h_bus_2016a_2016-03-24t13:43:47z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/24/2016

01:44 PM -- HB 16-1048



Representative Primavera introduced House Bill 16-1048. The bill as introduced, recommended by the Interim Committee to Study Vocational Rehabilitative Services for the Blind, removes the exemption for property owned, leased or occupied by higher education institutions or the state fair authority for priority to persons who are blind and licensed vendors to operate vending facilities through the Business Enterprise Program (BEP). The bill also expands the scope of the program so that persons who are blind may also operate businesses other than vending facilities on state property. Lastly, the bill also makes conforming amendments to comply with federal law.



Representative Primavera provided the committee with copies of a Legislative Council Staff memo (Attachment A), amendment L.001 (Attachment B), amendment L.002 (Attachment C), and amendment L.003 (Attachment D).



160324 AttachA.pdf160324 AttachB.pdf160324 AttachC.pdf160324 AttachD.pdf



Representative Primavera responded to questions from the committee.



01:53 PM -- Scott LaBarre, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. LaBarre responded to questions from the committee.



02:03 PM -- Dan Whalen, Colorado Business Enterprise Program, testified in support of the bill.



02:05 PM -- Gary Nelson, representing himself, spoke about his experience as an operator in the Business Enterprise Program and testified in support of the bill.



02:08 PM -- Dan Burke, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Burke responded to questions from the committee.



02:12 PM -- Rich Schweigert, Colorado State University, responded to questions from the committee.



02:15 PM -- Pat Teegarden, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, responded to questions from the committee.

02:19 PM



Representative Primavera made closing remarks on the bill.