House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs (05/04/2010)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:	05/04/2010	ATTENDANCE

Time:	03:16 PM to 03:58 PM	Casso	X
		Court	X
Place:	HCR 0112	DelGrosso	*
		Hullinghorst	X
This Meeting was called to order by		McCann	X
	Representative Todd	Miklosi	X
		Murray	*
This Report was prepared by		Nikkel	*
	Bo Pogue	Waller	X
		Labuda	X
		Todd	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HJR10-1031 HCR10-1006		Postponed Indefinitely Postponed Indefinitely

03:16 PM

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present.

03:17 PM -- House Joint Resolution 10-1031

Representative Swalm, prime sponsor, presented House Joint Resolution 10-1031, concerning a request that Congress call a convention for the limited purpose of considering an amendment to the United States Constitution to require a balanced federal budget. Representative Swalm discussed issues associated with the national debt and the fiscal situation at the federal level, and explained the effect of the resolution. Representative Swalm presented anecdotes illustrating the public's mood on the economy and the national debt. Representative Swalm then discussed ways in which action can be taken to address the federal budget shortfall, including calling a constitutional convention to require a balanced budget.

03:27 PM

Representative Swalm provided background on the passage of certain amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and previous efforts to forward a balanced budget amendment to the states.

03:30 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Joint Resolution 10-1031:

03:31 PM -- Mr. Scott Nicholson, representing citizens, testified in favor of the resolution. Mr. Nicholson discussed the nation's debt level, and shared his concerns regarding the potential impact of this debt on levels of taxation and future generations.

03:34 PM -- Mr. Chris Davis, representing himself and his family, testified in favor of House Joint Resolution 10-1031. Mr. Davis discussed the potential benefits of a federal balanced budget amendment, and bipartisan support for such an amendment. Mr. Davis also discussed public support for the idea of a federal balanced budget amendment.

03:38 PM -- Mr. Grant Whiteside, representing himself and his children, testified in favor of the resolution. Mr. Whiteside discussed his experiences in other countries that have large debt burdens, and the effect of national debts on the citizenry and future generations.

03:41 PM

No amendments were offered to House Joint Resolution 10-1031. Representative Swalm presented closing remarks in favor of the resolution. Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the resolution and efforts to bring the national debt under control.


BILL:	House Joint Resolution 10-1031
TIME:	03:41:54 PM
MOVED:	Murray
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Joint Resolution 10-1031 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion failed on a 5-6 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Nikkel
		VOTE
	Casso	Yes
	Court	No
	DelGrosso	Yes
	Hullinghorst	No
	McCann	No
	Miklosi	No
	Murray	Yes
	Nikkel	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	Labuda	No
	Todd	No

Not Final YES: 5 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	House Joint Resolution 10-1031
TIME:	03:49:44 PM
MOVED:	Labuda
MOTION:	Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Joint Resolution 10-1031. The motion passed on a 6-5 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		VOTE
	Casso	No
	Court	Yes
	DelGrosso	No
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	No
	Nikkel	No
	Waller	No
	Labuda	Yes
	Todd	Yes

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

03:50 PM -- House Concurrent Resolution 10-1006

Representative McNulty, prime sponsor, presented House Concurrent Resolution 10-1006, concerning prior voter approval for a tax policy change directly causing a net tax revenue gain to any district. Representative McNulty explained the effect of the resolution and the need for the constitutional changes contained in it. Representative McNulty responded to questions regarding the effect of Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution on referral of tax increases to the ballot, and the need for this resolution in light of requirements in this portion of the constitution.

03:55 PM

No testimony was heard on House Concurrent Resolution 10-1006, and no amendments were offered.


BILL:	House Concurrent Resolution 10-1006
TIME:	03:56:00 PM
MOVED:	Waller
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 10-1006 to the Committee on Finance with a favorable recommendation. The motion failed on a 4-7 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Nikkel
		VOTE
	Casso	No
	Court	No
	DelGrosso	Yes
	Hullinghorst	No
	McCann	No
	Miklosi	No
	Murray	Yes
	Nikkel	Yes
	Waller	Yes
	Labuda	No
	Todd	No

Not Final YES: 4 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	House Concurrent Resolution 10-1006
TIME:	03:56:55 PM
MOVED:	Labuda
MOTION:	Moved to Postpone Indefinitely House Concurrent Resolution 10-1006. The motion passed on a 6-5 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	Yes
	Todd	Yes

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

03:58 PM

The committee adjourned.