H_FIN_2023A 04/24/2023 02:45:03 PM Committee Summary

Representative Bird, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-056. The bill requires a payment to be made to the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) to recompense PERA for the cancellation of a previously scheduled July 1, 2020 direct distribution. She responded to questions from the committee.  Written testimony for this bill is included at Attachment A.

Amie Baca-Oehlert, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

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

Representative Bird and Minority Leader Lynch, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-066. The bill extends the Advanced Industry Acceleration Programs in the Office of Economic Development and International Trade by ten years and a transfer of funds for the program by two years.

The sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Rachel Beck, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in support of the bill.

Mr Xander Martin, representing the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Elyse Blazevich, representing the Colorado BioScience Association, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

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

Minority Leader Lynch and Speaker McCluskie, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-264. The bill specifies the number of permitted festivals in which a liquor licensee may jointly participate and modifies the permit fee and application timeline.

Ms. Kara Miller, representing the Colorado Distiller’s Guild, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Cassidee Shull, representing the Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology (CAVE), testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Dave Aschwanden, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

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

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee returned to order.  Representatives Lindstedt and Weinberg, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-199.  The bill clarifies how state and local licensing authorities refund fees if a marijuana application is denied, and allows the Department of Revenue to renew state licenses that have not received local jurisdiction approval before state license expiration.  They distributed a fact sheet (Attachment B) and amendment L.003 (Attachment C).

Mr. Chris Poirier, representing Colorado Department of Revenue - Marijuana Enforcement Division, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Allison Robinette, representing the Department of Revenue Marijuana Enforcement Division, was available to answer committee questions.

Representatives Soper and Weissman, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1293. Starting on October 1, 2023, the bill increases and decreases certain felony offense classifications; removes certain offenses, modifies offenses, and adds new crimes; and removes mandatory sentences for certain felony offenses.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee returned to order.  Representatives Epps and Taggart, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1297. The bill repeals the allowance for a corporation to issue a scrip-in-bearer form upon the holder surrendering enough scrip to equal a full share. This change conforms state statute with current federal law, which has prohibited the practice since 2021.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. Representatives Epps and Taggart, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1297. The bill repeals the allowance for a corporation to issue a scrip in bearer form upon the holder surrendering enough scrip to equal a full share. This change conforms state statute with current federal law, which has prohibited the practice since 2021. The sponsors distributed amendment L.009 (Attachment D).

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee and explained the purpose of amendment L009.

Discussion with the sponsors continued.

Mr. JuanRoberto Madrid, representing GreenLatinos, testified in opposition to the bill.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee returned to order.

Mr. Riley Smith, representing NextEra Energy Resources, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Patricia Garcia-Nelson, representing GreenLatinos, testified in opposition to the bill.

Justin Brant, representing the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Parks Barroso, representing Western Resource Advocates, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Keith Hay, representing the Colorado Energy Office, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

The committee continued to discuss the bill with witnesses.  The bill was laid over for action at a later date.

Representatives Garcia and Lindsay, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-167. The bill requires the Board of Nursing in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to regulate certified midwives.

The bill sponsors wrapped up their presentation of the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. Representatives McCormick and Sirota, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-016. The bill creates a state income tax credit for new, electric-powered lawn equipment; requires the Public Employees’ Retirement Association and insurance companies to study climate risks to their investment portfolios; authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to regulate Class VI injection wells; updates the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals; and commissions a study on electric transmission capacity. Written public testimony is included as Attachment E.  The bill sponsors distributed amendments L.050 (Attachment F), L.052 (Attachment G), L.056 (Attachment H), and L.057 (Attachment I).

Mrs. Elspeth Cordua, representing Advanced Energy United, testified in support of the bill.

The bills sponsors explained the four amendments.

The bill sponsors made closing comments.