H_TLG_2019A 01/23/2019 01:32:15 PM Committee Summary

Representative Rich and Representative Roberts introduced HB19-1035 concerning an increase in the flexibility to set fees for electrical inspections that are not conducted by the state.  The bill does away with a cap on the cost of electrical inspections performed by local governments and higher education institutions.  Current law prohibits local governments and higher education institutions from charging more than 15 percent of the state fee for electrical inspections.  During a sunset review of the State Electrical Board, removal of the cap on fees was recommended. Proposed amendment L.002 and a letter of support from Mesa County were distributed (Attachments A and B).

The bill sponsors took questions from the committee about the variance in costs for the inspection, as well as fees for other areas such as plumbing.  Fees related to plumbing are in a different statute. 

Eric Bergman, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Bergman also provided a letter of support from the Colorado Municipal League (Attachment C). 

Brandy DeLange, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.

Phillip Hayes, representing the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association, testified that he is neutral about the bill with amendment.

Virginia Morrison Love, representing the Colorado Association of Homebuilders, testified in support of the bill with amendment. 

Eric Fried, Chief Building Official, representing Larimer County, testified in support of the bill.

Richard Orf, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in support of the bill. 

Scott Hoffman, representing Summit County Building Inspection, testified in support of the bill.

Marilyn Stansbury, representing the Independent Electrical Contractors of Rocky Mountain, testified in opposition of the bill, even with amendment.

The committee recessed briefly.

The committee came back to order.

Representative Bockenfeld introduced HB19-1018 concerning the elimination of a local government's authority to opt out of the Unclaimed Property Act.  The bill requires a local government to comply with the act as any other holder of abandoned intangible property, effective September 1, 2019.  Local governments that hold intangible property are required to pay or deliver the property to the administrator before January 1, 2020.  A county's discretionary power to dispose of abandoned personal property acquired by an elected official or county employee only applies to tangible personal property and does not apply to intangible property which is subject to the act.  He distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment D).

Representative Bockenfeld answered questions from the committee about current reporting requirements for money.  There were also questions about any reported problems with the current law.  Citizens have not brought problems forward, although citizens may not be aware of this.

Kevin Bommer, Deputy Director, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition of the bill. 

Eric Bergman, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in opposition of the bill.  He indicated he would support the bill if amendment L.001 is adopted.

Kevin Bommer responded to questions from the committee.  He indicated that the Colorado Municipal League is opposed to the bill, even with amendment L001.  He indicated that the Colorado Muncipal League may support a different version of the bill. 

Representative Gray brought up the issue that L.001 may not fit under the title of the bill. 

Ed DeCecco, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, talked with the committee briefly about the title and amendment L.001. 

Representative Carver moved amendment L.001, but the chair ruled that it did not fit under the title of the bill. 

Representative Bockenfeld made closing remarks.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.  Representative Gray announced that the bill would be laid over for action only.