Date: 02/23/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1272

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer House Bill 12-1272, to the CommittePASS



03:37 PM -- House Bill 12-1272

Representatives Duran and Ramirez, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 12-1272. This bill extends until June 30, 2014, enhanced unemployment insurance compensation benefits for eligible unemployment insurance (UI) claimants engaged in an approved training program for entry into a high-demand occupation. The Director of the Division of Employment and Training in the Department of Labor and Employment is responsible for identifying high-demand occupations. Under current law, the division can obligate $15 million over three years, ending June 30, 2012, for enhanced UI benefits. This bill authorizes the division to obligate $8 million for FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14. The division may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations to cover its administrative costs.

The definition of approved training program is expanded to include employer-based or entrepreneurial training programs approved by the director. The bill removes the options of training for entry into an occupation that leads to stable, long-term employment, or an occupation in the renewable energy field. The definition of eligible UI claimant is expanded to include those receiving extended benefits, or benefits under a military or federal claim. The bill is repealed effective July 1, 2014.

03:44 PM -- Kathy White, representing the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, testified in support of the bill. Representative Szabo asked the witness to explain how this program works.

03:55 PM -- Pat Teegarden, representing the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the UI Trust Fund.

04:02 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Businesses, testified in support of the bill.

04:05 PM -- Loren Furman, representing the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, testified in support of the bill.

04:07 PM -- Maggie Gomez, representing 9 to 5, testified in support of the bill.

04:11 PM

The sponsors gave some closing remarks on the bill.

BILL:HB12-1272
TIME: 04:11:54 PM
MOVED:Wilson
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 12-1272, to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a vote of 7-4.
SECONDED:Singer
VOTE
Balmer
No
Holbert
No
Miklosi
Excused
Priola
No
Singer
Yes
Soper
Yes
Swerdfeger
Yes
Szabo
Absent
Tyler
Yes
Williams A.
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Swalm
No
Liston
Yes
YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 1 ABS: 1 FINAL ACTION: PASS