House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs (02/27/2013)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:	02/27/2013	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:14 AM to 12:13 PM	Dore	E
		Foote	X
Place:	LSB A	Humphrey	X
		Labuda	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Melton	X
	Representative Ryden	Moreno	X
		Nordberg	X
This Report was prepared by		Scott	X
	Bo Pogue	Williams	E
		Salazar	X
		Ryden	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HB13-1139 HB13-1189 HB13-1131		Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole Postponed Indefinitely Postponed Indefinitely

10:14 AM -- House Bill 13-1139

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Rankin, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 13-1139, concerning the repeal of obsolete entities. Representative Rankin explained the effect of the bill, and referenced prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment A). Representative Rankin responded to questions regarding the parties he consulted during the drafting phase of the bill, and objections to the bill he received during this consultation. Representative Rankin responded to further questions regarding the sunset process applicable to boards and commissions.

13HseState0227AttachA.pdf

10:19 AM

No one testified regarding House Bill 13-1139.


BILL:	HB13-1139
TIME:	10:20:07 AM
MOVED:	Scott
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Melton
		VOTE
	Dore	Excused
	Foote
	Humphrey
	Labuda
	Melton
	Moreno
	Nordberg
	Scott
	Williams	Excused
	Salazar
	Ryden

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

10:20 AM

Representative Labuda discussed the legislative sunset review process. Committee members discussed their positions on the bill.


BILL:	HB13-1139
TIME:	10:20:53 AM
MOVED:	Salazar
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 13-1139, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.
SECONDED:	Humphrey
		VOTE
	Dore	Excused
	Foote	Yes
	Humphrey	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Nordberg	Yes
	Scott	Yes
	Williams	Excused
	Salazar	Yes
	Ryden	Yes

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

10:23 AM

The committee recessed.

10:24 AM -- House Bill 13-1189

The committee returned to order. Representative Wright, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 13-1189, concerning a property tax exemption for business personal property that is purchased during the 2014 calendar year. Representative Wright explained the effect of the bill. The following persons testified regarding House Bill 13-1189:

10:26 AM -- Mr. Gabriel Davison, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Davison explained how the tax exemption created by the bill will harm the economy and will carry no beneficial effect. Mr. Davison responded to questions regarding his field of study at the University of Colorado, and how he came up with his analysis. Mr. Davison responded to further questions regarding his interests in the fields of economics and politics.

10:33 AM -- Mr. Mark Radtke, representing the Colorado Municipal League, Colorado Counties Incorporated, and the Special District Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Radtke discussed the loss of revenue that local governments would experience if the bill were to pass, and the reliance of local governments on business personal property taxes. Discussion ensued regarding a potential increase in sales tax revenue due to the bill's passage.

10:38 AM -- Mr. Richard Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in opposition to House Bill 13-1189. Committee members received a table showing the distribution of personal property in Colorado in 2011 (Attachment B). Mr. Orf discussed the potential impact of the bill on the Western Slope. Mr. Orf responded to questions regarding the proper mix of taxes for funding local governments.

13HseState0227AttachB.pdf

10:42 AM -- Mr. Patrick Boyle, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Boyle explained the barriers that the business personal property tax places on economic growth, and discussed how Colorado compares with other states in the area of property taxation. He also discussed the benefits of the bill.

10:45 AM

No amendments were offered to House Bill 13-1189. Representative Wright provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the bill.


BILL:	HB13-1189
TIME:	10:51:10 AM
MOVED:	Scott
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 13-1189 to the Committee on Finance. The motion failed on a vote of 3-6.
SECONDED:	Nordberg
		VOTE
	Dore	Excused
	Foote	No
	Humphrey	Yes
	Labuda	No
	Melton	No
	Moreno	No
	Nordberg	Yes
	Scott	Yes
	Williams	Excused
	Salazar	No
	Ryden	No

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


BILL:	HB13-1189
TIME:	10:52:43 AM
MOVED:	Melton
MOTION:	Postpone House Bill 13-1189 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 6-3.
SECONDED:	Labuda
		VOTE
	Dore	Excused
	Foote	Yes
	Humphrey	No
	Labuda	Yes
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Nordberg	No
	Scott	No
	Williams	Excused
	Salazar	Yes
	Ryden	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 3 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

10:53 AM -- House Bill 13-1131

Representative Saine, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 13-1131, concerning the Prenatal Sex Nondiscrimination Act. Representative Saine explained the need for the bill, and referenced organizations that oppose sex-selection abortions. Representative Saine discussed the merits of women, and the differences between the sexes. Representative Saine discussed the effect of sex-selection abortions in other countries, and cited a study about the use of sex-selection abortions among immigrants to the United States.

11:03 AM

Representative Saine continued to discuss the use of sex-selection abortion practices in the United States, citing statistics of male-female birth ratio. Representative Saine responded to questions regarding the use of sex-selection abortions in Colorado.

11:10 AM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 13-1131:

11:10 AM -- Ms. Lara Reinsch, representing NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill, asserting that the bill is an attempt to limit abortion. Ms. Reinsch spoke against the abridgement of women's rights, and discussed solutions to the issue of sex-selection abortions. Ms. Reinsch responded to questions regarding her organization's position on the specific elements of the bill, and the portion of the bill that NARAL specifically opposes. Ms. Reinsch responded to further questions regarding how the bill could be enforced. Discussion returned to her organization's position on the specific elements of the bill, and engagement with certain cultures to address sex-selection abortions.

11:22 AM

Discussion continued regarding engagement with certain cultures to address sex-selection abortions.

11:23 AM -- Ms. Evy Valencia, representing COLOR, testified in opposition to House Bill 13-1131. Ms. Valencia explained how legislation banning abortion undermines the choices of women and the ability to make decisions about their own lives. Ms. Valencia discussed the benefits of reducing gender inequity and improving women's lives.

11:25 AM -- Mr. Matthew Niedzielski, representing Pikes Peak Citizens for Life, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Niedzielski discussed the negative impacts of sex-selection abortions and the resulting demographic imbalances, and the message sent based on action taken on the bill.

11:29 AM -- Dr. Stephanie Schardt, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Schardt discussed the ratio of male to female births, and the effect of technology allowing determination of a fetus' sex on male-female ratios in certain cultures. Dr. Schardt discussed studies about sex selection and the effects of this practice on society. Dr. Schardt discussed the importance of preventing violence and discrimination against women and girls. Dr. Schardt responded to questions regarding the medical community's position on sex-selection abortions, and the medical community's position on late-term abortions. Dr. Schardt responded to further questions regarding the use of force associated with sex-selection abortions. Dr. Schardt addressed questions raised earlier about the prevalence of sex-selection abortions in Colorado.

11:39 AM -- Ms. Jenny Kraska, representing the Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of House Bill 13-1131. Ms. Kraska discussed the devaluation of females by sex-selection abortions, and the effect of this practice on certain cultures.

11:43 AM -- Mr. Michael J. Norton, representing the Alliance Defending Freedom, testified in support of the bill. Committee members received written copies of Mr. Norton's testimony (Attachment C). Mr. Norton supported earlier testimony, and spoke in opposition to abortion. Mr. Norton discussed the practice of sex-selection abortions in Colorado, and the position of Planned Parenthood on this practice. Mr. Norton discussed the constitutionality of banning sex-selection abortion, and the need to put such a ban in place.

13HseState0227AttachC.pdf

11:47 AM

No amendments were offered to House Bill 13-1131. Representative Saine provided closing remarks in support of the bill.

11:52 AM

The committee recessed.

12:06 PM

The committee returned to order.


BILL:	HB13-1131
TIME:	12:07:00 PM
MOVED:	Nordberg
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 13-1131 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion failed on a vote of 3-6.
SECONDED:	Scott
		VOTE
	Dore	Excused
	Foote	No
	Humphrey	Yes
	Labuda	No
	Melton	No
	Moreno	No
	Nordberg	Yes
	Scott	Yes
	Williams	Excused
	Salazar	No
	Ryden	No

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


BILL:	HB13-1131
TIME:	12:13:03 PM
MOVED:	Melton
MOTION:	Postpone House Bill 13-1131 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 6-3.
SECONDED:	Labuda
		VOTE
	Dore	Excused
	Foote	Yes
	Humphrey	No
	Labuda	Yes
	Melton	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Nordberg	No
	Scott	No
	Williams	Excused
	Salazar	Yes
	Ryden	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 3 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:13 PM

The committee adjourned.