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[Dome]Interim Calendar and Briefing

October 2, 1996

Contents:
Calendar of Scheduled Meetings
Agenda Information Regarding Scheduled Meetings
BRIEFINGS - Information Regarding Recent Meetings

Calendar of Scheduled Meetings

Tuesday, October 8, 1996
Administrative Rules Review Committee -
10:00 a.m., Room 22
Wednesday, October 9, 1996
Administrative Rules Review Committee -
9:00 a.m., Room 22
Monday, October 21, 1996
DHS Restructuring Task Force -
10:00 a.m., Room 116

Agenda Information Regarding Scheduled Meetings

Administrative Rules Review Committee

Co-chairperson: Senator Berl E. Priebe
Co-chairperson: Representative Janet Metcalf

DHS Restructuring Task Force

Temporary Co-chairperson: Senator Johnie Hammond
Temporary Co-chairperson: Representative Hubert Houser

BRIEFINGS - Information Regarding Recent Meetings

CHILD SUPPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

September 20, 1996

Background.
This is a statutory committee charged to make recommendations to the Department of Human Services concerning child support matters.
Director's report.
The Director's report included a summary of the progress of the Outcome-Based Budgeting work group which formed by DHS to meet the goals of improved customer access to child support recovery unit services and increased establishment and enforcement of child support orders. The report also included a summary of budgetary recommendations to meet these goals and a summary of recently enacted federal legislation relating to child support enforcement.
Upcoming Rules.
The agenda also included an explanation of the new rules relating to the notice of income withholding to an employer and updates from representatives of the policy/guidelines, legislative/operations and public awareness subcommittees.
Next Meeting.
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for November 15, 1996.

GOVERNOR'S COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING REFORM -- INFRASTRUCTURE SUBCOMMITTEE

September 25, 1996

Background.
The Infrastructure Subcommittee of the Governor's Committee on Spending Reform held its third meeting. The charge of the Subcommittee is as follows:
Infrastructure Definition.
Subcommittee members agreed to spend the meeting working on statutory language to propose to the Governor and the General Assembly that would replace or amend language on the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund enacted in Senate File 2421 during the 1996 legislative session. With the help of a memorandum prepared by subcommittee member, William Dikis, the subcommittee focused on drawing distinctions between infrastructure projects based on the proposed cost of the project. Members called upon staff and guests to provide them with information relating to the General Assembly's statutory intent. Mr. Scott Newhard, Associated General Contractors, stated his belief that the General Assembly intended that use of the word "construction" includes new construction and the costs associated with it.
Regents Infrastructure.
Mr. Wayne Richey, chairperson of the Iowa Board of Regents made a brief presentation on the importance of retaining much of the current system for the Regents institutions under which the three public universities prioritize their infrastructure needs and transmit them to the Board of Regents for review. He explained because so many of the universities' infrastructure decisions are driven by the academic needs of a particular university, it is important that the review function be conducted by a panel, such as the Board of Regents, which is more sensitive to those academic needs as prioritized by the universities.
Future Meeting.
The Subcommittee will meet on Thursday, October 9, 1996, to finalize its recommendations which will be transmitted to the Governor's Committee on Government Spending Reform.

Education Telecommunications Council

September 27, 1996

Background.
The Education Telecommunications Council is established in Iowa Code section 8D.5 for the purpose of establishing scheduling and site usage policies for educational users of the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), coordinating the activities of the regional telecommunications councils, developing proposed rule changes for recommendation to the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission, and recommending long-range plans for enhancements needed for educational applications.
Federal Telecommunications Act Update.
he Council was informed about provisions under the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 which will impact the ability of K-12 schools to access advanced telecommunications. The Act provides that telecommunications carriers are to provide "substantial discounts" in rates to educational institutions and libraries with respect to access to advanced telecommunications services. Rules will be adopted which will provide a definition of "substantial discount".
ICN Video Rates.
The Council discussed recent action taken by the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission (ITTC) to raise certain video rates currently being charged by the network. The Council formally adopted a motion to request that the ITTC review and develop a policy/framework/quantifiable methodology to be used for establishing rates in the future. The Council also moved to recommend that the ITTC reexamine the one dollar increase for higher education at the Commission's November meeting.
Authorized User/Use Task Force Update.
The Council received two documents representing the ICN Authorized User/Use Task Force's initial work completed at its first meeting which was held on September 20, 1996. The Council reviewed the information and was briefed on the process and progress of the Task Force by members of the Council who are serving on the Task Force. The second and final meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for Friday, October 25, 1996.

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