H_FIN_2022A 02/28/2022 01:30:46 PM Committee Summary

Representative Bird and Minority Leader McKean, co-sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1051. This bill continues the Colorado affordable housing tax credit that is scheduled to expire in 2024 for an additional ten years and increases the amount of the credit that the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) may allocate each year starting in 2023. They distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

The sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Adam Burg, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce & Prosper Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Rachel Beck, representing the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Seth Harvey, representing BlueStaq, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Michael Neil, representing Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Gray and Herod, cosponsors, presented House Bill 22-1138. The bill creates an income tax credit for employers that provide alternative transportation options to their employees; requires large employers to provide alternative transportation options to their employees; and requires the Transportation Commission to allocate funds to transportation management associations.

The sponsors distributed amendments L.003 (Attachment B), L.004 (Attachment C), L.005 (Attachment D), and L.006 (Attachment E). They responded to questions from the committee.

The committee continued to discuss the bill with the sponsors.

Mr. Michael Hughes, representing the West Corridor Transportation Management Association, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Alexandra Schluntz, representing Earthjustice, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. John Nicholas, representing Bonfire Collective, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Amy Hoeven, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Matt Frommer, representing Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Rachel Beck, representing the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Adrienne Tuck, representing the W.E. O'Neil Construction, testified in opposition to the bill.

Katie Wolf, representing the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Rich Mauro, representing the Denver Regional Council of Governments, testified to amend the bill.

Meghan MacKillop, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition to the bill, but praised the potential amendments.

Matthew Groves, representing the Colorado Auto Dealers Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Mr Michael Gifford, representing Associated General Contractors of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Sandra Hagen Solin, representing the Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance and Weld County, testified in opposition to the bill.

Councilman Deven Shaff, representing Counties and Commissioners Acting Together, testified in support of the bill.

Jenny Gaeng, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The committee took a brief recess.

Mr. Jack Tiebaut, representing the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, joined the committee to respond to questions only.

Mr. Ned Harvey, representing the Colorado Cleantech Industries Association, testified in support of the bill.

Adam Burg, representing Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce & Colorado Competitive Council (C3), testified in support of the bill.

Mrs. Elyse Blazevich, representing the Colorado BioScience Association, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

The committee continued to discuss the bill with the witness panel.

Members of the committee commented about their positions on the bill.

Representatives Bacon and Bird, cosponsors, presented House Bill 22-1098. The bill requires that DORA audit the occupations they regulate to determine barriers to entry for individuals with a criminal history, and specifies procedures for denying a professional license, certification, or registration. They responded to questions from the committee.

The committee continued to discuss the bill with the sponsors.

Discussion continued.

Dr. Matthew Mitchell, representing the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Mr. John Seward, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Adam Burg, representing Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

The sponsors wrapped up their presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation. Members of the committee commented about their positions on the bill.

Representative Rich, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 22-1126. For tax years 2022 through 2026, the bill creates a state income tax credit of up to $500 for eligible educators that teach kindergarten through twelfth grade and classroom paraprofessionals that incur certain out-of-pocket classroom expenses. The credit amount is equal to the educator's qualifying classroom expenses in excess of the $250 deduction allowed on their federal income tax return, but not exceeding $750. The tax credit is refundable, meaning if the amount exceeds the taxpayer's state income tax liability, the balance is refunded to the taxpayer. Eligible educators filing a joint income tax return may each claim the full credit. She responded to questions from the committee.

The committee continued to discuss the bill with the sponsor. Ed DeCecco, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to respond to committee questions.

Representative Rich wrapped up her presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.

Members of the committee commented about their positions on the bill.