S_LG_2017A 02/28/2017 Committee Summary

02:03 PM -- SB 17-183



Senator Gardner, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 17-183 concerning support for the commissioning of the USS Colorado. This bill requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to make grants in support of the USS Colorado, a nuclear submarine expected to be commissioned in 2017. The grants will be used to pay for expenses related to the commissioning of the USS Colorado; to promote awareness of the USS Colorado within the state; and to support the crew of the USS Colorado. For FY 2017-18, the bill contains a General Fund appropriation of $200,000 to the DMVA.



The following person testified on the bill:



02:05 PM -- Bernie Herpin, representing the USS Colorado Commissioning Committee, spoke in support of the bill and identified other members of the committee attending the meeting.



02:06 PM -- John Macken, representing the USS Colorado Commissioning Committee, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the activities of the USS Colorado Commissioning Committee including sponsoring trips to Colorado for members of the USS Colorado's crew. He also identified former USS Colorados that have since been decommissioned and explained how crew members are involved in the construction of the submarine. He also distributed a commemorative coin for the USS Colorado to the committee.





02:22 PM



The chair closed testimony on the the bill, and Senator Gardner closed his remarks on the bill.

02:24 PM



The committee recessed.



02:31 PM -- HB 17-1054



The committee returned from recess. Senator Todd, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of House Bill 17-1054 concerning community military cooperation. The reengrossed bill directs the Department of Local Affairs to support cooperative intergovernmental agreements between military installations and local governments within its existing programs, resources, and technical expertise.



The following persons testified on the bill:



02:33 PM -- Greg Dorman, representing the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, spoke in support of the bill and discussed cooperation between local communities and the military that has been occurring on an informal basis. He also responded to questions from the committee about provisions of the bill.



02:37 PM -- Bruce Eisenhower, representing the Department of Local Affairs, spoke in favor of the bill and discussed the benefits of sharing state, local, and federal resources. He also responded to questions from the committee about provisions of the bill.



02:41 PM -- Rachel Beck, representing the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the bill and identified potential cooperative projects that may occur in El Paso County.



02:45 PM -- Brian Potts, representing Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, spoke in support of the bill and identified potential cooperative projects that may occur in Colorado.











02:48 PM -- Amy Stephens, representing the City of Aurora, spoke in support of the bill and discussed community outreach activities between Buckley Air Force Base and Aurora.



02:51 PM



The chair closed testimony on the the bill, and Senator Todd closed her remarks on the bill.

02:57 PM



The committee adjourned.