Author Archives: Karen Mayne

2012 General Legislative Session – In review

Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Comments Off by Karen Mayne

Today was the final day of the 2012 General Legislative Session. The Legislature was able to pass many bills and there was a lot of good discussion. I was able to pass 8 bills dealing with a variety of topics. I appreciate all of the emails, phone calls, and other involvement I have received from each of you; your participation is essential in this process. I look forward to continue representing you and encourage continued communication. Thank you for all of the support!!

Best regards,
Senator Karen Mayne

Please feel free to look at my website karenmayne.com or follow me via Facebook. Also, information about The Utah Legislature can be found at le.utah.gov
Senator Maynes Sponsored Bills:

  • 32 – Breast Cancer Prevention Amendments
    Health Care Professionals are now encouraged to inform women of the breast density. After a mammogram is administered the radiologist sends a letter to the patient informing them the results of the cancer screening;, now, with S.B. 32, the patient will be informed of her dense tissue also. I am very pleased it has passed and thank all those who stood in support of the bill.
  • 35 – New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act Amendments
    RV consumers have a new protection bill. This legislation will give the RV purchaser a road map procedure to remedy a dispute. If dealer is unable to fix problem with RV pertaining to wall, sub-floor, or roof after four requests, owner can then request mediation and manufacturers get involved. If mediation is unsuccessful owner can then turn to lawyer or other chosen outlet.
  • 81 – Para-Educator Funding
    This bill will help improve many schools by allotting money solely to be used for placing para-educators in Title one schools. These highly qualified and trained para-educators will assist reading programs. The overall goal of this bill being to lift failing schools.
  • 92 – Department of Commerce License Related Amendments
    This bill modified provisions related to occupational and professional licensing by the Department of Commerce. Bill clarifies and updates codes.
  • 121 – Workers’ Compensation Waiver Amendments
    This bill makes amendments pertaining to issuing waivers to opt out of the Workers Compensations Fund.
  • 169 – Judicial Conduct Commission Amendments
    This bill allows the Utah Supreme Court discretion in appointing judges to the Judicial Conduct Commission. It also further clarifies who the Conduct Commission consists of, terms, and logistics pertaining to appointings.
  • 195 – Transportation Safety Revisions
    This bill addresses safety pertaining to railroads, specifically crossing areas. More awareness by those driving or walking near crossing guards will lead to improved safety and health in the community.

Senate Concurrent Resolution:

  • 4 – Concurrent Resolution on Breast Cancer Screening
    This resolution is supplementary to SB 32 and recognizes the importance of women to receive regular breast cancer screenings. In resolution 4 women over the age of 40 are urged to receive an annual mammogram, at minimum. The resolution also recognizes the importance of public programs that provide breast cancer screening to uninsured women who cannot afford to be screened.

Please also view the Final Survey Results.

I was fortunate enough to be recognized by a few different entities during the session, such as The Utah Fire Caucus (pictured) and the Miss Kearns association. Each of these recognitions is truly an honor; it is a pleasure to work with so many great people.

Current Bills Sponsored by Senator Mayne

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 Comments Off by Karen Mayne

House Bill:

  • 27 – General Building Contractor Amendments
  • 280 – Foreclosure Notice Provisions on Residential Rental Property

Senate Bill:

  • 24 – Research Tax Credit Amendments
  • 32 – Breast Cancer Prevention Amendments
  • 35 – New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act Amendments
  • 81 – Para-Educator Funding
  • 92 – Department of Commerce License Related Amendments
  • 107 – Possession of Graffiti Paraphernalia
  • 121 – Workers’ Compensation Waiver Amendments
  • 130 – Workers’ Compensation Coordination of Benefits Amendments
  • 169 – Judicial Conduct Commission Amendments
  • 195 – Transportation Safety Revisions

SJR

  • 1 – Concurrent Resolution Supporting Establishment of a Fund for Assistance to Families of Fallen Officers
  • 4 – Concurrent Resolution on Breast Cancer Screening

Responses to recent bills:

Today I voted against S.B. 112 (Multi-channel Video or Audio Service Tax Amendments – Sen. Niederhauser) This bill did fail today on the senate floor. At this time it would take over 6 million dollars out of the General Fund, money that is needed for other state interests. During the current economic rebound it is simply not the time for this bill.

I voted in favor of S.B. 110 (Deferred Deposit Lending and Forum Requirements – Sen. McAdams) Unfortunately the bill failed in committee. I found it fair to give clients of the lending community the opportunity to provide the needed services for clients in a convenient location. I thank you for your interest and involvement.

General Session 2011 – Senator Mayne’s Legislation

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Comments Off by Karen Mayne
  • SB11S01
  • SB35S01
  • SB191 All three pieces are Landmark Legislation defining and regulating Owner/Employee status ( passed overwhelmingly in both House’s)
  • SB69 Legislation that protected a small business in Taylorsville by removing unfair tax advantage from the State. ( passed)
  • SB94S01 Requiring Constables to carry and display their badges and papers while on duty. This protects the public from unauthorized people. (passed)
  • SB23501 Allowing Charter School Children to participate in activities at Public Schools; such as athletics, dance and the arts. (passed)
  • SBSCR12 Making Women Aware of the dangers of Heart disease and promoting good Heart Health. (passed)
  • SJ3S01 Promoting Adult Immunization (passed)
  • SJR15 Resolution encouraging and supporting non-traditional occupations for women. (passed)

Floor Sponsored Bills from the House of Representatives

  • HB168 Child Identity Theft Protection (passed)
  • HB169S1 Firearm Laws Modifications (passed)
  • HB209 Labor Commission Amendments (passed)
  • HB221 Car Inspections (passed)
  • HB314 Insurance Requirements for Child Care Buses (passed)

Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 26, 2011 Comments Off by Karen Mayne

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.

Kindly, Your Senator,
Karen Mayne

Taking Care of Business

Monday, November 7, 2011 Comments Off by Karen Mayne

Taylorsville hosted its first community talent show, “Taylorsville’s Got Talent.” To kick off the evening, Mayor Russ Wall, Senator Michael Waddoups, Senator Karen Mayne, Representative Johnny Anderson, and Representative Wayne Harper sang, “Taking Care of Business,” as a new group – BTO – Bennion Taylorsville Overdrive.

West Side Open 2011

Monday, July 25, 2011 Comments Off by Karen Mayne

A golf fundraiser sponsored by and for Senator Karen Mayne
Tuesday, August 16 · 7:00am – 2:00pm

Breakfast & Registration: 7am
Shotgun Start: 8am
Lunch: 1pm

Sponsorships Available: (See announcement graphic)

For more info, please contact:
Lisa Spatafore 801-971-9636 lcshades@msn.com

West Ridge Golf Course
5055 South Westridge Blvd. (5600 West)
West Valley City, UT

Transportation bill: McEntee

Sunday, May 8, 2011 Comments Off by Karen Mayne

Salt Lake Tribune article by Peg McEntee: Democrat has her reasons to buck colleagues

It was pretty much a Republican sweep as the Utah Senate voted to override Gov. Gary Herbert’s veto of a transportation bill that would have earmarked as much as $60 million a year for road construction.

The anomaly came when Democratic Sen. Karen Mayne, a fierce defender of her West Valley City constituents, sided with her GOP colleagues.

Mayne’s explanation was simple. Her already sizable district is growing, congested and is hard to get around by car and certainly by bus, as a result of the Utah Transit Authority’s own budget woes and its increasing emphasis on TRAX.

“We can’t walk to the store. We get in our car and go,” she said during Friday’s Senate debate. “That’s what we do in West Valley City. We don’t have city blocks, we have county blocks.”

Work is continuing on the Mountain View Corridor, which will connect northern Utah County with the western edge of the Salt Lake Valley. As these things do, it will take a toll: 54 houses are scheduled for demolition to make room for the freeway.

But for those that remain, there’s no UDOT money for sound walls that would protect people from the freeway itself and the clamor of an estimated 24,000 cars and trucks roaring by every day.

“I don’t want a chain link fence to be the only barrier,” Mayne said.

She’s also an outspoken champion of labor and the men and women who would find jobs in the construction trades.

(read full article on sltrib.com)

Signing of Worker Classification Bills

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 Comments Off by Karen Mayne

Signing of SB 11, 35, and 191

Accompanied by bill sponsor Senator Karen Mayne, Governor Gary Herbert ceremonially signed Senator Mayne’s recently passed legislation, SB 11-Worker Classification Coordinated Enforcement, SB 35-Construction Licensees Related Amendments, and SB 191-Workers’ Compensation Coverage Waivers. These three companion bills closed a loophole that allowed some companies to designate workers as “owners,” thereby avoiding paying taxes and other employee-related costs. Senator Mayne engaged numerous government agencies, business entities, and individuals in this effort, garnering their assistance and support. Our community is well served by legislators such as Senator Mayne.

http://www.utahsenatedemocrats.org/archives/966

Taylorsville Food Pantry receives donation from State Senator

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 Comments Off by Karen Mayne

http://www.taylorsvillekearnsjournal.com/

The 2011 Session

Sunday, March 20, 2011 Comments Off by Karen Mayne

The 2011 Session has just ended! Here is a quick summary of my time on the Hill. I was able to successfully sponsor and co-sponsor seventeen pieces of legislation. I passed three bills that protect Utah workers and businesses that follow the rules. These are my “Commerce with Conscience” bills:

SB 35, Construction Licensees Related Amendments, is landmark legislation that redefines membership criteria for LLCs in the construction industry, preserving the traditional employer/employee relationship, ensuring proper payment of payroll taxes and protection of workers through work comp, unemployment insurance and proper withholding.

SB 11, Worker Classification Coordinated Enforcement, greatly increases efficiencies between the Labor Commission, Department of Commerce, Department of Workforce Services and the State Tax Commission in sharing vital information to ensure protection for workers and compliance for businesses.

SB 191, Workers’ Compensation Coverage Waivers, moves the responsibility to issue work comp waivers from the Workers’ Compensation Fund to the Labor Commission, reducing fraud and confusion and allowing for greater accountability.

Other labor-related bills I co-sponsored include:

HB 188, Labor Commission Related Amendments (Rep. Morley), allows the Labor Commission to take advantage of electronic technology to send and receive documents, saving time, paper and postage.

HB 209, Workers’ Compensation Premium Assessment (Rep. Morley), ensures adequate funding for the Employers’ Reinsurance Fund so it can continue to meet its obligations to employers and injured workers.

Safety-Related Bills

HB 168, Child Identity Theft Protection (Rep. Hutchings), is landmark legislation that allows parents and guardians to protect their children’s social security numbers to reduce the risk of identity theft.

SB 94, Uniform Requirements for Constables, now requires that constables wear identification badges to give the public knowledge and notice of who they are, increasing public security.

HB 314, Insurance Requirements for Child Care Buses (Rep. Anderson), encourages the child care industry to use school buses by reducing the amount of insurance liability coverage required to a more reasonable level.

Education-Related Bills

SB 69, Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Textbooks for Higher Education, gives private sellers of textbooks for higher education the same tax exempt status as college bookstores, leveling the playing field for these small businesses.

SB 235, Charter School Students’ Participation in Extracurricular Activities, allows students attending charter schools to choose to participate in extracurricular activities either at their charter school, at the public school on whose campus their charter school is located, or at their boundary school, allowing greater ability for participation for these students.

Resolutions and Acknowledgements

Senate Concurrent Resolution 12, Wear Red Month, designates February as “Wear Red Month” in cooperation with the American Heart Association, and urges all citizens to show their support for women and the fight against heart disease as well as heightens awareness of heart-healthy lifestyles and the signs and symptoms of heart attack in women.

Senate Joint Resolution 3, Adult Immunization Awareness Month, brings awareness to the importance of adult immunizations such as flu and pneumonia shots and other vaccines that improve adult health and decrease human suffering and costs related to disability, lost wages and health care.

Alternative Careers and Skills for Women Acknowledgement promotes awareness of non-traditional and well-paying jobs for women in the trades and construction industries as a means to acheive financial stability, security and independence.

Technical Change Bills

HB 208, Administrative Services Amendments (Rep. Harper), allows the State Archives Fund to accept private monies and gifts, as many other state departments can, and makes some necessary technical updates to the Department of Administrative Services.

HB 169, Firearm Laws Modifications (Rep. Seelig), makes needed technical changes only.

Thank you for your support!

Karen

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