s_lg_2017a_2017-04-26t13:56:05z4 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/26/2017

Location: HCR 0107

06:03 PM -- HB17-1312



Representative Exum, co-prime sponsor, explained HB17-1312 regarding residential lease copy and rent receipt. He reported that Representative Benavidez was presenting a bill in another committee and would join this hearing later. The bill requires a residential landlord to provide each tenant with a copy of a written rental agreement signed by the parties and to give a tenant a receipt for a payment made with cash or a money order. The landlord may provide the tenant with an electronic copy of the agreement or the receipt, unless the tenant requests a paper copy. He answered questions from the committee.



06:06 PM -- Dana Lowry, representing the Colorado Apartment Association, spoke in opposition to the bill. He explained that most landlords or property owners provide receipts, and they do not want to be penalized for a problem that does not exist. He answered questions from the committee regarding money orders, cash payments, and drop-boxes.



06:11 PM -- Shauna Olan, representing an apartment complex in Aurora, spoke in opposition to the bill. She explained rent policies at the apartment complex where she works. She emphasized that it is good practice to issue receipts, but does not support the mandatory language in the bill.

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06:18 PM



Representative Kennedy explained that not every landlord is upstanding.



Representative Liston expressed concerns that the bill is cumbersome for big apartment buildings.



06:30 PM -- Angelica Venegas, representing Growing Home, spoke in favor of the bill. She explained that rent receipts are often necessary for proof of residency.



06:34 PM -- Refugio Vanagas, representing Growing Home, spoke in support of the bill. He recounted several situations where he could not find a manager for a receipt. He explained that undocumented individuals need rent receipts for medical care and social security.



06:49 PM -- Jack Regenbogen, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Poverty, spoke in favor of the bill. He distributed a position paper (Attachment H). He reported that a large number of landlords provide receipts but some do not and a record of payment is necessary for many renters.



17HouseLocalGov0426AttachH.pdf



06:52 PM -- Ed Shackelford, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, spoke in support of the bill. He explained that many seniors need help keeping track of payments, and this bill would help caretakers as well.



06:53 PM -- Aubrey Hasvold, representing the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, spoke in favor of the measure. She reported that the number of individuals renting is on the rise, and a miscommunication about payment could easily end in an eviction.



06:56 PM -- Brian Igel, representing Denver Urban Matters, spoke in support of the bill. He explained that some receipts are not official and cannot be used to apply for services, such as food stamps. He recommended an official or standardized receipt for these purposes.





07:03 PM



Representative Navarro expressed concerns that this bill is not of statewide concern.



Representative McKean discussed concerns that the bill does not have an enforcement mechanism or include any standardization language.



Representative Liston stated that the bill could have unintended consequences if landlords decide not to accept checks or cash because of the receipt requirement.



07:11 PM -- April Jones, representing Colorado Affordable Legal Services, spoke in support of the measure. She explained her experiences as an attorney who represents tenants. She answered questions from the committee regarding evictions, the importance of having copies of lease and rent receipts, undocumented and low-income individuals, and seniors. She emphasized that the bill would primarily apply to small apartment owners as large complexes do not take cash.



07:14 PM -- Lynette Garcia, representing Growing Home, spoke in support of the bill. She stated that the bill is a simple concept, and tenants just want a receipt.



07:35 PM -- Andrea Chiriboga-Flor, representing 9to5 Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. She stressed that it is a common sense bill that could easily benefit many people.





07:38 PM



Representative Benavidez, co-prime sponsor, joined the committee and made closing remarks.





07:42 PM



Committee members expressed their reasons in support of or opposition to the bill.