H_FIN_2023A 04/17/2023 03:44:19 PM Committee Summary

Representatives Bird and Pugliese, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1289. The bill creates two income tax credits related to aviation. One credit is for electric ground support equipment and the other is for investment in businesses that advance sustainable aviation fuel. Amendment L.001 (Attachment A) was distributed. The sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

The committee discussed the amendment in detail.

Mr. Kenneth Maenpa, representing the Telluride Regional Airport Authority, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Brad Elliot, representing the Colorado Aviation Business Association, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Amber Egbert, representing the Colorado Department of Revenue, was available to respond to committee questions.

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

Representatives Ricks and Taggart, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-209. The bill removes a reference to an erroneous date in the Colorado Loans for Increasing Main Street Business Economic Recovery (CLIMBER) Act.

Representatives Boesenecker and Taggart, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-175. The bill allows municipalities to adopt 20-year extension periods for property tax increment financing arrangements for downtown development authorities.

The sponsors responded to committee questions and distributed amendments L.007 (Attachment B) and L.008 (Attachment C).

Mrs. Gini Pingenot, representing Colorado Counties Inc., testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Dave Paul, representing himself, testified to amend the bill.

Commissioner Cody Davis, representing Mesa County, testified to amend the bill.

Commissioner Jody Shadduck-McNally, representing herself, testified to amend the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Brandon Stam, representing the Grand Junction Downtown Development Authority, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Kevin Tilson, representing himself, testified to amend the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Jaclyn Terwey, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.

Ted Zibell, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Matt Robinall, representing the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority, testified in support of the bill.

Mrs. Katherine Correll, representing the Economic Development Council of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kimberlee McKee, representing the Longmont Downtown Development Authority, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. William Shrum, representing Downtown Colorado, Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Mr. John Creighton, representing High Plains Bank and the Longmont Downtown Development Authority, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Kristin Stephens, representing Larimer County, testified in support of the bill.

Mark Ruzzin, representing Boulder County, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Joe Rowan, representing the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.

Mayor Joan Peck, representing the City of Longmont, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Mike Kerrigan, representing the Division of Property Taxation, Colorado Department of Treasury, was available to answer questions about the bill.

The panel of witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Discussion continued with the witnesses.

The bill sponsors made closing remarks and asked for a favorable recommendation.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee returned to order. Representatives Ricks and Young, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-196. The bill extends a state income tax credit for qualified costs incurred while retrofitting a residence for the purpose of improving accessibility, increasing visitability, or allowing qualified individuals to age in place. The credit is extended for five years, resulting in reductions in General Fund revenue that may be phased in over 13 years.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Ann Watts, representing the Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Housing, testified in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Ricks, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-165. This bill continues the Division of Racing Events and the Colorado Racing Commission in the Department of Revenue, which are scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2023.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee returned to order. Representative Epps, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-208. The bill, recommended by the Statutory Revision Committee, makes nonsubstantive corrections to cross references in the tax statutes. Specifically, the bill corrects cross references found in Sections 39-21-119, 39-22-104, and 39-26-102, C.R.S.

Speaker McCluskie and Representative Sirota, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1290. The bill refers a ballot measure to voters at the November 2023 statewide election to retain excess revenue collected from Proposition EE that otherwise would be refunded, and to maintain the tax rates that were approved in Proposition EE. If voters approve the ballot measure, the bill increases state revenue relative to current law expectations for reduced tax rates. The bill also clarifies current law if the measure is not approved by the voters.  Written public testimony is included as attachment D.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Krista Spurgin, representing Stand for Children Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Nicole Riehl, representing Colorado Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), testified in support of the bill.

Melissa Mares, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.

Mrs. Susan Hill, representing Save the Children Action Network, testified in support of the bill.

Amber Egbert, representing the Colorado Department of Revenue, was available to answer committee questions.

Speaker McCluskie, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-161. The bill transfers $26 million from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety for the purchase of a Firehawk helicopter configured for wildfire and other public safety response needs.

Mr. Jett Coffeen, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Director Mike Morgan, representing the Division of Fire Prevention and Control - Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

The committee continued to question Director Morgan.

Speaker McCluskie provided closing comments.

Representatives Boesenecker and Velasco, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1257. The bill creates multiple programs to address water quality in mobile home parks.

Mr. Bradley Simons, representing MMI Water Engineers, testified in opposition to the bill.

Tawny Peyton, representing the Rocky Mountain Home Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Robert Rosenfeld, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

John Victor, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Rebecca Curry, representing Earthjustice, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Vianei Diaz, representing Voces Unidas de las Montañas, testified in support of the bill.

Interpreter for Adela Gonzalez, Hannah Recht, representing 9to5 Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Katie First, representing Colorado Counties Inc., testified in a neutral position on the bill.

MaryAnn Nason, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, was available to answer committee questions.

Ron Falco, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, was available to answer committee questions.

The bill 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.