H_FIN_2022A 04/11/2022 01:35:24 PM Committee Summary

Representatives Lontine and Soper, co-sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1233. The bill continues the regulation of optometrists in the Department of Regulatory Agencies, which is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2022. Representative Soper announced that the bill would be laid over for action at the end of witness testimony in order to do more stakeholder work.

Bryan Jameson, representing the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Colorado Office of Policy, Research, and Regulatory Reform, was available to answer committee questions. He explained the sunset process.

Mr. Jameson continued to explain the sunset review to the committee.

Dr. Starck Johnson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Leo Seibold, representing the Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dr. David Johnson, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Deidre St. Peter, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The panel of witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Monica Ertel, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Julia Xia, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Casey Smith, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Michael Puente, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mrs. Charlotte Allison, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Heather Gitchell, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Deanna Alexander, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Jon Pederson, representing the Colorado Optometric Association, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Sean Claflin, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Mrs. Sharie Fant, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.  Witness testimony concluded and the bill w

Representative Lontine, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 22-1246. Under current law, a prescription drug outlet is permitted to register as a Specialized Prescription Drug Outlet (SPDO) if it compounds, dispenses, and delivers drugs and devices or provides pharmacist care services to residents of a long-term care facility. The bill allows a pharmacy located in a hospice inpatient unit to register as an SPDO if it provides these same services to residents of the hospice inpatient unit. The State Board of Pharmacy may adopt rules to implement the requirements under the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Alan Morse, representing the Home Care & Hospice Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Bird and Van Winkle, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-036. On July 1, 2022, and July 1 in the subsequent four years, the bill requires the State Treasurer to pay $6.65 million from the General Fund to the Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) for deposit into the FPPA's Statewide Death and Disability Trust Fund. The sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Mr Kevin Lindahl, representing the FPPA, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to committee questions.

Committee discussion with the witnesses continued.

The sponsors wrapped up their presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.