h_bus_2017a_2017-03-02t13:32:10z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/02/2017

Location: LSB A

01:32 PM -- HB 17-1174



Representative Wilson introduced House Bill 17-1174. Current law requires a county seeking to establish a local improvement district (LID) for the purpose of financing a telecommunications service improvement to enter into an agreement with a telecommunications service provider to provide services, facilities, plants, or systems in the area in which the telecommunications service improvement will be constructed. Additionally, the new telecommunications service must be wholly owned, operated, and maintained by the telecommunications service provider, rather than the county.



This bill exempts telecommunications service improvements in counties with a total population of under 50,000 residents from these requirements and limitations. A county with fewer than 50,000 residents that establishes a LID for this purpose and chooses to directly or indirectly provide telecommunications services is required to comply with Colorado law governing competition in utility services.



Representative Wilson provided the committee with amendment L.002 (Attachment A).



170302 AttachA.pdf



Representative Wilson responded to questions from the committee.



01:37 PM -- Mike Brazell, Park County Commissioner, testified in support of the bill.



01:44 PM -- Eric Bergman, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bergman provided a handout to the committee (Attachment B). Mr. Bergman responded to questions from the committee.



170302 AttachB.pdf



01:48 PM



The committee took a brief recess.



01:54 PM



The committee reconvened. The chair ruled that the proposed amendment L.002 does not fit under the bill's title.



01:54 PM



Commissioner Brazell and Mr. Bergman responded to questions from the committee.



02:01 PM -- Mike Nelson, Comcast and NBC Universal, testified in support of the bill.



02:03 PM



The chair laid the bill over for action at a later date.