H_FIN_2020A 06/09/2020 02:54:04 PM Committee Summary

Representatives Esgar and Will presented Senate Bill 20-003 to the committee. The bill appropriates $6.0 million to the Department of Natural Resources to open a new state park at Fishers Peak and improve infrastructure and amenities at existing state parks.  Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment A.

Dan Gibbs, representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Esgar explained amendment L.010 (Attachment B).

Representatives Will and Esgar wrapped up their presentation to the committee.

Representatives Sullivan and Gray presented Senate Bill 20-207 to the committee. This bill amends the Colorado Employment Security Act to codify current practices, address public health emergencies, and to increase the amount a person can earn while receiving benefits. It also requires a study of unemployment assistance.  Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment C.

Tyler Jaeckel, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Gray and Sullivan responded to committee members' questions.

Representatives Roberts and Saine presented House Bill 20-1421 to the committee, along with amendment L.001 (Attachment D).  Under certain conditions, this bill allows a board of county commissioners or a city council to reduce or waive delinquent property tax interest payments, and provide assistance to local taxing jurisdictions.  Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment E.

Sandra Solin, representing Weld County and the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Judy Hicks, representing Anderson Whitney, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Valdez responded to committee members' questions.

Representative A. Valdez presented Senate Bill 20-219 to the committee. The bill directs the State Treasurer to execute a lease-purchase agreement to fund the continuation of certain capital construction projects.

Representative Valdez responded to committee members' questions.

Representative Snyder presented Senate Bill 20-210 to the committee.  This bill continues the $4 fee for Uniform Commercial Code filings through June 30, 2024, and continues the requirement for the Fraud Investigators Unit to report on its activities until July 1, 2025.

Representative Herod presented Senate Bill 20-211 to the committee.  The bill creates a prohibition on new extraordinary collection actions in Colorado through November 1, 2020, and requires certain notifications.  Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment F.

Daniel Vedra, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Herod wrapped up her presentation to the committee.

Representatives Sirota and Gray presented House Bill 20-1420 to the committee.  The bill makes various changes to state income, sales and use, and insurance premium tax expenditures.  Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment G.

Carol Hedges, representing Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in support of the bill.

Amie Baca-Ohlert, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill.

Garen Voorthman, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Jenifer Waller, representing Colorado Bankers Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Kelly Sloan, representing Colorado Agricultural Aviation Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Patrick Boyle, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ryan Woods, representing Xcel Energy, testified in opposition to the bill.

Stan Bailey, representing the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp., testified in opposition to the bill.

Stan Dempsey, representing the Colorado Mining Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified in opposition to the bill.

Scott Wasserman, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Weissman explained amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments H and I).

Representatives Sirota and Gray wrapped up their presentation to the committee.

Representatives Jackson and Caraveo presented Senate Bill 20-204 to the committee. This bill creates the TABOR-exempt Air Quality Enterprise in the Department of Public Health and Environment to conduct air quality modeling, monitoring, assessment, data analysis, and research, and to provide its data to fee payers and state regulators. The bill also increases revenue to the department from emissions fees to provide additional funding for improvements to air quality.

Garin Vorthmann, representing Colorado Oil and Gas Association, testified in a neutral capacity.