David DeMille

ddemille@thespectrum.com

Legislators from across Utah gather Monday to start their annual 45-day general session, and in addition to their primary task of setting a $14 billion budget they could be tackling some age-old hot topics, including water, abortion, alcohol sales and medical marijuana.

Nearly 300 bills and resolutions were already set for consideration heading into the session, and lawmakers were expected to consider more than 1,000 by the time they wrap up on March 10.

A revenue forecast released in December estimated that lawmakers would have about $380 million in new, ongoing revenues to use as they craft a budget for the 2017 fiscal year, along with about $180 million in one-time funds.

As in past years, the expectation is for most of the new money to go toward education, with new growth and an increase in the number of students expected to account for some $112 million in new costs.

Some of the other hot-button issues are expected to include:

Water

The controversial Lake Powell Pipeline could see its prospects greatly improved if the Legislature approves a new measure to funnel major dollars toward it and other proposed new water infrastructure.

Sen. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, sponsored a bill last year to create a revolving loan fund, but only $5 million were dedicated to the fund.

This year, water districts across the state will be pushing for lawmakers to find ways to set aside more money, potentially through earmarks. Stuart has since introduced a bill that would draw money from the Transportation Investment Fund and move it into water.

“The only limiting factor to growth is water,” Adams said, arguing during a committee meeting on the bill that water is a key resource in keeping up with the anticipated growth.

Such a measure would face major debate though, with recent signs of uncertainty among some state leaders in the wake of a controversial legislative audit of the Utah Division of Water Resources that indicated there are holes in the state’s existing water data and an argument from a group of economists from state universities suggesting Washington and Kane counties would be unable to repay the state for the loan.

Gov. Gary Herbert’s own budget proposal suggested the state aim for better conservation and better data on its existing resources before moving ahead with any major projects. He proposed allocating $6 million to help collect better numbers.

Abortion

A measure that would target Planned Parenthood and abortion was released late last year, with Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, proposing a bill that would ban abortions performed after the time when a fetus could experience pain — something anti-abortion advocates have argued happens sometime after 20 weeks of gestation.

Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, has said she is working on a measure that would cut funding to Planned Parenthood.

Medical Marijuana

Since lawmakers approved a program in 2014 to allow cannabis extract oil in treating epilepsy, proponents of additional medical uses have been pushing to try more .

The epilepsy program is expected to see a renewal vote this year — it was passed as a two-year trial — and additional bills would allow marijuana treatment for those with cancer, AIDS and certain chronically painful conditions.

Sen. Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, has proposed expanding the law to make it legal to use a non-psychoactive marijuana extract to treat such conditions.

One proposal, championed by Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Eagle Mountain, would ban smoking the drug but allow people with certain chronically painful conditions to use edible marijuana products.

Herbert said last week he personally supports the idea of medical marijuana, but suggested uses should be regulated and research-based.

Alcohol sales

A proposal to do away with the so-called Zion Curtain would repeal state law that currently requires restaurants to prepare alcoholic drinks behind a barrier.

The barrier was created in 2009 as part of a larger package of bills that loosened the state’s liquor laws, with supporters saying it kept children from seeing any drink mixing. But opponents have argued the rule makes little practical sense and contributes to the state’s reputation for quirky rules with alcohol.

Healthcare

Another effort failed last year to close a coverage gap that has left thousands of low-income Utahns without medical coverage, with the House rejecting the “Healthy Utah” plan that Herbert had proposed because of concerns over costs and whether the federal government would continue to fund the program long-term.

Some lawmakers have said they intend to try again , with several proposals already on the table to try and address the coverage gap.

Higher education facilities

Southwest Utah residents will be paying close attention to funding requests for new higher education facilities that include $8 million for a new business building at Southern Utah University and nearly $40 million for a Human Performance and Student Wellness Center at Dixie State University.

Follow David DeMille on Twitter,@SpectrumDeMille, and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SpectrumDeMille. Call him at 435-674-6261.

Online

Read bills, find out about individual lawmakers and follow along with the Utah Legislature’s general session online at www.le.utah.gov.

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