38280CEFA525DCC187258226007B3037 Hearing Summary

Senator Coram and Senator Sonnenberg introduced Senate Bill 18-002, concerning financing rural broadband development. The bill phases in additional funding from the High Cost Support Mechanism to support broadband deployment grants.

Senator Sonnenberg discussed the purpose of proposed amendment L.001 (Attachment E), amendment L.011 (Attachment F), amendment L.013 (Attachment G), amendment L.014 (Attachment H), and amendment L.015 (Attachment I).

Senator Williams discussed the purpose of amendment L.009 (Attachment J).

Jay Shore, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, spoke about the bill.

Bill Levis, AARP, spoke about the bill.

Tony Prendergast, representing himself, spoke about the bill. He responded to comments from the committee.

Jason Bronec, Delta Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), spoke in support of the bill.

William Patterson, TEI Rock Drills, spoke in favor of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Sonnenberg responded to questions from the committee and made comments on the discussion.

Jack Johnston, Southeast Colorado Power, spoke in support of the bill.

Jon Saunders, SECOM, spoke in favor of the bill.

Senator Sonnenberg made comments on the preceding testimony.

Norm Steen, Colorado Counties, Inc., spoke about the bill.

Damon Lockhart, DMEA, spoke in favor of the bill.

Pete Kirchhof, Colorado Technology Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Jeff Weist, Colorado Cable Telecommunications Association, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

Bre Andrews, AFL-CIO, spoke about the bill.

Tim Goodwin, Century Link, spoke about the bill and proposed amendments. He responded to questions from the committee.

Jordan Beezley, Department of Regulatory Agencies, made himself available to the committee for questions. He responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Sonnenberg responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Copeland responded to questions from the committee.

Brian Shepherd, Office of Information Technology, responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Sonnenberg responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Copeland responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Beezley responded to questions from the committee.

Committee discussion continued with the sponsors and Mr. Beezley and Ms. Copeland.

Lynn Notarianni, Public Utilities Commission, responded to questions from the committee.