H_SA_2019A 02/07/2019 01:31:08 PM Committee Summary

Representative Kraft-Tharp and Representative Saine, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1136. Under current law, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) is required to conduct a performance and financial audit of various statutory public entities, local governments, and state agencies.  This bill clarifies that the OSA may receive the necessary books, accounts, reports, or other necessary documents from specified non-state entities being audited.  The bill also expands the misdemeanor for disclosing contents of a State Auditor's report prior to the release to any employee or individual acting in an oversight role with an audited entity.  Specifically, the provisions of the bill apply to audits of the Colorado New Energy Improvement District and Program, the use of money in the State Historical Fund, the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange, and Community-Centered Boards. The committee was provided a handout (Attachment A).

State Auditor Dianne Ray, OSA, testified on the bill. Auditor Ray answered questions from the committee. Representative Kraft-Tharp made additional comments about the bill. Auditor Ray continued answering questions from the committee.

Representative Kraft-Tharp and Representative Saine made concluding remarks about the bill.

Representative Sandridge, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1126. The bill creates a "green alert" program to notify the public when a veteran or military service member is missing and known to have a physical or mental health condition related to his or her military service, or whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the safety and health of the person.  The alert system is a coordinated effort between the Colorado Bureau of Investigations (CBI) in the Department of Public Safety, local law enforcement agencies, and the state's public and commercial television and radio broadcasters. Following a credible and verifiable report of a missing service member to law enforcement, the CBI confirms the accuracy of the report and issues a green alert to designated media outlets.  Representative Sandridge requested the committee postpone the bill indefinitely.

Dick Young, United Veterans Committee of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Representative Kennedy made comments regarding the bill.