Colorado Reapportionment Commission (05/12/2011)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COLORADO REAPPORTIONMENT COMMISSION

Date:	05/12/2011	ATTENDANCE

Time:	02:07 PM to 03:19 PM	Atencio	*
		Berry	X
Place:	LSB A	Carrera	X
		Carroll	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Jones	X
	Senator Carrera	Loevy	X
		Nicolais	X
This Report was prepared by		Salazar	X
	Bo Pogue	Tool	E
		Webb	X
		Witwer	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Welcome and Introductions Introduction of Committee Staff Election of Chair and Vice Chair Time Line for Commission's Work Discussion of Dividing State into Regions Discussion of Retention of Outside Counsel		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Pass Pass Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only Pass

Note: This meeting summary is not an official record of the commission or of the meeting. It is not intended to serve as a transcript or minutes of the commission meeting. The audio recording of the meeting is the official record of the meeting. This summary may be used as a guide to the audio recording. To access the audio recording of a commission meeting, visit the Colorado Joint Legislative Library located in the State Capitol, Room 048 (basement/ground floor level). You will need to note the date, time, and location of the meeting to access the audio recording. Copies of the audio recordings may be obtained at the library if you bring with you blank, recordable compact discs or a flash drive. Librarians are on site and available to assist you with accessing an audio recording.

02:08 PM -- Welcome and Introductions

The commission was called to order. A quorum was present. Commission members received a packet (Attachment A) containing: (1) a welcome letter from Mr. Jeremiah Barry, Reapportionment Commission Staff Director; (2) a copy of portions of the Colorado Constitution pertaining to reapportionment and redistricting; (3) House Bill 10-1210, concerning the redistricting process; (4) a potential commission schedule; (5) a series of calendar months; (6) a handout showing reelection eligibility status for current members of the General Assembly; and (7) a list of six proposed regions for dividing the state for map-drawing purposes. The members of the commission briefly introduced themselves and provided their backgrounds.

02:12 PM -- Introduction of Committee Staff

Mr. Barry introduced himself and explained his professional background with respect to reapportionment. Mr. Barry introduced the commission's staff to the commission, providing their background and explaining their roles with the General Assembly. Mr. Barry also explained the role of staff in the reapportionment process.

02:17 PM -- Election of Chair and Vice Chair

The commission discussed the merits of nominating Commissioner Carrera as the commission chair.


BILL:	Election of Chair and Vice Chair
TIME:	02:17:49 PM
MOVED:	Salazar
MOTION:	Moved to nominate Commissioner Carrera as permanent commission chair. The motion passed on a 10-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Webb
		VOTE
	Atencio	Yes
	Berry	Yes
	Carrera	Yes
	Carroll	Yes
	Jones	Yes
	Loevy	Yes
	Nicolais	Yes
	Salazar	Yes
	Tool	Excused
	Webb	Yes
	Witwer	Yes

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


BILL:	Election of Chair and Vice Chair
TIME:	02:19:29 PM
MOVED:	Carroll
MOTION:	Moved to nominate Commissioner Webb as commission vice chair. The motion passed on a 10-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Atencio
		VOTE
	Atencio	Yes
	Berry	Yes
	Carrera	Yes
	Carroll	Yes
	Jones	Yes
	Loevy	Yes
	Nicolais	Yes
	Salazar	Yes
	Tool	Excused
	Webb	Yes
	Witwer	Yes

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

02:20 PM -- Time Line for Commission's Work

Mr. Barry provided an overview of the timing of the reapportionment process as required by state law, and explained how this time line functions in conjunction with the political party precinct caucus date. Mr. Barry explained certain requirements for mapping district precincts prior to the caucus date, and recommended a schedule that focuses on the potential for a precinct caucus in February. Mr. Barry then presented a proposed time line for the commission's activities.

02:30 PM

Mr. Barry continued discussing the commission's time line, as proposed in one of the documents in Attachment A. Mr. Barry explained how he developed six regions as a baseline for reapportioning the state's districts, and responded to questions regarding why the number of regions was reduced from eight during the last round of reapportionment. Discussion ensued regarding developing a map showing the number of legislative districts per county. Mr. Barry responded to questions regarding consideration of geography in determining the six reapportionment regions. Discussion followed regarding the potential for establishing a process by which district maps are proposed to the commission. Commissioner Witwer proposed that the commission direct staff to establish district maps that the commission would use as a baseline in beginning its deliberations. Commissioner Witwer distributed a letter to this effect to the commission (Attachment B).

02:41 PM

Discussion ensued regarding Commissioner Witwer's proposal. Commissioner Nicolais proposed establishing a list of criteria to be considered in creating district maps. Mr. Barry responded to questions regarding plans for briefing the commission at a future meeting on criteria to be considered during reapportionment. Discussion followed regarding the conduct of the reapportionment process during previous efforts in 2001 and 1991, and statutory requirements for criteria to be considered in drawing district maps. Discussion returned to the commission's proposed meeting schedule. Mr. Barry responded to questions regarding the typical length of a Reapportionment Commission meeting, and the ability of the commission to complete its work by meeting on Mondays starting at 11:00 a.m. Discussion ensued on this proposal.

02:53 PM

Discussion ensued regarding the commission's meeting schedule and proposed activity time line. Discussion followed regarding how the commission will break the state into regions. Discussion returned to the commission's meeting schedule.


BILL:	Time Line for Commission's Work
TIME:	02:58:23 PM
MOVED:	Atencio
MOTION:	Moved that the commission meet on Mondays at 11:00 a.m., with meetings conflicting with federal holidays being moved to Tuesday. The motion passed on a 10-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Jones
		VOTE
	Atencio	Yes
	Berry	Yes
	Carrera	Yes
	Carroll	Yes
	Jones	Yes
	Loevy	Yes
	Nicolais	Yes
	Salazar	Yes
	Tool	Excused
	Webb	Yes
	Witwer	Yes

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

03:00 PM -- Discussion of Dividing States into Regions

Mr. Barry returned the discussion to how the commission will divide the state into regions. Commissioner Carroll discussed how changing demographics may affect how the commission will create these regions, and resources that may be accessed in creating these regions. Mr. Barry responded to questions regarding past processes undertaken to create plans and conduct hearings in the state's regions. Discussion returned to the commission's meeting schedule, and agenda items to be covered at upcoming meetings.

03:09 PM -- Discussion of Retention of Outside Counsel

Mr. Barry briefed the committee on a plan to retain outside counsel on behalf of the commission. Mr. Barry responded to questions regarding the budget for retaining such counsel, and the potential for creating a subcommittee to explore outside counsel options. Commissioner Witwer proposed placing a cap on the amount of money to be spent on outside counsel. Mr. Barry responded to additional questions regarding the budget for retaining outside counsel for the reapportionment process, and options for controlling attorney costs.


BILL:	Discussion of Retention of Outside Counsel
TIME:	03:16:44 PM
MOVED:	Witwer
MOTION:	Moved to create a subcommittee, consisting of commissioners Attencio and Nicolais, to explore options for hiring outside counsel. The motion passed on a 10-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:	Carroll
		VOTE
	Atencio	Yes
	Berry	Yes
	Carrera	Yes
	Carroll	Yes
	Jones	Yes
	Loevy	Yes
	Nicolais	Yes
	Salazar	Yes
	Tool	Excused
	Webb	Yes
	Witwer	Yes

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

03:19 PM

The commission adjourned.