Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We will end the 2020 Legislative Session this Thursday. We have passed around 200 bills so far and we still have many more to consider before the end. The most important bill we will consider next week will be our “bill of bills”, the completed budget bill.
Budget
While we do not have the final budget prepared yet, our Executive Appropriations Chairs have assured us that we will be increasing education funding again this year. Utah legislators consistently prioritize education funding and have increased it from $2.8 billion to $3.8 billion in the past five years alone. We are expecting to see a 5 percent increase to the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) and over $500 million in new money to education.
Education Funding Proposal
Utah is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, with a population expected to double in the next 40 years. The Legislature is taking important steps to protect education funding as Utah’s population grows and the economy fluctuates. S.J.R. 9, Proposal to Amend Utah Constitution – Use of Tax Revenue would allow the use of income tax revenue to support services for children and individuals with disabilities, including social services that supplement educational needs and support students’ physical and mental health. This proposal is subject to voter approval and will take effect if Utahns approve it during the November 2020 general election. This bill generated a lot of debate in the Senate and ultimately passed. This bill will now be considered in the House.
Distracted Driver Amendments
Distracted driving causes thousands of accidents in Utah each year – an estimated 25 percent of all Utah accidents. Hand-held cell phone use while driving has been illegal in Utah since 2007. Since it is not a primary offense, enforcing this law has been difficult. For example, law enforcement cannot pull drivers over for texting while driving on the freeway. As the law currently stands, hand-held cell phone use while driving is only punishable when coupled with another primary traffic violation. H.B. 101, Distracted Driver Amendments, would make holding a cellphone while driving a primary offense. Drivers would still be permitted to communicate on their phones in a hands-free manner, using means such as blue tooth, cell phone mounting devices or simply resting their phone in a secure spot. Drivers would be allowed to briefly tap or swipe their phones to answer calls or use cell phone assistants like Siri or Ok Google. Exceptions would be allowed during emergencies. As someone who has lost a friend who was hit by a distracted driver, I was a supporter of this bill.
Twenty-two other states have passed similar laws, and are seeing declines in motor vehicle accidents. This bill generated considerable debate on the Senate floor, but ultimately passed on the 2nd reading.
You can listen to the floor debate here.
E-Cigarettes in Schools
The coordinated effort to reduce the use of e-cigarettes among our youth is greater than ever. H.B.58, Electronic Cigarettes in Schools Amendments, establishes rules regarding vaping on school property. For example, local education agencies would be required to adopt policies for confiscating and destroying e-cigarette and vaping products when students are found in possession of e-cigarettes and vaping products in school. The harmful effects of vaping would be added to the health curriculum. Students who report feeling socially isolated in school are three times as likely to have vaped in the last thirty days. With this in mind, H.B. 58 will incorporate programs addressing the social and emotional reasons youth turn to vaping and other addictive substances.
This bill passed in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and will now be considered by the full Senate.
You can listen to the committee presentation here.
Medical Billing
Balance billing, also known as surprise billing, is a major cause for concern in our state and throughout the nation. A major hindrance in addressing this issue is the lack of data about exactly what is happening in our state with our patients. S.B. 155, Medical Billing Amendments, requires that all data on balance billing be collected by the same entity through one year and recorded to help everyone see exactly where problems are arising. The hope is that this data collection will bring insurers and providers together and result in better self-regulating. This bill requires a report to the Legislature after one year of data collection. Stakeholders worked together on this bill and are in agreement. This bill passed in the Senate and is now up for consideration in the House.
You can listen to the floor discussion here.
Insulin Access Amendments
Utahns with diabetes are facing barriers to accessing insulin. Over 200,000 Utahns have diabetes, and about 50,000 depend on insulin. Insulin is expensive, costing upwards of $2,000 per month. Many patients struggle to afford it; others needing insulin are turned away at pharmacies when their prescriptions have expired. Roughly one in four insulin-dependent individuals are being forced to ration their insulin – using less than they are prescribed. This has led to exacerbated health problems and some fatalities. H.B. 207, , Insulin Access Amendments, presents a series of solutions to address the state’s insulin crisis. It provides for dispensing changes, bulk-purchasing and low-cost plans. This bill passed in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and is currently on the 2nd reading calendar.
You can listen to the committee presentation here.
Coronavirus
With the coronavirus (COVID-19) continually making headlines, many Utah citizens are asking about our state preparations. The short answer: Utah is ready. Utah and its citizens are uniquely prepared to handle this situation. We have a culture of collaboration, preparedness and caring for neighbors.
Even though this is a worrisome public health situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believes the immediate coronavirus health risk to the general public is low. There is a lot of misinformation about COVID-19. Accurate information, facts and prevention tips about COVID-19 can be found online at coronavirus.utah.gov as well as on social media @UtahCoronavirus. Utah citizens can trust these sources, which are being continually updated.
To help reduce the spread of all sickness, we can each take preventive steps, including
- Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue and then throwing the tissue in the trash
- Proper handwashing – 30 seconds with warm soapy water – taking care to include both thumbs
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
- Supporting our personal immune systems through adequate rest and good nutrition
- Staying at home if sick.
These practices will not only help prevent the spread of the coronavirus but will also help protect against seasonal flu viruses.
What do you think?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you in the Utah State Senate. I hope you will reach out to me with your thoughts on the issues we are considering this session!
Thank you,
Curt Bramble
Senate District 16
