A1D2E8008F639006872583990071B1B7 Hearing Summary

Representative Lewis introduced House Bill 19-1048 concerning the election of library district trustees. The bill will allow for election of library district trustees, instead of appointment of trustees.  Amendment L.001 was distributed (Attachment C).

Chris Richardson, Commissioner representing Elbert County, testified in support of the bill. Commissioner Richardson responded to questions from the committee. There was discussion about the number of board members for a library district, as well as the current statutory process for filling vacancies. Costs of elections and interest in running for election were included.

The committee continued to ask questions of Commissioner Richardson.

Kim Seter, representing the Colorado Library Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Attachment D was provided to the committee.

Bob Pasicznyuk, representing Douglas County Libraries, testified in opposition to the bill.

Rick Brown, representing Pines and Plains Library, testified in opposition to the bill.

Michelle Ray, representing the Pikes Peak Library District, testified in opposition to the bill.

Witnesses responded to questions from the committee about funding an election, as well as the amendment not requiring an election. Voters may still decide that they want an election. The committee also discussed library budgets.

Tammy Sayles, representing the Colorado Association of Libraries, testified in opposition to the bill.

James LaRue, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He passed out a written version of his testimony (Attachment E).

Kathleen Owings, representing the Pikes Peak Library District, testified in opposition to the bill.

The witnesses were thanked for their testimony.

Representative Lewis talked about amendment L.001 (Attachment C).

Representative Lewis made closing remarks.

There were comments from the committee about the bill.