H_SA_2017A 02/01/2017 Committee Summary

01:36 PM -- HB17-1066



Representative J. Becker, co-prime bill sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1066. Under current law, taxpayers may claim a state income tax credit for a portion of the value of a perpetual conservation easement that the taxpayer donates. If the executive director of the Department of Revenue (DOR) disputes the claim of the credit, current law sets forth procedures for resolving the claim administratively, or through an appeal process in the courts, at the taxpayers discretion.



Taxpayers who choose resolution through the courts are not required to post a surety bond, and no interest or penalties accrue while the matter is on appeal. Taxpayers choosing resolution through DOR's administrative process are required to post a surety bond and deposit while the matter is being considered. This bill removes the requirement for taxpayers using the DOR administrative process to post any surety or deposit, and no additional interest may accrue until the DOR makes a final determination.



Current law allows a conservation easement to be terminated in the same manner as any other easement. This bill also allows the courts to terminate a conservation easement if:



• the state rejects the claim;

• the easement has been appraised as having no or only nominal value; and

• the holder of the easement either provided no compensation or has been reimbursed in whole or in part for any compensation the holder did provide.



Representative J. Becker answered questions from the committee.























01:52 PM -- Alan Gentz, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A).



17HouseState0201AttachA.pdf



02:01 PM -- Debbie Van Wyke, Department of Revenue, testified on the bill. Ms. Van Wyke answered questions from the committee.



02:13 PM -- Julie Gentz, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:17 PM -- Eric Meyer, Department of Law, testified on the bill. Mr. Meyer answered questions from the committee.



02:36 PM -- Don Shawcroft, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Shawcroft answered questions from the committee.



02:39 PM -- Mark Ruzzin, Boulder County Commissioner's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Ruzzin answered questions from the committee.





02:44 PM



The committee recessed.





02:49 PM



The committee came back to order.



02:49 PM -- Elisabeth Erickson-Noe, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:52 PM -- Tim Erickson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



02:54 PM -- Kerry Froese, Women Involved In Farm Economics, testified in support of the bill.







































02:57 PM



Representative J. Becker explained L.002 (Attachment B). The committee discussed amendment L.002.



17HouseState0201AttachB.pdf

03:00 PM



Representative Lewis and Representative J. Becker made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made comments about the bill.

03:16 PM -- HB17-1063



Representative Leonard, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1063. The bill creates a $50,000 business personal property tax exemption starting in 2017. The exemption applies to all personal property taxpayers including state assessed utilities. Under current law, there is a $7,300 threshold so businesses with personal property totaling less than $7,300 in actual value do not report personal property value to counties. Beginning in 2019, the $50,000 exemption amount is adjusted for inflation every two years.



Representative Leonard answered question from the committee.



03:29 PM -- Jim Everson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Everson answered questions from the committee.



03:39 PM -- Gini Pingenot, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in opposition to the bill.



03:44 PM -- Dianne Criswell, Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:47 PM -- Richard Orf, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:48 PM -- Evan Goulding, Special District Association, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:55 PM -- Patrick Boyle, Colorado Competitive Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Boyle answered questions from the committee.



04:03 PM -- Ali Mickelson, Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in opposition to the bill.



























































04:06 PM



Representative Leonard explained amendment L.001 (Attachment C). The committee discussed amendment L.001.



17HouseState0201AttachC.pdf

04:08 PM



Representative Leonard made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made comments about the bill.

04:20 PM



The committee adjourned.