h_sa_2016a_2016-04-04t14:14:26z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/04/2016

02:14 PM -- HB16-1300



Representative Ryden, sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1300 to the committee. This bill gives counties exclusive authority to determine the location and security of a voter ballot drop-off location. The Secretary of State's Office (SOS) may provide specifications on the installation of drop boxes and accessibility of drop-off locations for persons with disabilities. Counties are encouraged to utilize state-owned property and to enter into public-private partnerships for the placement of drop-off locations on commercial property that is conveniently located. Under current law, if a voter returns his or her mail ballot by mail he or she must pay for postage. This bill removes that requirement and requires counties to work with the U.S. Postal Service to provide efficient delivery of mail ballots, including ballots with insufficient postage. Counties must file a plan with the SOS for how the county will work with the post office to ensure the delivery of ballots. This bill also requires the SOS to use federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds to purchase one twenty-four hour secure drop box for each county in the state, unless a county submits a waiver requesting not to receive the new equipment.



Representative Ryden also discussed amendments L.005 and L.008 (Attachments A and B).



16HouseState0404AttachA.pdf 16HouseState0404AttachB.pdf



02:19 PM -- Lizzy Stephan, representing New Era Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



02:21 PM -- Margit Johansson, representing Coloradans for Voting Integrity, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.



02:28 PM -- Bridget Kaminetsky, representing 9 to 5 Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



02:31 PM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.



02:36 PM -- Amber McReynolds, representing the city and county of Denver, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee member questions.



02:46 PM -- Mary Eberle, representing herself, testified against the bill.



02:51 PM -- Jennifer Levin, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



02:54 PM -- Justine Sandoval, representing NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



02:56 PM -- Ken Debey, representing the Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans, testified in support of the bill.



02:59 PM -- Elizabeth Steele, representing the League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



03:01 PM -- Carl Smith, representing the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART Union), testified in support of the bill.



03:05 PM -- Elena Nunez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.





03:08 PM



Representative Ryden explained amendment L.005.

03:09 PM



Representative Ryden explained amendment L.008.

03:10 PM



Representative Wist distributed amendment L.006 (Attachment C) and discussed the amendment. Committee members discussed the amendment.



16HouseState0404AttachC.pdf

03:15 PM



Representative Wist distributed amendment L.007 (Attachment D) and discussed the amendment.



16HouseState0404AttachD.pdf

The committee recessed.





03:19 PM



The committee reconvened. The chair ruled that amendment L.007 did not fit under the bill's title.





03:19 PM



Representative Ryden wrapped up her presentation of the bill.