H_SA_2018A 04/11/2018 01:40:08 PM Committee Summary

Representative Foote made opening comments. Representative Willett, bill sponsor, made introductory comments regarding House Bill 18-1224.  The bill concerns the process that is due for the imposition of discipline that affects a person's ability to practice an occupation and requires the parties to submit to mediation.  The committee heard testimony on the bill on March 22, 2018.

Judge Matthew Azer, Office of Administrative Courts, testified on the bill from a neutral position. He answered questions from the committee.

Mike Maday, Mediation Association of Colorado, testified on the bill. He stated that in general his organization is supportive of the bill, but does have some reservations, which he discussed.

Ronne Hines, Department of Regulatory Agencies, answered questions from the committee.

Representative Willett explained amendment L.005 [Attachment A] and discussed the Legislative Council Staff memorandum concerning the fiscal assessment of proposed amendment HB1224_L.005 [Attachment B]. He answered questions from the committee.

Christy Chase, Office of Legislative Legal Services, answered questions from the committee regarding amendment L.005.

Representative Weissman explained amendment L.006 [Attachment C].

Representative Willett answered questions from the committee.  Committee discussion about amendment L.006 ensued.

Representative Weissman discussed amendment L.007 [Attachment D].  Representative Willett commented on amendment L.007.

Representative Weissman explained amendment L.008 [Attachment E].  The committee discussed amendment L.008.  Representative Willett commented on amendment L.008.

Representative Lundeen, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-175. The bill prohibits the state and any of its political subdivisions, except home rule municipalities, from entering into an employment contract or agreement with any public employee or union to compensate any public employee or third party for union activities or the costs associated with participation in union activities. It voids any existing employment bargains that include such provisions, and clarifies that a public employee is not prohibited from receiving compensated leave time for any personal purpose. The Attorney General is required to enforce the bill's provisions and any taxpayer of the jurisdiction where a violation occurs has standing to file an action in court to remedy the violation.

Representative Lundeen answered questions from the committee.

Tina Mueh, Colorado Education Association, testified against the bill.

Frank Gale, Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, testified against the bill.

David Lockley, Colorado Education Association and District Twelve Educators Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Representative Lundeen made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

Representative Herod and Representative Hansen, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1312. The bill disqualifies an internet service provider from receiving High Cost Support Mechanism (HCSM) grants if the provider engages in:

• blocking lawful internet content;

• paid prioritization of internet content;

• regulating network traffic by modifying bandwidth; and

• not providing transparency of its network management practices.

 

A provider that is determined by the Public Utilities Commission to have engaged in any of these anti-net neutrality practices is required to return any HCSM funds it received during the prior 24 months. The Attorney General's Office and the Broadband Deployment Board must develop guidance for consumers on filing complaints with the Federal Trade Commission to allege that a provider has engaged in any of these restricted activities. A governmental body contracting for internet service must give preference to a provider that certifies it will not engage in any of these restricted activities.

 

Representative Hansen distributed to the committee a handout, amendment L.001, and the Legislative Council Staff memorandum concerning the fiscal assessment of proposed amendment HB1312_L.001 [Attachments F through H].

Representative Hansen answered questions from the committee.

Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, answered questions from the committee.

Representative Hansen answered additional questions from the committee.

Ms. Berman answered additional questions from the committee.

Committee discussion with the bill sponsors further ensued. Representative Herod referenced a document from Broadband for America. The bill sponsors continued to answer questions from the committee.

Nicholas Colglazier, Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jeff Weist, Colorado Cable Telecommunications Association, testified in opposition to the bill. He answered questions from the committee.

Zack Amdurer, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Nick Gianoutsos, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Randy Chase, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Brianna Titone, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Chase, Representative Herod, and Mr. Amdurer answered questions from the committee.

Elizabeth Steele, Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.

Denise Maes, American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She answered questions from the committee.

Ms. Steele answered questions from the committee.

Representative Hansen explained amendment L.001.

Representative Herod and Representative Hansen made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made comments regarding the bill.