9496D026AE0AA4F68725827100701C91 Hearing Summary

Representatives Becker K and Pabon, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-200, which makes modifications to the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA).

The bill sponsors discussed the amendments to the bill that they plan to offer. Committee members received a fiscal assessment of the proposed amendments, prepared by Legislative Council Staff [Attachment F]. Committee members also received the following amendments: L.028 [Attachment G], L.029 [Attachment H], L.031 [ Attachment I], L.033 [Attachment J], L.035 [Attachment K], L.041 [Attachment L], L.043 [Attachment M], L.044 [Attachment N], L.045 [Attachment O], L.048 [Attachment P], and L.042 [Attachment Q].

The bill sponsors responded to committee questions.

Mr. Ron Baker, the interim director of PERA, testified from a neutral position on the bill and responded to committee questions.

Mr. Henry Sobanet, representing the Governor's Office, testified about the bill and responded to committee questions.

Dr. Lisa Escarcega, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Brett Johnson, representing Aurora Public Schools, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Mark Ferrandino, representing Denver Public Schools, testified in support of the bill.

Speaker Ferrandino responded to a committee question.

Ms. Kerrie Dallman, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified about the bill.

Ms. Shelly Wells, representing the Poudre Education Association, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Dallman responded to committee questions.

Ms. Andrea Meyers, representing the American Federation of Teachers, testified about the bill.

Ms. Jane Wilson, representing Secure PERA and Colorado WINS, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Eric Olsen, representing Colorado WINS, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kallie Leyba, representing herself as a teacher, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Hilary Glasgow, representing Colorado WINS, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Pat Kriebel, representing Colorado WINS, testified on the bill.

Mr. Mark Qualy, representing Colorado WINS, testified on the bill.

Ms. Kelly Brough, representing the Denver Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Tim Dawson, representing the Pew Charitable Trust, testified on the bill.

Mr. Anthony Rendazzo, representing the Reason Foundation, testified on the bill and distributed a handout to the committee [Attachment R].

Ms. Brough and Mr. Randazzo responded to committee questions.

Mr. Chris Brown, representing the Common Sense Policy Round Table, testified from a neutral position on the bill. Committee members received an analysis of the bill [Attachment S].

Mr. Preston Branaugh, representing the Jeffco Business Lobby, testified in support of the bill. Committee members received a written copy of Mr. Branaugh's testimony [Attachment T].

Mr. Jim Lipscomb, representing himself as a PERA retiree, testified about the bill. Committee members received a copy of Mr. Lipscomb's testimony [Attachment U].

Mr. Larry Robbins, representing Colorado retirees, testified about the bill.

Mr. Charles Linart, representing PERA retirees, testified about the bill.

Ms. Jayne Vahle, representing herself as a teacher, testified about the bill.

Ms. Margaret Bobb, representing herself as a teacher, testified about the bill.

Mr. Gordon Carruth, representing AARP, testified against the bill and in favor of the proposed amendments.  Mr. Carruth distributed information about states that have eliminated pension plans [Attachment V].

Mr. Kevin Bommer, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in favor of the bill.

Ms. Heather Curnett, representing herself as a teacher, testified about the bill.

Ms. Robin Handy, representing retirees, testified about the bill.

Ms. Curnett responded to committee questions.

Mr. Gordon East, representing himself as a retiree of the Colorado Division of Wildlife, testified about the bill.

Mr. Dan Knopf, representing himself, testified about the bill.

Mr. Joshua Sharf, representing the Independence Institute, testified from a neutral position on the bill and responded to committee questions.

Committee members received a summary of the proposed amendments, including an initial fiscal assessment of the amendments, prepared by Legislative Council Staff [Attachment X]. The committee members discussed amendments L.029 and L.044 [Attachments H and N].