SALT LAKE CITY -- Wading through some 1,000 bills this session is not an easy task for legislators, so input from their constituents is invaluable. That is where the Davis Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee comes in. "We want to bring some strong recommendations as a group," Committee Chair Chris Dallin told legislators at a meeting held Jan. 24 on Capitol hill. The committee will be meeting with legislators every week throughout the session.

"Please use us as a way to study bills for you," said Dallin. "We hope through the next few weeks we can provide some help for you. Our goal is to narrow down the most important bills for Davis County."

The committee has formed a bill tracking system by assigning various people from the group to watch different bills. As the session progresses, the committee will formulate positions on the issues, then take them to the legislators for consideration.

First up in last week's meeting was the healthcare reform bill HB 133. "We haven't taken a formal position yet but we will," said Tim Pehrson, whose subcommittee is researching the bill. "We are trying to come up with a set of principles, but we would like some input."

Assistant Majority Whip Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, weighed in with his concerns over the bill. "There should be more input along the way before it gets to the Legislature for a decision," said Killpack.

"If more money is put in to pay for those who don't have insurance, everybody will share the risk, it just depends on how it is spread out."

Killpack explained that most patients are shielded from the true cost of healthcare. "They don't care about the cost because they have insurance to cover it," he said. "It acts as a catalyst for more spending. People figure if they have already met the deductible, they might as well go in for a complete overhaul."

Procedures such as Lasix that are not typically paid for by insurance are more transparent because the patient knows up front what the cost is, and it is also a competitive market.

"I'm waiting for McDonald's to put it in their drive through," laughed Killpack. "It is an over simplification, I realize. Everybody is slightly nervous, but it is headed in the right direction. We can't make everyone 100 percent comfortable."

Commissioner Louenda Downs presented the County Commission's view on property tax and trail preservation. "We are watching every bill that has to do with property tax," said Downs. "We acknowledge that things can be done in the Legislature. We've already taken some strides and this year should be very different. We just want the legislators to be cautious regarding anything that might be a knee jerk reaction. We are trying to fix things in our own arena."

"We recognize our commissioners have been in the refiner's fire," said Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful. "I truly, truly welcome your advice."

Downs also wanted the legislators to look at HB 104 on urban development and appropriations for money to help with trails through Davis County and along the Wasatch Front.

"The federal money is drying up, and we would like to tap into federal or state money," Downs said. "It sounds crazy, but you could ride a bike or walk to the Capitol. People want to be able to walk across the Wasatch Front and beyond."

The committee will meet next Wednesday to continue bill tracking and take it before the legislators again on Thursday, Jan. 31.