a bill approved by the State Water Task Force. This bill had its final vote in the Senate on Monday, where it passed unanimously. It is now ready to be signed by the Governor.

HB 175 – Transportation of Veterans to Memorials Support Special Group License Plate

This bill creates a special group license plate to support programs to transport veterans to Washington D.C. to visit veterans’ memorials with the Honor Flight Program. I presented this bill to a Senate committee on Tuesday and it will be presented on the Senate Floor soon. This bill was amended by the Senate last week, so it came back to the House. The House unanimously agreed with the amendment and this bill is also on the Governor’s desk to sign.

HB 220 – Radioactive Waste Amendment

Would allow low-level radioactive waste to be classified at the time of acceptance. Before any waste is received, it would have to receive approval from the Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (DWMRC). This bill received its final approval in the House this week after being voted on late last week and is now on the Governor’s desk.

HB 296 – Rural Online Working Hubs

This bill creates a grant program that provide resources to rural counties and qualified non-profits to develop co-working and innovation center facilities. The facilities will allow those rural areas to access broadband infrastructure, hardware, specialty facilities and work spaces that are necessary to become fully engaged in the online workplace. I presented this bill to the House floor early this week and it passed unanimously. This bill was also presented to a Senate Committee on Friday, where it was also passed unanimously. It will be heard on the Senate Floor in the coming days.

As always, I appreciate the comments you have sent me this week. It is important to me what my constituents think and it is an honor to represent you at the capitol. Please feel free to reach out to me or my intern with your questions, comments and concerns.

Contact me:
Representative Carl Albrecht
carlalbrecht@le.utah.gov
435-979-6578

Rachel Brown
Intern to Representative Albrecht
rbrown@le.utah.gov
385-479-0815