House votes to remove formal Intergenerational Poverty Commission but retain reporting functions

The House adopted a first substitute and passed House Bill 50 on Jan. 19, 2022, removing the formal Intergenerational Poverty Commission but keeping the commission's work and reporting within Workforce Services. Representative Handy, sponsor of the substitute, said the commission’s original 2012 framework had succeeded and that “the work will continue” even if the formal commission ends.

Sponsor remarks described the commission’s decade of work to identify and track intergenerational poverty and noted the decision reflected that the framework could now be maintained without a standalone commission. Handy said reporting responsibilities would be incorporated into Workforce Services’ annual report and argued the change does not stop counties from doing the work.

Several members asked about county capacity and confidentiality. Representative Lyman raised concerns that small counties may lack infrastructure to carry out added responsibilities; Representative Lund asked how confidential data would be protected in schools and suggested the matter was important though specifics were not provided in the floor debate. The sponsor acknowledged county differences and said the commission had provided a framework used by counties such as Weber County.

The House passed the substitute and final bill by voice/count, recorded as 72 yes and 0 no votes; the bill will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.