h_lg_2016a_2016-04-06t13:33:13z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/06/2016

03:02 PM -- HB16-1303



Representative Landgraf presented and summarized House Bill 16-1303 concerning vacant land sales tax. This bill prevents a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) from levying sales taxes on a business located on previously vacant property that was annexed by a non-member jurisdiction of the RTA.



Representative Landgraf also distributed an informational handout (Attachment A).



16HouseLocal0406AttachA.pdf



The committee members discussed the provisions of the bill.





03:12 PM



The committee members continued to discuss the provisions of the bill concerning taxes collected on vacant property.



03:18 PM -- Pat McDevitt, Attorney for the City of Fountain, spoke for information purposes. He provided some clarification regarding the litigation concerning the authority of the RTA to tax vacant property.



Mr. McDevitt answered questions from the committee regarding the litigation process.



03:23 PM -- Marcy Morrison, representing herself, spoke in opposition to the bill. She discussed her experience in local government and the importance of intergovernmental agreements.



Ms. Morrison answered questions from the committee regarding autonomy of local authority.





03:33 PM



Ms. Morrison continued to answer questions regarding the RTA process.



03:35 PM -- Jeff Greene, City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, spoke in opposition to the bill and responded to prior testimony regarding the Pike Peak RTA. He also discussed an annexation made by the City of Colorado Springs and problems associated with it.



Mr. Greene answered questions from the committee regarding taxing regions.



A magazine on the Pikes Peak RTA (Attachment B), a handout on the timeline for the annexed property (Attachment C), and a map of the annexed property (Attachment D) were distributed to the committee members.



Attachment B can be viewed at Legislative Council 16HouseLocal0406AttachC.pdf





Attachment D can be viewed at Legislative Council.





03:49 PM -- Wayne Williams spoke in opposition to the bill. Mr. Williams is representing himself and not as the Secretary or a representative of the Office of the Secretary of State. He explained that he was part of the officials to implement the Pikes Peak RTA. He discussed his concerns with the bill regarding road projects on land that could potentially be annexed.



Mr. Williams answered questions from the committee regarding road construction projects.



Representative Klingenschmitt distributed a handout on the Pikes Peak RTA (Attachment E).



16HouseLocal0406AttachE.pdf



03:59 PM



Mr. Williams continued to answer questions from the committee regarding taxing regions and services provided.





04:09 PM



Mr Williams continued to answer questions from the committee.



04:22 PM -- Tyler Stevens, Mayor pro tem for Green Mountain Falls, spoke in opposition to the bill. He said that Green Mountain Falls is part of the Pikes Peak RTA.



Mr. Stevens answered questions regarding concerns with governmental agreements.



04:28 PM -- Andy Mereitt, Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance, spoke in opposition to the bill. He discussed the importance of infrastructure to business development.



04:39 PM -- Ed Icenugle, Legal Council for Pikes Peak RTA, spoke in opposition to the bill. He discussed the current litigation regarding the continuation of the Pike Peak RTA tax.



Mr. Icenugle answered questions from the committee regarding the cause for the litigation.



The committee members discussed the levels of taxation in different taxing regions.



04:58 PM -- Scott Trainor, City of Fountain, spoke in favor of the bill. He distributed a informational document on the construction of the annexed land (Attachment F) and a copy of receipt with the regional tax (Attachment G). Mr. Trainor discussed the understanding association with taxing in the annexed land.



16HouseLocal0406AttachF.pdf 16HouseLocal0406AttachG.pdf



05:08 PM



Mr. Trainor answered questions from the committee regarding the Pikes Peak RTA.



05:19 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, National Federation of Independent Business, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed his concerns regarding tax issues in the annexed area and the impact to businesses.



Representative Klingenschmitt presented and summarized amendment L.002 (Attachment H).



16HouseLocal0406AttachH.pdf





Kate Meyer, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided clarification amendment L.002.

Rep. Landgraf distributed and discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment I).



16HouseLocal0406AttachI.pdf

Representative Landgraf provided closing comments on the bill.



The committee members provided closing comments on the bill.

05:44 PM



The committee adjourned.