S_FIN_2017A 03/16/2017 Committee Summary

10:13 AM -- SB17-192



The committee was called to order. Senator Neville wrapped up his presentation of Senate Bill 17-192, which was laid over for further action on March 14, 2017. Senator Neville discussed amendments L.016 and L.017 (Attachments A and B, respectively). The committee previously passed amendments L.012, L.013, L.014, and L.015 on March 14, 2017.



17SenateFin0316AttachA.pdf 17SenateFin0316AttachB.pdf

10:18 AM -- HB17-1027



Senators Gardner and Garcia, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1027, which removes the July 1, 2018, repeal date for the Emily Maureen Ellen Keyes Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund, continuing it indefinitely, and renames the fund the Emily Keyes - John W. Buckner Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Fund. The bill clarifies that an applicant's self-designation as an organ and tissue donor on a driver license, identification card, or instruction permit remains in effect until revoked by the applicant, codifying that organ donation is an advance directive and a lifetime designation. Under the bill, computer reprogramming costs for the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may be paid from the fund. Finally, the bill requires the Donor Alliance, Inc., to submit an annual report to the Department of Revenue (DOR) detailing the amounts and specific uses of all funds it receives by October 1 of each year, which the DOR must include as part of its SMART Government Act hearing. Senator Garcia presented the committee with a letter of support from John-Michael Keyes (Attachment C).



17SenateFin0316AttachC.pdf



10:28 AM -- Brad Kornfeld, representing the Donor Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Kornfeld responded to committee questions.



10:36 AM -- Susan Dunn, representing the Donor Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Dunn responded to committee questions.



10:46 AM -- Kacey Johnson, representing the Donor Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Johnson and Ms. Dunn responded to committee questions.



10:50 AM -- Mike Dixon, representing the Division of Motor Vehicles within DOR, testified in support of the bill.





10:52 AM



Senators Garcia and Gardner wrapped up their presentation of HB 17-1027 and responded to committee questions. The bill was laid over for action only at the next committee meeting.



10:58 AM -- SB17-185



Senator Gardner, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-185, which creates minimum salary amounts for any assistant district attorney, chief deputy district attorney, and deputy district attorney based upon the salary ranges of certain employees in the Office of the State Public Defender. The bill requires the state to pay an increasing share of these salaries over a four-year period. Senator Gardner also discussed amendment L.003 (Attachment D). Kerry White, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to discuss the fiscal impact of a similar amendment and distributed a memorandum to the committee (Attachment E).



17SenateFin0316AttachD.pdf 17SenateFin0316AttachE.pdf



11:07 AM -- Tom Raynes, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Raynes distributed a fact sheet to the committee (Attachment F) and responded to committee questions.



17SenateFin0316AttachF.pdf



11:15 AM -- Molly Chilson, District Attorney for the 11th Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.



11:25 AM -- Jeff Chostner, District Attorney for the 10th Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.





11:31 AM



Mr. Chostner, Senator Gardner, Mr. Raynes, and Ms. Chilson responded to questions from the committee.





11:46 AM



The witnesses and bill sponsor continued to address questions from the committee.



11:50 AM -- Doug Wilson, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, testified from a neutral position on the bill.





11:59 AM



Senator Gardner made closing remarks on the bill.

12:02 PM



The meeting adjourned.