Date: 02/19/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1221

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved a conceptual amendment, page 4, line 2, stri
Moved prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment D). Th
Moved prepared amendment L.003 (Attachment E). Th
Moved prepared amendment L.004 (Attachment F). Th
Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Bill 09-1221.		Pass Without Objection
PASS
TIE
Pass Without Objection
PASS



11:44 AM

The committee recessed.


11:49 AM -- House Bill 09-1221

Representative S. King, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1221, concerning the mandatory furloughs for certain state employees during certain state fiscal years. Representative King provided background regarding his reasons for sponsoring the bill, comparing Colorado's current state government financial situation to that of Maryland. Representative King also discussed the need for solutions to the state's budget shortfall, and explained the fiscal impact of the bill. Representative King then discussed the impact of the bill on state employees, and the plight of employees in the private sector. Representative King returned his discussion to the need for solutions to the state budget shortfall.


11:59 AM

Discussion ensued regarding the definition of furlough under House Bill 09-1221, the impact of requiring state employee furloughs on the provision of government services, and the potential for reducing the number of state employees instead of instituting furloughs. Representative King responded to questions regarding the Governor's position on the bill, and discussions in the executive department of other budget reduction solutions pertaining to state employment.


12:09 PM

Representative King responded to questions regarding reducing budget lines for state employment based on cash funding versus funding from the general fund. Representative King discussed the Governor's budgeting priorities. Discussion ensued regarding the need for statutory authority for the Governor to require state employee furloughs, and alternative options for granting the executive furlough powers. Discussion followed regarding the need for flexibility on the issue of furloughs among the executive departments.


12:19 PM

Discussion continued regarding the Governor's position on House Bill 09-1221, and the Governor's authority to institute state employee furloughs without legislation. Discussion ensued regarding the institution of voluntary furloughs versus mandatory furloughs, and certain legal considerations should furloughs be mandated, such as contract issues. Discussion returned to the impact of mandatory state employee furloughs on the provision of government services.


12:29 PM

Discussion continued regarding the impact of furloughs on the provision of government services.


12:30 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 09-1221:


12:30 PM -- Ms. Kathy Zamperini, representing Colorado WINS, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Zamperini discussed her work at the Department of Labor and Employment, and the impact mandated state employee furloughs would have on the department's workload and the provision of government services. Ms. Zamperini also discussed the impact of the current economic situation on the provision of government services by all state agencies.


12:37 PM -- Ms. Marie Burks, representing herself and Colorado WINS, testified in opposition to House Bill 09-1221. Ms. Burks explained the purpose of Colorado WINS, and discussed the potential state revenue losses that may occur as a result of employee furloughs. Ms. Burks also discussed the economic and workload burdens already experienced by state employees, and further burdens that would result from mandatory furloughs.


12:41 PM

Representative King explained the effect of prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment D).
BILL:HB09-1221
TIME: 12:42:52 PM
MOVED:Todd
MOTION:Moved prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion passed on a 7-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Labuda
VOTE
Casso
Yes
Court
Yes
Hullinghorst
No
Lambert
No
Massey
Yes
McCann
Yes
Miklosi
No
Murray
Yes
Nikkel
No
Labuda
Yes
Todd
Yes
Not Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

090219AttachD.pdf

12:43 PM

Representative King explained the effect of prepared amendment L.003 (Attachment E). Discussion ensued regarding the impact of mandatory furloughs on the deduction levels for the Public Employee Retirement Association (PERA).

090219AttachE.pdf

12:46 PM

The committee recessed.

12:59 PM

The committee returned to order. Discussion returned to the impact of the amendment on PERA deduction levels and state contributions to PERA.



BILL:HB09-1221
TIME: 12:43:48 PM
MOVED:Todd
MOTION:Moved prepared amendment L.003 (Attachment E). The motion was withdrawn.
SECONDED:Labuda
VOTE
Casso
Court
Hullinghorst
Lambert
Massey
McCann
Miklosi
Murray
Nikkel
Labuda
Todd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: TIE


BILL:HB09-1221
TIME: 01:01:03 PM
MOVED:Todd
MOTION:Moved prepared amendment L.004 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Labuda
VOTE
Casso
Court
Hullinghorst
Lambert
Massey
McCann
Miklosi
Murray
Nikkel
Labuda
Todd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

090219AttachF.pdf

01:01 PM

Representative Lambert suggested a conceptual amendment, and explained his reason for doing so.
BILL:HB09-1221
TIME: 01:01:28 PM
MOVED:Lambert
MOTION:Moved a conceptual amendment, page 4, line 2, strike "nursing" and substitute "medical". The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Todd
VOTE
Casso
Court
Hullinghorst
Lambert
Massey
McCann
Miklosi
Murray
Nikkel
Labuda
Todd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



01:02 PM

Representative King provided closing remarks in favor of House Bill 09-1221.


BILL:HB09-1221
TIME: 01:02:41 PM
MOVED:Hullinghorst
MOTION:Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Bill 09-1221. The motion passed on an 11-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Labuda
VOTE
Casso
Yes
Court
Yes
Hullinghorst
Yes
Lambert
Yes
Massey
Yes
McCann
Yes
Miklosi
Yes
Murray
Yes
Nikkel
Yes
Labuda
Yes
Todd
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




01:03 PM

The committee adjourned.