S_SA_2018A 02/07/2018 01:39:35 PM Committee Summary

The committee considered Senate Bill 18-110, which repeals the requirement that state agencies report federal funds to the state controller.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Grantham, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-043 to the committee. The bill clarifies the procedures following a Senate rejection of a Governor's nominee.

Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Grantham.

The committee considered Senate Bill 18-111, which removes an obsolete date from the state's legal holiday law.

The committee considered Senate Bill 18-121, which repeals and reenacts, with amendments, the section of state law concerning allowable moving and relocation expenses for state employees in order to align state law with federal law.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.



Senator Scott presented Senate Bill 18-005.  The bill requires the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to coordinate nonmonetary services and to provide grant funding to rural communities that experience a significant economic event.



Senator Donovan, sponsor, presented amendment L.001 and L.002 [Attachments A and B].  Committee members also received a fiscal assessment of amendent L.001 [Attachment C], explaining that the amendment removes the grant program and associated cash fund from the bill. Senator Donovan discussed the bill.

Senator Donovan responded to committee member questions clarifying the two amendments.

Amelia Myers, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She read a letter from a Paonia resident.

Andy Hill, representing DOLA, testified on the bill.

Bill Midcap, representing the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill.

Michelle Murphy, representing the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Morgan Cullen, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill. He also noted Colorado Counties, Inc.'s support of the bill.

Geoffrey Hier, representing the Colorado Rural Electric Association, testified in support of the bill.

Karen Kalavity, representing herself, testified on the bill.

Senator Donovan and Senator Scott wrapped up their presentation of the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Senator Merrifield, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-075 to the committee. The bill sets limits for contributions to school board director candidates from individuals and small donor committees.

Ben Schler, representing the Colorado Secretary of State, testified against the bill.

Emily Sirota, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Julie Banuelos, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Schler, Ms. Banuelos, and Ms. Sirota responded to committee member questions.

Amanda Gonzalez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.

Nicky Yallick, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Victoria Gates, representing Represent.Us Denver and Strengthening Democracy Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Gonzalez and Mr. Yallick responded to committee member questions.

Shannon Peterson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. JoAnn Fujioka, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Merrifield discussed amendment L.001 [Attachment D], which addresses filing deadlines.

Senator Merrifield wrapped up his presentation
of the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Kagan, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-057 to the committee. The bill modifies the definition of unfair housing practices, and extends protections to tenants who have certain arrest records or convictions.

Senator Kagan responded to committee member questions.

Deborah Wilson, representing the Colorado Apartment Association and the Apartment Association of Metro Denver, testified against the bill.

Jack Regenbogen, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill.

Gina Shimeall, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Wilson, Ms. Shimeall, and Mr. Regenbogen responded to committee member questions.

Peter Severson, representing Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Mark Evans, representing the Office of the State Public Defender and the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Evans answered questions from the committee.

Senator Kagan wrapped up his presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

Senator Crowder and Senator Coram, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-108 to the committee. The bill allows for the renewal of Senate Bill 13-251 documents and allows applicants to use their social security numbers in lieu of their individual taxpayer identification numbers when applying for the documents.  Senate Bill 13-251 allows the state to issue driver's licenses and identification cards to noncitizen residents of Colorado who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States.

Brent Spahn, representing the Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Revenue, responded to committee questions about the bill.

Ryan Long, Legislative Council Staff, responded to committee member questions about the bill's fiscal note. Mr. Spahn responded to additional questions.

Committee members discussed the bill.

Mr. Long responded to questions from Senator Coram.

Committee discussion with the bill sponsors ensued.

Brock Herzberg, representing Colorado Dairy Farmers, testified in support of the bill.

The bill was laid over for action only.

Senator Garcia, sponsor, presented Senate
Bill 18-113 to the committee.  The bill establishes the existing Circle
Program, an intensive 90-day treatment program for patients with co-occurring
mental health and substance use disorders, in statute within the Department
of Human Services (DHS).

Committee members received three handouts
from Senator Garcia [Attachments E, F, and G].

Fran Weitzel-Callan, representing the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, testified in support of the bill.

Glenn Graham, representing the Circle Program, testified in support of the bill.

Sandy Gutierrez, representing SyCare, testified in support of the bill.

Jeff Riley, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Garcia wrapped up his presentation of the bill.



Committee members commented on the bill.