House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs (02/25/2013)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:	02/25/2013	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:33 PM to 03:37 PM	Dore	X
		Foote	X
Place:	LSB A	Humphrey	X
		Labuda	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Melton	X
	Representative Ryden	Moreno	X
		Nordberg	E
This Report was prepared by		Scott	E
	Bo Pogue	Williams	X
		Salazar	*
		Ryden	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HB13-1197 HB13-1172 HB13-1198 HB13-1147		Postponed Indefinitely Referred to Education Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:34 PM -- House Bill 13-1197

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Lawrence, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 13-1197, concerning the prohibition of certain debt collection activities by the Department of Personnel and Administration. Representative Lawrence explained the effect of the bill, and discussed its merits.

01:39 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 13-1197:

01:39 PM -- Ms. Michelle Keller, representing the Cunningham Fire Protection District, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Keller discussed the district's debt collection arrangements with the Central Collection Services Section (CCS) within the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA), and explained the benefits of using this service. Ms. Keller responded to questions regarding the Cunningham Fire Protection District, and the reasons the district uses CCS as opposed to a private-sector debt collection service. Discussion ensued regarding the effectiveness of CCS's services, and the amount of debt written off by the district. Ms. Keller responded to questions regarding the options available to the district for debt collection services.

01:47 PM -- Mr. Jack Wylie, representing DPA, testified in opposition to House Bill 13-1197. Mr. Wylie discussed the debt collection services performed by CCS, which is under the authority of DPA, and explained the benefits state agencies realize in using these services. He noted that CCS is not intended as a private-sector competitor. Mr. Wylie responded to questions regarding the ability of certain government entities to contract with private-sector debt collectors, and certain tools available to CCS for debt collection not available to the private sector. Discussion ensued regarding the fiscal impact of the bill. Mr. Wylie responded to questions regarding how DPA markets its debt collection services to special districts.

01:53 PM -- Mr. Tom Romola, representing the Associated Collection Agencies of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Romola discussed the establishment of CCS, and objected to the ability of CCS to contract with special districts. Mr. Romola discussed the advantages that CCS has over the private sector, and the surcharge that CCS adds when collecting debts. Mr. Romola compared the quality of services provided by CCS and the private sector. Mr. Romola discussed the percentage of Colorado political subdivisions contracting with CCS, and again spoke against the state competing with the private sector. Mr. Romola responded to questions regarding the quality of service provided by CCS in comparison to the private sector, and his organization's position on legislation that passed in 2006 allowing CCS to contract with special districts.

02:03 PM -- Mr. Michael Horstmann, representing Agency of Credit Control, testified in support of House Bill 13-1197. Mr. Horstmann compared the quality of the services provided by CCS and the private sector, and discussed the competitive advantages that CCS enjoys. He spoke against the public sector competing against the private sector. Mr. Horstmann responded to questions regarding the surcharge levied by CCS on debtors, and the ability of the private sector to charge the surcharge. Mr. Horstmann discussed the amount of money his organization charges for its services, and the number of contracts lost by the private sector to CCS. Mr. Horstmann responded to questions regarding the ability of the private sector to compete with government in the area of debt collection services. Mr. Horstmann responded to questions regarding the databases available to private-sector debt collectors to assist in conducting their business.

02:11 PM -- Mr. Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified in support of House Bill 13-1197. Mr. Gagliardi discussed his organization's opposition to the public sector competing against the private sector, and discussed the competitive advantages enjoyed by government when it competes with the private sector. Mr. Gagliardi discussed solicitation of contracts by CCS, and the disparity in the rules that CCS must observe in comparison with the private sector.

02:15 PM -- Mr. Jeff Busch, representing the Colorado-Wyoming Association of Collection Agencies, testified in support to the bill. Mr. Busch compared debt collection recovery rates of the private sector and CCS, and the unfair playing field faced by private-sector debt collectors when competing with government debt collectors, particularly in the area of cost overhead. Mr. Bush responded to questions regarding the number of contracts that have been lost by the private sector to CCS. Discussion ensued regarding CCS's debt collection practices. Mr. Bush responded to questions regarding the benefits provided by private-sector debt collectors to their clients that CCS does not.

02:25 PM -- Mr. Greg Mechem, representing CCS, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Mechem provided clarification regarding the number of special districts with which CCS has contracted, and the surcharge levied by CCS. Mr. Mechem responded to questions regarding the types of debts collected by CCS, and the ability of special districts to contract with the private sector for debt collection services. Mr. Mechem responded to questions regarding the level of the surcharge levied by CCS. Mr. Mechem provided input regarding legal representation provided to CCS. Discussion returned to the fees charged by CCS.

02:32 PM

No amendments were offered to House Bill 13-1197. Representative Lawrence provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the legislation, and the relative level of fees charged by CCS and the private sector.


BILL:	HB13-1197
TIME:	02:41:29 PM
MOVED:	Dore
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 13-1197 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 3-6.
SECONDED:	Humphrey
		VOTE
	Dore	Yes
	Foote	No
	Humphrey	Yes
	Labuda	No
	Melton	No
	Moreno	Yes
	Nordberg	Excused
	Scott	Excused
	Williams	No
	Salazar	No
	Ryden	No

YES: 3 NO: 6 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	HB13-1197
TIME:	02:42:32 PM
MOVED:	Labuda
MOTION:	Postpone House Bill 13-1197 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 7-2.
SECONDED:	Williams
		VOTE
	Dore	No
	Foote	Yes
	Humphrey	No
	Labuda	Yes
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Nordberg	Excused
	Scott	Excused
	Williams	Yes
	Salazar	Yes
	Ryden	Yes

Final YES: 7 NO: 2 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:43 PM -- House Bill 13-1172

The committee considered House Bill 13-1172, concerning accountability measures to increase parent involvement in the public schools in the elementary and secondary education system.


BILL:	HB13-1172
TIME:	02:44:18 PM
MOVED:	Moreno
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 13-1172 to the Committee on Education. The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.
SECONDED:	Williams
		VOTE
	Dore	Yes
	Foote	Yes
	Humphrey	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Nordberg	Excused
	Scott	Excused
	Williams	Yes
	Salazar	Yes
	Ryden	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:45 PM -- House Bill 13-1198

The committee recessed.

02:48 PM

The committee returned to order. Representatives Coram and McLachlan, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 13-1198, concerning the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. Committee members received a letter of support for the bill from the chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribal Council (Attachment A). Representative Coram discussed the need for the legislation. Discussion ensued regarding prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment B). Representative McLachlan discussed the position of the tribes affected by the bill, and explained the bill's effect. The following persons testified regarding the bill:

13HseState0225AttachA.pdf

13HseState0225AttachB.pdf

02:53 PM -- Mr. Ernest House, Jr., representing the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, testified in support of the bill. Mr. House discussed the work of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, and the increase of the Native American population in Colorado. Mr. House discussed the relationship between the Native American population in Colorado and the state government, and noted the need for the technical changes in the bill. Mr. House responded to questions regarding the Indian tribes recognized in Colorado, and representation of Native Americans who are not members of the recognized tribes by the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. Mr. House clarified the effect of amendment L.001 and discussed its need. Discussion ensued regarding the services provided by the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.

03:04 PM -- Mr. Jose Esquabel, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of House Bill 13-1198. Mr. Esquabel discussed the relationship between state agencies and Colorado's Indian tribes in addressing certain issues, noting some of these issues.

03:07 PM -- Mr. Bob Randall, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Randall explained how the department and the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs work together on certain issues, and discussed the merits of the bill. Mr. Randall mentioned that the Departments of Local Affairs and Human Services also support the bill. Mr. House returned to respond to questions regarding a change in an office title by the bill, and the Governor's appointment powers under amendment L.001.

03:12 PM


BILL:	HB13-1198
TIME:	03:12:43 PM
MOVED:	Salazar
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Melton
		VOTE
	Dore
	Foote
	Humphrey
	Labuda
	Melton
	Moreno
	Nordberg	Excused
	Scott	Excused
	Williams
	Salazar
	Ryden

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:13 PM

Representatives Coram and McLachlan provided closing remarks in support of House Bill 13-1198.


BILL:	HB13-1198
TIME:	03:16:12 PM
MOVED:	Moreno
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 13-1198, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.
SECONDED:	Salazar
		VOTE
	Dore	Yes
	Foote	Yes
	Humphrey	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Nordberg	Excused
	Scott	Excused
	Williams	Yes
	Salazar	Yes
	Ryden	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:17 PM -- House Bill 13-1147

Representative Melton, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 13-1147, concerning a voter registration application provided by state institutions of higher education. Representative Melton confined his remarks to a strike-below amendment, L.001 (Attachment C). Representative Melton discussed voter registration practices at higher education institutions in other states, as well as on certain Colorado campuses, and discussed the fiscal impact of the bill. Representative Melton responded to questions regarding the voter registration process under the bill, and the current voter registration process for those who turn 18 years of age. Representative Melton responded to further questions regarding how the voter registration system created by the bill screens for those who are ineligible to vote. Discussion ensued regarding the fiscal impact of the bill.

13HseState0225AttachC.pdf

03:25 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 13-1147:

03:25 PM -- Ms. Carol Tone, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Tone clarified her organization's position on the bill.

03:26 PM -- Ms. Lisa Ritland, representing the Colorado Public Interest Research Group, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Ritland discussed the importance of participation in the political process, and the potential benefits of the bill in the area of registering students to vote.

03:29 PM -- Feven Natsanet, representing New Era Colorado, testified in support of House Bill 13-1147. Ms. Natsanet discussed the need for college students to update their voter registration information due to frequent relocation, and explained that the bill will increase participation of students in the voting process.

03:31 PM

Representative Melton explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment D).

13HseState0225AttachD.pdf


BILL:	HB13-1147
TIME:	03:32:58 PM
MOVED:	Labuda
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Salazar
		VOTE
	Dore
	Foote
	Humphrey
	Labuda
	Melton
	Moreno
	Nordberg	Excused
	Scott	Excused
	Williams
	Salazar
	Ryden

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB13-1147
TIME:	03:33:20 PM
MOVED:	Labuda
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Salazar
		VOTE
	Dore
	Foote
	Humphrey
	Labuda
	Melton
	Moreno
	Nordberg	Excused
	Scott	Excused
	Williams
	Salazar
	Ryden

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:34 PM

Representative Melton responded to questions regarding a provision in the bill that concerns scheduled maintenance of online registration systems.


BILL:	HB13-1147
TIME:	03:34:08 PM
MOVED:	Melton
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 13-1147, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 8-1.
SECONDED:	Moreno
		VOTE
	Dore	Yes
	Foote	Yes
	Humphrey	No
	Labuda	Yes
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Nordberg	Excused
	Scott	Excused
	Williams	Yes
	Salazar	Yes
	Ryden	Yes

Final YES: 8 NO: 1 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:36 PM

The committee discussed the upcoming committee schedule.

03:37 PM

The committee adjourned.