Legislation aims to streamline technology council

The Utah Technology Industry Council is trying to find its place in the world, but it appears it will at least have a place.

The council on Thursday pored over draft legislation by Rep. John Dougall, R-American Fork, that would change much of the council's duties, but Chairman Stan Lockhart said Dougall had considered a proposal to do away with the council entirely.

Dougall wants to "just streamline the process," Lockhart said. "And he has a point in that a lot of the charter that we have in the (existing) legislation is geared around research, and we really don't have the ability to do research. As much as the executive branch has been helpful to us, it's not like we've gotten a ton of research."

As currently written, the draft:

• Removes a requirement for joint meetings with the Utah Technology Commission.

• Calls for council meetings only when directed by the commission chairman.

• Changes council membership, removing requirements that certain members be from industry associations or senior officers in the tech industry and the like.

• Has the House speaker and Senate president take turns appointing the council chairman.

• Allows the creation of ad hoc committees to participate in the council's work.
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• Requires the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel to assist the council.

The council said Thursday it will invite Dougall to its December meeting.

The council became a state entity in 2003 after starting as an industry organization. Since then, it has suggested legislation, discussed issues facing the industry and acted as a liaison between the industry and state government. It has participated in votes on economic development matters during joint meetings with the commission. But poor attendance and membership changes have hampered the council's work.

Several members Thursday spoke of the need to get more tech CEOs involved, if not as members of the council then as members of ad hoc committees to study certain issues and suggest solutions in testimony to the Legislature.

Member Rod Linton said many CEOs would help in an ad hoc role. Because they are busy concentrating on their businesses, being part of a group that meets monthly "is not very appealing," he said.

Members also took time to discuss whether the council should become part of the executive branch or have closer ties to it. Lockhart said having "an unfiltered line" to the Legislature "has proven to be helpful," and others wondered if the legislative relationship would be hurt by a stronger executive-branch standing.