FIRST Conference Committee on HB08-1401 (05/06/2008)

STAFF SUMMARY OF FIRST MEETING OF

FIRST CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON HB08-1401

Date:	05/06/2008	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:33 PM to 05:38 PM	Weissmann	X
		Bacon	X
Place:	HCR 0109	Looper	X
		Johnson	*
This Meeting was called to order by		Gordon	X
Representative Marshall		Marshall	X
This Report was prepared by
Bo Pogue

01:33 PM -- Conference Committee on House Bill 08-1401

The conference committee was called to order. A quorum was present.

01:34 PM

Mr. John Hershey, Office of Legislative Legal Services, explained the differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 08-1401, and also explained the bill's provisions if amended by the draft conference committee report (CLHB1401.001 -- Attachment A). Senator Gordon proposed language for a conference committee report that includes elements of both the House and Senate versions of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the fiscal impact of the bill as amended, and whether the counties or the state should cover the costs associated with the bill.

01:39 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 08-1401:

01:39 PM -- Mr. Richard Coolidge, representing the Secretary of State, testified to the conference committee regarding the bill. Mr. Coolidge discussed the fiscal impact of the bill, and how the Department of State will cover the costs associated with the bill. Mr. Coolidge responded to questions regarding the need for an appropriation to cover the costs associated with House Bill 08-1401, and the rate at which the Secretary of State reimburses counties for required mailings. Discussion ensued regarding what accounts for the bill's fiscal impact. Representative Marshall recapped the purpose of the bill, and discussed how costs associated with mailing voter information cards to voters would be covered in the absence of the bill. The committee discussed options for amending the bill to capture voters who were deemed inactive as a result of not voting in the 2006 election. Discussion followed regarding the need to request permission to go beyond the scope of the differences to pass this language.

01:48 PM -- Mr. Andy Karsian, representing Colorado Counties, Incorporated, testified regarding the bill. Mr. Karsian discussed the the bill's statewide scope, and the fact that the problem of voters being deemed inactive as a result of long lines at polling places in 2006 only applied to certain counties. Mr. Karsian explained how the statewide scope of the bill drives the fiscal impact of the bill. Mr. Karsian responded to questions regarding the costs to the counties associated with mailings that would occur in the absence of House Bill 08-1401, and the number of voters deemed inactive in counties not affected by long lines at polling places in 2006.

01:52 PM -- Ms. Peg Ackerman, representing the Colorado County Clerks, testified regarding House Bill 08-1401. Ms. Ackerman discussed how the costs incurred by county clerk and recorders will increase as a result of the bill, and outreach to inactive voters currently taking place on the part of county clerk and recorders.

01:54 PM -- Mr. Alton Dillard, representing the Denver Clerk and Recorder, testified regarding the bill. Mr. Dillard expressed concerns regarding an amendment placed on the bill by the Senate that requires voter information cards to be forwardable. Mr. Dillard discussed the number of people that failed to vote in the 2006 election as the result of long lines at polls, and Denver's position on returning to the House version of the bill, with certain amendments.

01:57 PM

Discussion ensued regarding making voters aware of their voter status through current mail notifications. Mr. Chris Ward, Legislative Council Staff, explained the information that went into determining the fiscal impact of the bill. Mr. Ward responded to questions regarding how the bill's fiscal impact would change using data from the 2006 election, and the cost to the state associated with reimbursing counties for inactive voters who become active. Discussion ensued regarding the specific language needed to meet the compromise between the two chambers to address voters deemed inactive as a result of not voting in 2006, and the fiscal impact of the bill if so amended.

02:03 PM

The committee recessed.

05:36 PM

The conference committee returned to order. Mr. Hershey explained the effect of a second conference committee report draft (CLHB1401.002 -- Attachment B).


BILL:	HB08-1401
TIME:	05:38:16 PM
MOVED:	Gordon
MOTION:	Moved the First Report of the First Conference Committee on House Bill 08-1401 (CLHB1401.002 -- Attachment B). The motion passed on a 5-0-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Weissmann
		VOTE
	Weissmann	Yes
	Bacon	Yes
	Looper	Yes
	Johnson	Excused
	Gordon	Yes
	Marshall	Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

05:38 PM

The conference committee adjourned.