Date: 02/12/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1213

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1213, as amended, to
TIE
PASS


11:03 AM -- House Bill 09-1213

Representative Gagliardi, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1213, which concerns the creation of the Housing Development Grant Fund in the state treasury to be administered by the Division of Housing for purposes associated with increasing the supply of affordable housing in the state.

11:05 AM

Kathi Williams, Director, Division of Housing, Department of Local Affairs, testified in support of the bill, described the fund distribution, and the process for funding projects through the Housing Development Grant Fund. Director Williams explained that state fiscal rules delay the distribution to grantees and place unrealistic requirements on affordable housing projects. She testified that the bill would remedy this problems by allowing state funds to remain under the Housing Development Grant Program, which would exempt them from state fiscal rules. She addressed questions from the committee members regarding the distribution of state and federal funds by the division.

11:13 AM

Director Williams and Representative Gagliardi addressed questions regarding foreclosure prevention programs offered by the Division of Housing. Committee discussion ensued.

11:18 AM

Rachel Nance, Colorado Association of Realtors, testified in support of the bill and talked about the importance of reserving funds for affordable housing instead of reverting funds back to the state General Fund. She talked about foreclosures affecting the housing market, discussed a past state initiative to increase a real estate transfer tax, and discussed prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

090212AttachB.pdf

11:22 AM

Joyce Alms-Ransford, Rocky Mountain HDC Inc., testified in support of the bill, described the process of receiving funds from the Division of Housing, and talked about specific projects that have benefitted from state funds. Ms. Alms-Ransford discussed the state fiscal restrictions that create narrow deadlines and can make receiving and spending state funds difficult. She addressed questions from the committee members concerning affordable housing developments.

11:30 AM

William Lunsford, Development Manager, Lakewood Housing Authority, testified in support of the bill and talked about the process of receiving state funds from the Division of Housing. He talked about specific affordable projects in the City of Lakewood, the long time lines for completing projects, and the complications created by the state fiscal rules for affordable housing projects.

11:33 AM

Alana Smart, Housing Colorado, testified in support of the bill, talked about the need to finance affordable housing projects, and discussed the importance of the state providing housing development grants. She explained that state housing grants serve as important start-up funds for affordable housing projects, even though they only make up about 5 percent of a total project budget.

11:37 AM

Bruce Eisenhauer, Deputy Director, Department of Local Affairs, testified in support of the bill and talked about the need for flexibility with housing grant funds in order for the Division of Housing to continue to support affordable housing projects. Mr. Eisenhauer talked about the need for grant funds to remain in the Housing Development Grant Fund, instead of reverting funds back to the state General Fund.

11:41 AM

Representative Gagliardi distributed prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment B) and made closing comments to the bill.
BILL:HB09-1213
TIME: 11:43:03 AM
MOVED:Middleton
MOTION:Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Schafer S.
VOTE
Acree
Excused
Bradford
Excused
Liston
McKinley
Middleton
Excused
Schafer S.
Tipton
Vigil
Waller
Soper
Peniston
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 3 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: TIE


11:44 AM

Representative Liston introduced prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment C) and discussed the amendment with committee members. The committee members discussed prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment C).

BILL:HB09-1213
TIME: 11:44:59 AM
MOVED:Middleton
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 09-1213, as amended, to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a 8-3 vote.
SECONDED:Schafer S.
VOTE
Acree
Yes
Bradford
No
Liston
No
McKinley
Yes
Middleton
Yes
Schafer S.
Yes
Tipton
Yes
Vigil
Yes
Waller
No
Soper
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

090212AttachC.pdf


11:54 AM

The committee adjourned.