UTIC to continue but may receive overhaul
Its chairman, Stan Lockhart, told the Legislature's Utah Technology Commission on Thursday that Rep. John Dougall, R-American Fork, is working on legislation that would "keep the concept of UTIC alive but make some changes."
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 some of the suggested legislation did not get far, and poor attendance and myriad membership changes — as members tried to add UTIC duties to their private-sector activities — has stifled progress.
Lockhart posed the question, "Is UTIC necessary?" to the commission Thursday, but then answered it himself.
"The impact of technology on the state of Utah is such that I don't think we could ignore what's going on in the technology industry. . . . They're higher-paying jobs than average, and there's a lot of innovation and job growth and potential in technology, so it seems like there really is a reason for an entity like UTIC to exist to get that direct connection to the Legislature."
But Lockhart said he is seeking guidance about what type of relationship the council should have with the legislative and executive branches. Among the benefits of a closer relationship with the executive branch would be access to more research resources, he said.
"It depends on what you want. If you want a coordinated effort between the executive branch, the legislative branch and the industry, then there's a case to be made that we should have some sort of executive-branch connection. If you want raw, unadulterated feedback from the industry to the Legislature, then you might need to bypass that a little bit," Lockhart said.
The council's charter is "geared around researching things and discovering best practices," but the group is not equipped to do research, he said. "We're equipped to get feedback on the front lines."
But that industry feedback component could be strengthened if the council had more members who are chief executive officers of companies, he said.
"If we stay a direct line to the Legislature, then it needs to be the type of thing where we bring in CEOs and sit them at a table and say, 'Here's the problem. What do you recommend the Legislature do to find a solution?' "
The commission's co-chairwoman, Sen. Beverly Evans, R-Altamont, expressed a desire to keep the council.
"I think UTIC is one of the most important organizations we have in this technology area," Evans said. "We've had some good feedback, a good opportunity. We need to facilitate and keep that dialogue open. We appreciate that, recognizing that you've had a chance to go back and maybe make a few adjustments and change. We look forward to seeing what those are and support what you're doing."
E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com
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