Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:03/04/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:35 PM to 03:07 PM
Boyd
X
Cadman
X
Place:SCR 353
Schultheis
X
Bacon
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Williams
X
Senator Williams
This Report was prepared by
Geoff Johnson
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB09-1083
HB09-1054
HB09-1058
HB09-1168
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole


01:35 PM

Senator Williams, Chair, called the meeting to order.

01:35 PM -- House Bill 09-1083

Senator Tapia, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1083, concerning the authority of the state to enter into lease-purchase agreements for commercial space for the Department of Personnel and Administration in Pueblo County, Colorado. He commented on the current lease for property to which the Department of Personnel and Administration is a party. He said that House Bill 09-1083 will allow the department to own the property after 18 years.

The following person testified in regard to House Bill 09-1083:

01:40 PM --
Bill Taylor, representing the Department of Personnel and Administration, said that the department's Integrated Documents Solutions Group is housed on property located in Pueblo. He noted that printing, graphic design, and microfilming are performed at this facility. He said that the property is currently leased from the Pueblo Economic Development Group. He commented on work that is conducted at the facility for other state departments.
BILL:HB09-1083
TIME: 01:54:08 PM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Moved that House Bill 09-1083 be referred to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed on a 5-0-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Boyd
Yes
Cadman
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Bacon
Yes
Williams
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:57 PM -- House Bill 09-1054

Senator Morse, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1054, concerning eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits for an individual who leaves employment to relocate to a new place of residence after the individual's active duty military spouse is killed in combat. He said that House Bill 09-1054 will provide unemployment insurance to the spouse of an active duty soldier who is killed in combat and moves for new employment after the death. He said that the provision of these benefits is the least that the state can do to express their gratitude for soldiers who have given their lives in combat.

The following persons testified in regard to House Bill 09-1054:

01:59 PM --
Amber Nicodemus, Colorado Springs, representing herself, said that her husband returned from Iraq with a severe brain injury. She said that families of those who are severely injured have benefits that are not available to spouses of persons who have died in combat.

02:04 PM --
Walter Paul, Legislative Liaison, Colorado Department of Military Affairs, supported House Bill 09-1054.

02:06 PM -- Nate Gorman, representing the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, supported House Bill 09-1054. He noted that potential benefit recipients must be actively seeking employment under the bill.

02:18 PM --
Jeff Clayton, representing the Colorado Division of Labor and Employment, described how House Bill 09-1054 will mesh with current state law regarding eligibility for unemployment benefits.

02:27 PM -- John Harris, Denver, representing himself, said that his son was killed in Iraq two years ago. He commented on his experiences subsequent to the death of his son.
BILL:HB09-1054
TIME: 02:30:32 PM
MOVED:Bacon
MOTION:Moved that House Bill 09-1054 be referred to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed on a 5-0-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Boyd
Yes
Cadman
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Bacon
Yes
Williams
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:31 PM -- House Bill 09-1058

Senator Morse, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1058, concerning the final disposition of the remains of veterans of the armed forces that have been abandoned. He said that House Bill 09-1058 will ensure that veterans receive their due even many years after their service.

The following persons testified in regard to House Bill 09-1058:

02:33 PM --
Steve Hosie, Indian Hills, representing himself, said that he is a veteran, and that House Bill 09-1058 addresses unclaimed heroes who deserve full military honors. He spoke of cases in which military remains have been unclaimed. He said that House Bill 09-1058 will allow veterans organizations to make contacts to ensure that fallen soldiers receive a proper burial. He said that in the event that remains are not claimed by the next of kin, a soldier's remains can sit unclaimed for decades.

02:39 PM --
Susan Collins, representing the Colorado State Historical Society, supported House Bill 09-1058. She said that House Bill 09-1058 should be clarified to ensure that it does not extend to the exhumation of remains.

02:41 PM --
Nate Gorman, representing the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, supported House Bill 09-1058. He commented on the development of the legislation over the last year.

02:51 PM --
John Harris, Denver, representing himself, commented on the process by which remains are claimed from funeral homes.

02:55 PM --
Ray Hoskinson, Denver, representing himself, spoke of the process by which remains will be interred under House Bill 09-1058.
BILL:HB09-1058
TIME: 03:00:27 PM
MOVED:Cadman
MOTION:Moved a prepared amendment to House Bill 09-1058 (Attachment A), L.003. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Boyd
Cadman
Schultheis
Bacon
Williams
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
090304AttachA.pdf





















BILL:HB09-1058
TIME: 03:00:39 PM
MOVED:Cadman
MOTION:Moved that House Bill 09-1058 be referred to the Committee of the Whole, as amended. The motion passed on a 5-0-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Boyd
Yes
Cadman
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Bacon
Yes
Williams
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
03:01 PM -- House Bill 09-1168

Senator Schwartz, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1168, concerning the timing of reports to the Capital Development Committee (CDC). She spoke of reporting requirements under House Bill 09-1168. Senator Bacon said that the relationship between the CDC and the Colorado Division of Wildlife in regard to the approval of capital projects has been unclear and that House Bill 09-1168 will clarify the relationship.


The following persons testified in regard to House Bill 09-1168:

03:03 PM --
Grady McNeil, representing the Colorado Division of Wildlife, supported House Bill 09-1168 and explained that the bill will clarify the process for approval of capital projects undertaken by the division.

03:05 PM -- Heidi Van Huysen, representing the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, supported House Bill 09-1168 and said that the division is currently following the capital project recommendation process envisioned in House Bill 09-1168.
BILL:HB09-1168
TIME: 03:06:35 PM
MOVED:Bacon
MOTION:Moved that House Bill 09-1168 be referred to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed on a 5-0-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Boyd
Yes
Cadman
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Bacon
Yes
Williams
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:07 PM

The committee meeting adjourned.