H_SA_2020A 01/15/2020 09:48:31 AM Committee Summary

Colonel Brey Hopkins, Deputy Executive Director, Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), introduced himself to the committee and discussed his background. He also introduced Greg Dorman, Resource and Legislative Director for DMVA.

Col. Hopkins described DMVA's performance plan (Attachment A) and provided a handout (Attachment B) to the committee members.  He discussed recent developments in U.S. military structure, including the creation of the U.S. Space Force, and their impact on the state and the Colorado National Guard.

Col. Hopkins discussed the work of the Division of Veterans Affairs and the Civil Air Patrol.

Col. Hopkins discussed the DMVA's "wildly important goals": reducing the stigma of seeking mental health assistance, increasing the understanding of veterans' needs to improve their customer service experience, improving environmental and energy stewardship, and increasing the number of middle and high schools with Civil Air Patrol cadets.

Col. Hopkins described DMVA's budget decision items and legislative agenda.

Col. Hopkins responded to a committee member question about the impact to the state if the United States were to go to war. He addressed another question about the value of the Civil Air Patrol to Colorado's schools.

Mr. Dorman responded to a question about the encroachment of development around Buckley Air Force Base by discussing the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program begun several years ago. Col. Hopkins noted, in response to a question, that no current Colorado guard members are deployed in Iraq.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Jena Griswold, Secretary of State, introduced herself and staff from the Department of State (DOS). She provided performance highlights from the department in the past year. She discussed DOS's progress on implementing legislation from the 2019 session.

Secretary Griswold updated the committee on performance highlights from each of DOS's four divisions.

Secretary Griswold discussed cybersecurity threats and cyber attacks faced by Colorado's election systems.

Secretary Griswold discussed the dangers of disinformation about elections, particularly on social media.

Secretary Griswold responded to questions about the state's vulnerability to cyber attacks on elections.

Secretary Griswold responded to a question about online disinformation campaigns.

Representative Esgar, chair of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), introduced the purposes of the Joint Rule 25 hearing.

Senator Zenzinger presented the three budget decision items for the DMVA. She responded to committee member questions about spending authority for the National Guard tuition assistance program.

Representative Ransom presented one budget decision item for the DOS. Representative Esgar noted pending issues resulting from House Bill 19-1278, which will be addressed in legislation in 2020.

Senator Zenzinger noted that JBC staff prepares issue briefs on more detailed budget decision items, which are available on the committee's website.

Josh Abram, Legislative Council Staff, discussed the fiscal note process and introduced fiscal analysts who work on issues relevant to the committee. He explained the new demographic notes and greenhouse gas emissions reports.

Andrea Uhl, Joint Budget Committee staff, introduced herself and discussed the role of JBC staff in the legislative process.