S_BLT_2023A 01/31/2023 02:10:13 PM Committee Summary

Ms. Taffy Wagner, representing herself, testified.

Ms. Shalah Zimmerman, representing herself, testified.

Mr. Gelender returned to the table to respond to questions raised during testimony.

Mrs. Danyiell Lindoerfer Eckrich, representing herself, testified.

Mr. Gelender returned to the table to respond to questions raised during testimony.

Senator Rodriguez will act as sponsor of the Sunset Bill.

Senators Simpson and Hansen introduced Senate Bill 23-066, concerning the continuation of the Advanced Industry Acceleration Program. The bill extends the Advanced Industry Acceleration Program in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade by ten years.

Ms. Mary Austin, representing the Colorado Cleantech Industries Association, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Andrew Maxey, representing Vartega, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Xander Martin, representing the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Jessica Kostelnik, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Martin responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Elyse Blazevich, representing the Colorado BioScience Association, testified to amend the bill.

Dave Dazlich, representing the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.

The sponsors made closing comments on the merits of the bill.

Senator Winter introduced Senate Bill 23-046, concerning the average weekly wage for paid leave benefits. The bill modifies the calculation of family and medical leave benefits by calculating the benefit amount on all jobs worked in the base period instead of only the jobs from which the employee is taking leave. She responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Melissa Young, representing the American Council of Life Insurers, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Mr. Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified to amend the bill.

Senator Winter responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Kaitlin Altone, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Esther Turcios, representing the Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Natalie Petrucci, representing A Better Balance, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Turcios responded to questions from the committee.

Additional written testimony on the bill may be found in Attachment D.

Senator Winter made closing comments on the merits of the bill.

Senator Winter introduced Senate Bill 23-017, concerning additional uses of paid sick leave. The bill adds new uses for accrued paid sick leave, including for an unexpected school closure or daycare, and for issues arising from the death of a family member.  The sponsor distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment E).

Ms. Kayla Frawley, representing ProgressNow Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Natalie Petrucci, representing A Better Balance, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Winter discussed the purpose of Amendment L.001.

Committee members made comments on the merits of the bill.