Date: 03/04/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1054

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved that House Bill 09-1054 be referred to the CPASS



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