House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs (03/11/2010)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:	03/11/2010	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:16 AM to 12:28 PM	Casso	X
		Court	X
Place:	HCR 0112	DelGrosso	X
		Hullinghorst	*
This Meeting was called to order by		McCann	X
	Representative Todd	Miklosi	X
		Murray	X
This Report was prepared by		Nikkel	*
	Bo Pogue	Waller	X
		Labuda	*
		Todd	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HB10-1127 SB10-032 SB10-080 SB10-047 SB10-123		Postponed Indefinitely Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to the Committee of the Whole Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to the Committee of the Whole

10:16 AM -- House Bill 10-1127

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative McKinley, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 10-1127, concerning information to be provided to visitors at Rocky Flats. Testimony was heard on the bill at the committee's March 9th meeting. Committee members received a statement regarding issues associated with the bill, prepared by the Department of Public Health and Environment (Attachment A). Representative McKinley discussed the effect of contamination clean up efforts at the Rocky Flats site's buffer area, and efforts to monitor air quality at the site. Representative McKinley also spoke about dangers experienced by workers at Rocky Flats when the facility was active. Representative McKinley then discussed support for the bill from various organizations, and the process by which the bill's proposed signage language was crafted.

10:27 AM

Representative McKinley continued to discuss cleanup efforts at Rocky Flats, and questions raised about the health dangers at the site. Representatives McKinley and Hullinghorst discussed the signage language contained in prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment B). Representative Hullinghorst explained the process by which the language was crafted, and discussed the potential dangers inherent to the Rocky Flats site. Representative Hullinghorst also discussed various alternatives for warning the public of potential dangers at the Rocky Flats site. Discussion ensued regarding signage placement at Rocky Flats.

10:43 AM

Discussion continued regarding signage placement at Rocky Flats, and certain state/federal jurisdictional issues. Discussion followed regarding the time frame for opening certain lands at the Rocky Flats site as a federal wildlife refuge, and the potential effects of area contamination on wildlife and flora. Discussion turned to the existence of studies on wildlife inhabiting the area around Rocky Flats.

10:53 AM

Discussion returned to the time frame for opening the Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge, and the timing associated with placing signage at the site.


BILL:	HB10-1127
TIME:	10:32:26 AM
MOVED:	Hullinghorst
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Casso
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	DelGrosso
	Hullinghorst
	McCann
	Miklosi
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Waller
	Labuda
	Todd

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

10:57 AM

Discussion ensued regarding the proper course of action for dealing with potential dangers to the public at the Rocky Flats site. Representative McKinley responded to questions regarding the signage that currently exists at Rocky Flats. Discussion followed regarding the statements contained in Attachment A, and the immediate need for signage around Rocky Flats.


BILL:	HB10-1127
TIME:	10:57:19 AM
MOVED:	Casso
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 10-1127, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations with favorable recommendation. The motion failed on a 3-8 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		VOTE
	Casso	Yes
	Court	No
	DelGrosso	No
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	McCann	No
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	No
	Nikkel	No
	Waller	No
	Labuda	No
	Todd	No

Not Final YES: 3 NO: 8 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

11:05 AM

Discussion ensued regarding the potential for closing the Rocky Flats site to the public, and the need to inform the public of potential dangers at the site.


BILL:	HB10-1127
TIME:	11:07:04 AM
MOVED:	Labuda
MOTION:	Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Bill 10-1127. The motion passed on a 6-5 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Waller
		VOTE
	Casso	No
	Court	No
	DelGrosso	Yes
	Hullinghorst	No
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	No
	Murray	Yes
	Nikkel	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	Todd	No

Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:08 AM -- Senate Bill 10-032

Representative Lambert, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 10-032, concerning the authorization of amendments to existing state information technology contracts for purposes of furthering consolidation of the management of state agency information technology resources in the Office of Information Technology. Committee members received a fact sheet on the bill, prepared by the Office of Information Technology (Attachment C). Representative Lambert briefly discussed the effect of the bill. The following person testified regarding the bill:

11:10 AM -- Mr. Todd Olson, representing the Office of Information Technology, testified in favor of Senate Bill 10-032. Mr. Olson discussed statutory obstacles to efficient state information technology contracting, and explained how the bill will help remedy these situations.

11:11 AM

No amendments were offered to Senate Bill 10-032. Discussion ensued regarding efforts to improve contracting efficiency.


BILL:	SB10-032
TIME:	11:12:49 AM
MOVED:	Court
MOTION:	Moved to refer Senate Bill 10-032 to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on an 11-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Murray
		VOTE
	Casso	Yes
	Court	Yes
	DelGrosso	Yes
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Nikkel	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	Todd	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:15 AM -- Senate Bill 10-080

Representative Frangas, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 10-080, concerning allowing court-entered civil protection orders to include directives concerning animals. Representative Frangas explained the effect of the bill, and discussed the need for the legislation. Discussion ensued regarding similar legislation that has recently passed through the General Assembly.

11:17 AM

The following persons testified regarding Senate Bill 10-080:

11:17 AM -- Ms. Chris Radeff, representing the Colorado Bar Association, testified in favor of the bill. Ms. Radeff discussed the process of protection orders, and explained why animals need to be included within the protections afforded by such orders. Ms. Radeff responded to questions regarding the frequency with which animals are subjected to abuse in domestic abuse situations, and protective housing available for pets.

11:22 AM -- Dr. Frank Ascione, representing himself, testified in favor of Senate Bill 10-080. Dr. Ascione provided an anecdote involving pet abuse in conjunction with a domestic violence case, and discussed studies linking animal abuse and domestic abuse. Dr. Ascione also discussed the benefits of including animals within the scope of protection orders.

11:29 AM -- Mr. Ted Tow, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Tow discussed the prevalence of threatened animal abuse in domestic abuse situations.

11:31 AM -- Ms. Amy Miller, representing the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, testified in favor of Senate Bill 10-080. Ms. Miller discussed the need to close a loophole that currently allows perpetrators of violence to use animals as a tool to manipulate victims, and the benefits to children of including pets in protection orders. Ms. Miller explained that many judges currently believe they are barred from including animals in protection orders. Ms. Miller responded to questions regarding the effectiveness of protection orders.

11:36 AM -- Ms. Jessica Frazier, representing the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, testified in favor of the bill. Ms. Frazier discussed the prevalence of threats against or harm to pets in domestic violence situations, and provided anecdotes regarding the need to include animals in protection orders. Ms. Frazier also discussed the effect of current civil protection orders.

11:40 AM -- Mr. Tom Hill, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in favor of Senate Bill 10-080. Mr. Hill discussed the experiences of law enforcement with animal abuse in domestic violence situations.

11:41 AM

No amendments were offered to the bill. Committee members applauded the sponsor for bringing the legislation forward.


BILL:	SB10-080
TIME:	11:42:31 AM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved to refer Senate Bill 10-080 to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on an 11-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Murray
		VOTE
	Casso	Yes
	Court	Yes
	DelGrosso	Yes
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Nikkel	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	Todd	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:48 AM

The committee recessed.

11:51 AM -- Senate Bill 10-047

Representative Looper, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 10-047, concerning rights relating to the disposition of the last remains of members of the Armed Forces. Representative Looper provided background on the issue covered in the legislation, and explained the need for the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the prioritization of claims made by an individual on federal emergency data forms over that individual's will. Discussion followed regarding the applicability of the bill to active service members only.

12:00 PM

The following persons testified regarding Senate Bill 10-047:

12:00 PM -- Ms. Jacline Harriman, representing the Defense State Liaison Office, testified in favor of the bill. Ms. Harriman discussed the purpose of the federal DD Form 93, and provided an anecdote illustrating the need for Senate Bill 10-047.

12:02 PM -- Mr. Chuck Bowman, representing the Colorado Funeral Directors Association, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Bowman discussed the effect of forthcoming amendment L.001 (Attachment D), and discussed a situation illustrating the need for the legislation. Discussion ensued regarding the applicability of the bill to members of military reserve components not on active duty. Discussion followed regarding remedies for clarifying the applicability of the bill.

12:09 PM -- Mr. Jason Hopfer, representing Service Corporation International of Colorado, testified regarding Senate Bill 10-047. Mr. Hopfer raised concerns regarding placement of language in amendment L.001 that may result in confusion. Ms. Brita Darling, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided clarification regarding amendment L.001. Discussion ensued regarding the purpose of the federal DD Form 93, and the prioritization of claims made on this form over those in a last will and testament.

12:19 PM

Discussion continued regarding prioritization of claims made on the federal DD Form 93 over those of a will. Discussion followed regarding potential amendments to clarify this ambiguity.

12:27 PM

Representative Looper explained the effect of prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment D).


BILL:	SB10-047
TIME:	12:27:09 PM
MOVED:	Court
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	McCann
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	DelGrosso
	Hullinghorst
	McCann
	Miklosi
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Waller
	Labuda
	Todd

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

12:28 PM


BILL:	SB10-047
TIME:	12:28:16 PM
MOVED:	Court
MOTION:	Moved to refer Senate Bill 10-047, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on an 11-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Murray
		VOTE
	Casso	Yes
	Court	Yes
	DelGrosso	Yes
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Nikkel	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	Todd	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:28 PM

The committee adjourned.