Date: 03/25/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB10-1156

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Bill 10-1156.
Moved to refer House Bill 10-1156 to the Committee		PASS
FAIL



12:33 PM -- House Bill 10-1156

Representative Court, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 10-1156, concerning the public financing of political campaigns for members of the General Assembly, and, in connection therewith, creating the State Public Election Fund to be financed primarily by voluntary contributions from Colorado residents. Representative Court discussed her reasons for sponsoring the legislation, and explained the operation of and funding source for the public campaign financing program created by the bill. Representative Court responded to questions regarding the level of public financing available to those running for the General Assembly under the bill, and how the money is accessed. Discussed ensued regarding the voluntary candidate spending limits in the bill.


12:43 PM

Discussion ensued regarding the voluntary income tax checkoff line that funds the program created by House Bill 10-1156, and the process by which income tax checkoff lines are prioritized under current law.


12:46 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 10-1156:

12:46 PM -- Mr. Joshua Sharf, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Sharf discussed certain philosophical and practical objections to the bill, including the funding sources for the operation of the bill's public campaign financing program. Mr. Sharf discussed the popularity of public campaign financing programs, and certain potentially conflicting provisions in House Bill 10-1156. Mr. Sharf then discussed the factors that drive the cost of political campaigns, and certain U.S. Supreme Court decisions that have affected campaign spending limits. Mr. Sharf discussed the popularity of campaign spending limits, and the operation of voluntary campaign financing programs in other states.

12:56 PM -- Ms. Elena Nunez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified regarding House Bill 10-1156 from a neutral position. Ms. Nunez spoke in favor of public financing of campaigns in general, and rebutted previous testimony regarding public financing of campaigns in other states. Ms. Nunez raised questions pertaining to the operation of the program contained in the bill. Ms. Nunez responded to questions regarding the federal income tax checkoff program for public financing of political campaigns. Discussion ensued regarding public financing for the presidential election in 2008, and the proper methods for funding political campaigns.

01:02 PM -- Mr. Luis Toro, representing Colorado Ethics Watch, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Toro discussed the impact of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, and explained how the bill will provide an outlet of expression for those with limited financial means.


01:05 PM

No amendments were offered to House Bill 10-1156. Representative Court provided closing remarks in favor of the bill.
BILL:HB10-1156
TIME: 01:06:09 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 10-1156 to the Committee on Finance with favorable recommendation. The motion failed on a 4-7 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Todd
VOTE
Casso
No
Court
Yes
DelGrosso
No
Hullinghorst
Yes
McCann
Yes
Miklosi
Yes
Murray
No
Nikkel
No
Waller
No
Labuda
No
Todd
No
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HB10-1156
TIME: 01:06:54 PM
MOVED:Labuda
MOTION:Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Bill 10-1156. The motion passed on an 8-3 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Waller
VOTE
Casso
Yes
Court
No
DelGrosso
Yes
Hullinghorst
Yes
McCann
No
Miklosi
No
Murray
Yes
Nikkel
Yes
Waller
Yes
Labuda
Yes
Todd
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



01:07 PM

The committee adjourned.