E845A85882CF74A487258C360071233D Hearing Summary

The committee was
called to order. A quorum was present. Representatives Sirota and Ricks,
prime sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1090, concerning protections against
deceptive pricing practices. The bill sponsors explained the bill's merits
and impact.



The bill sponsors
responded to committee questions about the stakeholder process, and the
types of fees impacted by the bill.

Nina DiSalvo, representing Towards Justice, testified in support of the bill. Rosa Cleary, representing Denver Metro Tenants Union (DMTU), testified in support of the bill. Ms. Latoscaa Hults, representing Denver Metro Tenants Union, testified in support of the bill. Hunter Nelson, representing Small Business Majority, testified in support of the bill.



Discussion ensued regarding certain fees charged by landlords, and potential illegality of certain charges under current law.

Melanie Layton, representing
TechNet, testified to amend the bill. Alison Morgan, representing Colorado
Bankers Association, testified to amend the bill. Megan Axelrod, representing
Colorado Hospital Association, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Craig Johnson,
representing Colorado Rural Electric Association, testified to amend the
bill.



Discussion ensued
regarding fees charged by certain industries.

Tekelay Zewde, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Helen Tekle, representing themself,
testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jeff Rogoff, representing Sazaa Restaurant,
testified in support of the bill. Joshua Mantell, representing The Bell
Policy Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Rogoff responded to
questions regarding pricing transparency at his restaurant.



Committee members
asked questions regarding possible confusion associated with extra fees.

Meghan Dollar, representing
Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill. Michael
Smith, representing NFIB, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Drea
Modugno, representing Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified to amend
the bill. Carling Dinkler, representing Carvana, testified to amend the
bill. Ms. Samantha Santee, representing Colorado Housing Coalition, testified
to amend the bill.



The panel responded
to questions regarding burdens placed on business owners by HB 25-1090.

Ms. Haley Eicher,
representing Denver Metro Tenants Union, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Kiera Mallory, representing Denver Metro Tenants Union, testified in
support of the bill. Maggie Gomez, representing SiX Action, testified in
support of the bill. Mr. Chris Nelson, representing Colorado Center on
Law & Policy, testified in support of the bill. Grace Thorvilson, representing
Local Progress, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked questions regarding similar legislation in other states.

Aubrey Wilde, representing
Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Eida Altman, representing Denver Metro Tenants Union, testified in
support of the bill. Ms. Naomi Amaha, representing The Denver Foundation,
testified in support of the bill. Jeff Riester, representing Department
of Law, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked questions about the necessity of the bill and safe harbor laws. Discussion
ensued regarding existing laws that allow tenants to take issue with certain
living conditions, and what constitutes "ancillary fees" in the
context of the bill.



Written testimony
about the bill may be read in Attachment A.

Representative Ricks and Sirota provided closing remarks in support of HB 25-1090. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.