CD0B6364D8D628728725839400712623 Hearing Summary

Representatives Kennedy and Tipper introduced House Bill 19-1033. The bill authorizes counties to enact ordinances or resolutions prohibiting a minor from purchasing nicotine products or that impose requirements around providing those products to minors that are more stringent than the state. The bill also removes the restriction preventing local governments from imposing or attempting to impose fees, licenses, or taxes on cigarette sales without losing their portion state cigarette tax revenue. The bill also permits counties to levy, collect, and enforce a county special sales tax on nicotine products if approved by voters, and with specific restrictions.

Sophie Mickus, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed vaping of tobacco by teenagers.

Ms. Mickus responded to questions from the committee.

Lennie Jarratt, the Heartland Institute, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a copy of his testimony (Attachment A). He responded to questions from the committee.

Bret Goodman, Jerri's Tobacco Shop, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jimmy Hargrove, Tobacco Leaf, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ron Harvey, Smoking Cave, testified in opposition to the bill.

Bryan Reid, Edwards Tobacco Shop, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Kristina Quammen, Absolute Vapor, testified in opposition to the bill.

Joshua Sprague, Absolute Vapor Lounge, testified in opposition to the bill.

Francesca Gettler, Vapor Source, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Jourdan Wheeler, J Vapes, testified in opposition to the bill.

Monica Vondruska, Rocky Mountain Smoke Free Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill.

Grier Bailey, Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a packet of information to the committee (a copy was not available for staff).

Ken Kramer, Smoker Friendly, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Chris Howes, Colorado Retail Council, testified in opposition to the bill.

Veronica Fenner, Stag Tobacconist, testified in opposition to the bill.

Alexander Harding, Sparrow Limited, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Jodi Jalving, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, testified in support of the bill.

Greg Poschman, Pitkin County Board of Commissioners, testified in support of the bill and distributed a copy of his testimony (Attachment B).

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Evie Hudak, Colorado PTA, testified in support of the bill.

Mandy Ivanov, Colorado PTA, testified in support of the bill.

Lilly Reynolds, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Gerardo Lopez, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Erica Sparhawk, Town of Carbondale, testified in support of the bill.

Scott Prince, Town of Avon, testified in support of the bill and distributed a letter of support to the committee (Attachment C).

The panel responded to questions from the committee and two additional letters of support for the bill were distributed to the committee (Attachments D and E).

Rick Ritter, Otero County Health Department, testified in support of the bill. A letter of support for the bill was distributed to the committee (Attachment F)

Brent Miller, Pitkin County, testified in support of the bill.

Kate Johnston, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Alison Reidmore, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill. She distributed a handout to the bill (Attachment G).

Amber Egbert, Department of Revenue, responded to questions from the committee regarding amendment L.001 (Attachment H).

Angelo Griego, Chief of Police for the City of Rocky Ford, testified in support of the bill.

Julie Mullica, City of Northglenn, testified in support of the bill.

The panel responded to questions from the committee.

Stephanie Walton, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

R.J. Ours, American Cancer Society, testified in support of the bill.

Robert South, Bud's House of Vapor, testified regarding his concerns with the bill.  Amendment L.002 was distributed to the committee (Attachment I).

Representatives Tipper and Kennedy gave concluding remarks regarding the bill..

Members of the committee commented on the bill.