576799F221A7C51F87258266005F6E8E Hearing Summary

Representative Liston, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1181. Under current law, a person may only vote in a special district election if he or she is a registered Colorado voter and is either a resident of the special district or the person or his or her spouse owns property within the district. The bill expands the definition of eligible elector to allow individuals who do not reside in Colorado to vote in a special district election if they own property within the district. The bill specifies the registration process for special districts to register non-resident electors and requires the voter to sign an affirmation confirming they are eligible to vote in the election. Voters who are eligible to vote in special district elections but are not residents of the state are only permitted to vote for board members, and may not vote for any other candidates, ballot issues, or ballot questions in the district. The bill also allows special district boards to select additional non-voting board members by a majority vote. These board members must not reside in the state, but be eligible to vote in the special district. A board with three members may appoint one non-voting member, and a board with five members may appoint no more than two non-voting members.

Representative Liston answered questions from the committee about the bill and amendment L.003 [Attachment A].

Bob Lackner, Office of Legislative Legal Services, answered questions from the committee. Representative Liston answered questions from the committee.

Jim Littlefield, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Jim Berg, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Littlefield answered questions from the committee. Representative Liston responded to questions from committee members.

Stephen Daniels, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout to the committee [Attachment B].

David Warner, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Kenneth Marchetti, Marchetti & Weaver, LLC, testified in support of the bill. He provided two handouts to the committee [Attachments C and D]. Committee members made comments. Mr. Marchetti and Representative Liston answered questions from the committee.

Evan Goulding, Special Districts Association of Colorado, testified in a neutral capacity on the bill. He stated his organization's support of the amendment L.003. Mr. Goulding answered questions from the committee.

Representative Liston made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made comments regarding the bill.