01B0CDC585B2DCB487258822007250A3 Hearing Summary

The committee recessed.

Representative Duran and Representative Jodeh, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1259, concerning modifications to the Colorado works program. The bill makes several changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program known as the Colorado Works program in the Colorado Department of Humans Services. The bill will increase program benefits, expand eligibility for specific populations, modify program rules and operations, and require new public outreach, data collection, and reporting. The sponsors provided an informational packet to the committee (Attachment E).

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Commissioner Nancy Jackson, representing Arapahoe County, testified to amend the bill.

Natalie Seils, representing self, testified in opposition to the bill.

Cheryl Ternes, representing Colorado Counties Inc., testified to amend the bill.

Lynnae Flora, representing Jefferson County Human Services, testified to amend the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Byron Kish, representing Easterseals Colorado, testified to amend the bill.

Commissioner Dick Elsner, representing Colorado Counties Inc., testified in opposition to the bill.

Jay Morein, representing the Denver Department of Human Services, testified to amend the bill.

Lyle Smith Graybeal, representing self, testified to amend the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Sarah Barnes, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.

Coressia Sanders, representing the Clayton Early Learning Parent Ambassadors, testified in support of the bill.

George Davis, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Natasha Rugley, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Kayla Frawley, representing self, testified in support of the bill. She read a statement from Ealasha Vaughner, representing Clayton Early Learning, testified in support of the bill.

Lisa Guthery-Hoffman, representing Clayton Early Learning, testified in support of the bill.

Jillian Fabricius, representing Illuminate Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Chaer Robert, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill.

Jamie Ulrich, representing Colorado Counties Inc., testified in a neutral position on the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Written testimony was provided to the committee (Attachment F).

Representative Jodeh explained amendment L.001 (Attachment G).

Representative Jodeh explained amendment L.002 (Attachment H).

Representative Jodeh explained amendment L.003 (Attachment I). Representative Duran responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Jodeh explained amendment L.004 (Attachment J).

Representative Duran explained amendment L.005 (Attachment K).

Representative Duran amendment L.006 (Attachment L). She responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Duran explained amendment L.007 (Attachment M).

Representative Duran explained amendment L.008 and amendment L.009 (Attachments N and O).

Representative Jodeh and Representative Duran provided concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.