House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs (03/03/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:	03/03/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:37 PM to 03:42 PM	Casso	X
		Court	X
Place:	HCR 0112	Hullinghorst	X
		Lambert	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Massey	X
	Representative Todd	McCann	X
		Miklosi	*
This Report was prepared by		Murray	X
	Bo Pogue	Nikkel	X
		Labuda	E
		Todd	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HB09-1018 HB09-1280 HB09-1291 SB09-111		Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole Amended, Referred to Health and Human Services Amended, Referred to Appropriations Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:37 PM -- House Bill 09-1018

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Bradford, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1018, concerning the removal of obsolete language in statutory provisions implementing the statewide voter registration and election system for purposes of compliance with the federal "Help America Vote Act." The committee referred the bill to the Committee of the Whole at its January 22nd meeting, and the bill was subsequently rereferred to the committee. Representative Bradford provided background on previous action taken on the bill. Committee members received a hand-out explaining the election rules relevant to the bill (Attachment A). Representative Todd explained the contents of Attachment A. Discussion ensued regarding the proper course of action for referring the bill to the Committee of the Whole with the same amendment that was attached on January 22nd.


BILL:	HB09-1018
TIME:	01:45:48 PM
MOVED:	Court
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.004 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Nikkel
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	Hullinghorst
	Lambert
	Massey
	McCann
	Miklosi	Excused
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

01:46 PM

Discussion ensued regarding the effect of House Bill 09-1018, as amended, and the recommendations of the Election Reform Commission.


BILL:	HB09-1018
TIME:	01:46:46 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1018, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 10-0-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Massey
		VOTE
	Casso	Yes
	Court	Yes
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Lambert	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Nikkel	Yes
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd	Yes

Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:52 PM -- House Bill 09-1280

Representative Looper, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1280, concerning the adoption of a Youth Challenge Corps program in Colorado. Representative Looper explained the effect of the bill, and the program created under the bill. Representative Looper then introduced a film that explained the purpose and mission of the Youth Challenge Corps. Representative Looper discussed the funding sources for the program, and explained how the program needs to be approved to secure federal funding. Discussion ensued regarding the potential future fiscal impact of creating a Youth Challenge Corps in Colorado.

02:02 PM

Discussion ensued regarding the benefits to be realized from establishing youth rehabilitation programs. Representative Looper responded to questions regarding the potential for coordinating the Youth Challenge Corps with another state program aimed at benefitting at-risk youth. Discussion ensued regarding the siting of facilities to accommodate the Youth Challenge Corps.

02:06 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 09-1280:

02:06 PM -- Mr. Ray Dissinger, representing the Colorado National Guard, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and himself, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Dissinger discussed how the military changed his life for the better, and how establishing a Youth Challenge Corps in Colorado will benefit at-risk youth. Mr. Dissinger then explained how the program will function. Mr. Dissinger responded to questions regarding the history of the Youth Challenge Corps in Colorado, since the program was active in the state at one time. Mr. Dissinger responded to questions regarding the ability of Youth Challenge Corps staff to handle mental health issues and certain at-risk behaviors. Mr. Dissinger responded to further questions regarding the accommodations available for program participants, and the ability of participants to return home on weekends. Mr. Dissinger responded to a follow-up question on parental waiver for program participation.

02:16 PM

Mr. Dissinger responded to questions regarding how youth challenge corps program participants are recruited for, or referred to, the program.

02:17 PM -- Mr. Tony Lombard, representing the Colorado District Attorneys Council, testified in favor of House Bill 09-1280. Mr. Lombard discussed the Youth Challenge Corps' ability to keep youth out of the criminal justice system.

02:18 PM -- Mr. Walter Paul, representing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Paul discussed his role with the previous incarnation of the Colorado Youth Challenge Corps, and explained the demise of the program. Mr. Paul responded to questions regarding the reasons for the program's demise, and the location of the program when it was running. Mr. Paul responded to further questions regarding the process involved in getting the program running and establishing a federal funding source for the program. Mr. Paul addressed an additional question regarding the siting of the program facilities if it is recreated.

02:28 PM

Mr. Paul responded to questions regarding the Colorado National Guard's officer training program, and the potential for locating the Youth Challenge Corps at the training facilities.

02:30 PM

Representative Looper explained the effect of prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment C). Representative Looper responded to questions regarding changes to the age requirements for the program by amendment L.002.


BILL:	HB09-1280
TIME:	02:30:26 PM
MOVED:	Massey
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Lambert
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	Hullinghorst
	Lambert
	Massey
	McCann
	Miklosi
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

02:33 PM

Representative Looper explained the effect of prepared amendment L.003 (Attachment D).


BILL:	HB09-1280
TIME:	02:33:28 PM
MOVED:	Massey
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.003 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Lambert
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	Hullinghorst
	Lambert
	Massey
	McCann
	Miklosi
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

02:34 PM

Representative Looper provided closing remarks in favor of House Bill 09-1280. Discussion ensued regarding moving the bill to the Committee on Health and Human Services, and the reasons for doing so. Representative Looper provided her opinion on moving the bill to the Committee on Health and Human Services.


BILL:	HB09-1280
TIME:	02:40:32 PM
MOVED:	Hullinghorst
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1280, as amended, to the Committee on Health and Human Services with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 7-3-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Court
		VOTE
	Casso	No
	Court	Yes
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Lambert	Yes
	Massey	No
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	No
	Nikkel	Yes
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd	Yes

Final YES: 7 NO: 3 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:41 PM -- House Bill 09-1291

Representative Nikkel, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1291, concerning providing information regarding resources available to veterans of the United States armed forces. Representative Nikkel explained the effect of the bill, and discussed the bill's fiscal impact. Representative Nikkel also discussed staffing requirements for the clearinghouse created by the bill, and the types of resources that will be available through the clearinghouse. Representative Nikkel then discussed certain situations that require assistance for veterans, and explained how the information clearinghouse will help connect veterans and resources. Representative Nikkel responded to questions regarding the need for legislation to establish a veterans information clearinghouse.

02:53 PM

Representative Nikkel responded to questions regarding the siting of the clearinghouse created by House Bill 09-1291.

02:54 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 09-1291:

02:54 PM -- Mr. George Thomas, representing the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Thomas discussed the lack of a centralized information resource for veterans, and the impact of this lack of centralization on the ability to connect veterans with available resources. Mr. Thomas provided anecdotes to this effect. Mr. Thomas then discussed the work that would be accomplished by the clearinghouse.

03:00 PM -- Mr. Bill Conroy, representing the Division of Veterans Affairs, testified in favor of House Bill 09-1291. Mr. Conroy provided examples of instances where a centralized information clearinghouse for veterans would be useful, based on his experiences with the division. Mr. Conroy responded to questions regarding the potential for putting veterans resource information on the Statewide Information Portal Authority or other state information technology infrastructure.

03:04 PM -- Mr. Walter Paul, representing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Paul discussed the events that led to the idea for creating an information clearinghouse for veterans, and the resources currently available to fund an evaluation of the steps that need to be taken to create the clearinghouse.

03:07 PM -- Mr. Artie Guerrero, representing the United Veterans Committee, testified in favor of House Bill 09-1291. Mr. Guerrero discussed the need for a veterans information clearinghouse, and the reasons why difficulties exist in connecting resources and veterans.

03:09 PM

Representative Nikkel explained the effect of prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment E).


BILL:	HB09-1291
TIME:	03:08:45 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Court
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	Hullinghorst
	Lambert
	Massey
	McCann
	Miklosi
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1291
TIME:	03:09:47 PM
MOVED:	Lambert
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1291, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 10-0-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Miklosi
		VOTE
	Casso	Yes
	Court	Yes
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Lambert	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Nikkel	Yes
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd	Yes

Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:11 PM -- Senate Bill 09-111

Representative Court, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 09-111, concerning continuation of the "Notaries Public Act". Representative Court explained the effect of the bill, and discussed forthcoming prepared amendments L.004 (Attachment F) and L.005 (Attachment G).

03:16 PM

The following persons testified regarding Senate Bill 09-111:

03:16 PM -- Mr. Brian Tobias, representing the Department of Regulatory Agencies, testified in favor of the bill, and explained the effect of prepared amendment L.005. Mr. Tobias also explained the circumstances that led to the need for amendment L.005. Mr. Tobias responded to questions regarding the elimination of certain provisions in state law by the bill, and the effect of amendment L.004 on these provisions.

03:19 PM -- Mr. James Benjamin, representing the Colorado Bar Association, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Benjamin explained the effect of amendment L.004, and the reason for eliminating certain portions of the bill by the amendment. Mr. Benjamin also explained why a certain provision stricken by amendment L.004 was originally in the bill. Mr. Benjamin responded to questions regarding the concept of dishonor and presentment, such as when a payment of a check is refused by a bank. Mr. Benjamin responded to further questions regarding the elimination of the authority of a notary to notarize photographs, and the treatment of conflicts of interest as a disqualifying condition for performing notorial acts by the bill.

03:29 PM -- Ms. Angela Davidson, representing US Bank, testified in favor of Senate Bill 09-111. Ms. Davidson discussed a situation in which failures by a notary employed by US Bank resulted in a large monetary loss, and efforts by the bank to better regulate the activities of its notaries. Ms. Davidson responded to questions regarding a provision in the bill that requires the Secretary of State to promulgate rules that require notaries to complete training, and how such training would be provided. Ms. Davidson also discussed the efficacy of this type of training.

03:35 PM -- Mr. Mike Shea, representing the Secretary of State, testified regarding the bill, making himself available for questions. Mr. Shea responded to questions regarding notary training currently provided by the Secretary of State, and discussed the inability of the department to provide enough training.

03:39 PM

Representative Hullinghorst explained the effect of prepared amendment L.004.


BILL:	SB09-111
TIME:	03:39:37 PM
MOVED:	Court
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.004 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	Hullinghorst
	Lambert
	Massey
	McCann
	Miklosi
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:40 PM

Representative Court explained the effect of prepared amendment L.005.


BILL:	SB09-111
TIME:	03:40:12 PM
MOVED:	Court
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.005 (Attachment G). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	Hullinghorst
	Lambert
	Massey
	McCann
	Miklosi
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:40 PM

Representative Court provided closing remarks in favor of Senate Bill 09-111.


BILL:	SB09-111
TIME:	03:41:11 PM
MOVED:	Court
MOTION:	Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-111, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 9-0-2 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		VOTE
	Casso	Yes
	Court	Yes
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Lambert	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	Excused
	Nikkel	Yes
	Labuda	Excused
	Todd	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:42 PM

The committee adjourned.