House Committee on Transportation & Energy (04/23/2014)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Date:	04/23/2014	ATTENDANCE

Time:	02:03 PM to 03:25 PM	Buck	X
		Coram	X
Place:	HCR 0112	Everett	X
		Fischer	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Ginal	X
	Representative Tyler	Kraft-Tharp	*
		Lawrence	X
This Report was prepared by		Lee	X
	Kelli Kelty	Mitsch Bush	X
		Peniston	*
		Scott	X
		Moreno	*
		Tyler	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB14-011 SB14-171 SB14-075		Amended, Referred to Appropriations Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to Appropriations

02:03 PM -- SB14-011

Representative Tyler, chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was present. Representative Hullinghorst, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 14-011. The bill changes the name of the Colorado Renewable Research Authority to the Colorado Energy Research Authority (CERA). The bill creates a new cash fund to support CERA, the continuously appropriated Energy Research Cash Fund (ERCF). Starting July 1, 2014, and on July 1 for the four subsequent fiscal years, the bill requires an annual transfer of $2 million to the ERCF. This amount in its entirety is available as matching funds for the energy-related research of the collaboratory, subject to reduction for Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) administration and other CERA activities. Based on a $2 million annual transfer, up to $100,000 each year is available for other CERA initiatives, and up to $100,000 each year is available for OEDIT administrative costs. The bill defines the Colorado Energy Research Collaboratory as a consortium of three state institutions of higher education—the University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado State University, and the Colorado School of Mines—and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). CERA is required to allocate certain state matching funds for grants that support the collaboratory's energy research activities. The board of CERA is three members appointed by the governor. The OEDIT will provide administrative support for CERA, including receiving CERA's annual report and making a report on CERA's activities to the General Assembly. Representative Hullinghorst discussed the intent of the bill and commented on collaboratory activities. She responded to questions from the committee.

The following person testified on the bill:

02:08 PM -- David Hiller, representing CERA, testified in support of the bill. He commented on the primary goals of the CERA and the importance of the bill. Representative Mitsch Bush asked for information about marketable service products. Representative Ginal asked what industries sponsor the research. Mr. Hiller commented on research sponsored through the collaboratory and said that the largest funding partner to date was Conoco Philips. Representative Kraft-Tharp asked about outcomes in terms of what research has been produced. Mr. Hiller commented on 2012 publications that came out of the collaboratory and related findings and research. Representative Coram asked how much research has been done on vanadium batteries. Representative Lawrence commented on her tour of NREL in 2013 and asked why state funding is necessary if private companies will pay to rent space. Discussion ensued concerning the need for state funding.

02:29 PM

Representative Kraft-Tharp commented on current law related to reporting by CERA and asked if there is an annual report that CERA could share with the committee. Mr. Hiller said that CERA files annual reports each year and that he can provide the committee with last year's report. Representative Scott asked about companies that have come to Colorado because of the work that CERA does. Mr. Hiller commented on Cool Planet Energy Systems, a company that moved here for and because of the collaboratory. Discussion ensued concerning reporting requirements of the CERA to the General Assembly.

140423AttachA.pdf


BILL:	SB14-011
TIME:	02:40:26 PM
MOVED:	Mitsch Bush
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.007 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Peniston
		VOTE
	Buck
	Coram
	Everett
	Fischer
	Ginal
	Kraft-Tharp
	Lawrence
	Lee
	Mitsch Bush
	Peniston
	Scott
	Moreno
	Tyler

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


BILL:	SB14-011
TIME:	02:45:53 PM
MOVED:	Mitsch Bush
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 14-011, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 9-4.
SECONDED:	Peniston
		VOTE
	Buck	No
	Coram	Yes
	Everett	No
	Fischer	Yes
	Ginal	Yes
	Kraft-Tharp	Yes
	Lawrence	No
	Lee	Yes
	Mitsch Bush	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Scott	No
	Moreno	Yes
	Tyler	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:46 PM -- SB14-171

Representative Tyler, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 14-171. Under current law, the Colorado New Energy Improvement District may arrange financing, secured by a lien on affected real estate, for the installation of energy efficiency improvements in residences and commercial buildings. The bill adds water conservation fixtures to the definition of an energy efficiency improvement. Representative Tyler discussed the intent of the bill. Representative Mitsch Bush asked about residential and commercial properties under the bill.

The following persons testified on the bill:

02:50 PM -- Pat Ratliff, representing the Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill. She commented on the nexis between water conservation and energy conservation.

02:51 PM -- Neal Kemkar and Tom Binet, representing the Colorado Energy Office testified on the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment B). Mr. Kemkar said that the CEO is neutral on the bill.

140423AttachB.pdf


BILL:	SB14-171
TIME:	02:53:10 PM
MOVED:	Tyler
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 14-171 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 9-4.
SECONDED:	Lee
		VOTE
	Buck	No
	Coram	Yes
	Everett	No
	Fischer	Yes
	Ginal	Yes
	Kraft-Tharp	Yes
	Lawrence	No
	Lee	Yes
	Mitsch Bush	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Scott	No
	Moreno	Yes
	Tyler	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:54 PM -- SB14-075

The committee took a brief recess.

02:59 PM

The committee came back to order. Representative Sonnenberg, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 14-075. The reengrossed bill exempts members of the United States Armed Forces who are Colorado residents outside of the U.S. for a full year from paying certain motor vehicle registration fees. The bill applies to Class B and C vehicles and authorizes the member to pay specific ownership tax (SOT) of $1. If the owner is deployed for less than one year, the fees and taxes are prorated. If the owner previously paid SOT at the higher rate while deployed, but qualified for the reduced SOT rate, the DOR must credit the owner's account. Owners must sign an affidavit stating that the vehicle will not be operated on a highway during their time of deployment and provide the DOR with evidence of deployment. Representative Sonnenberg discussed the intent of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

03:01 PM -- Mr. Kurt Morrison, representing the Colorado Department of Transportation, responded to questions from the committee concerning late fees for service members.

03:03 PM

Representative Fischer asked about the revised fiscal note. Representative Mitsch Bush asked about the local government impact of the fiscal note. Representative Fischer asked how this bill would work and what steps would be necessary for a service member to apply for renewal of his or her's vehicle registration. Discussion ensued concerning the fiscal impact of the bill and related programming costs.

The following persons testified on the bill:

03:13 PM -- Tom McCurdy, representing the United Veterans Committee, testified in support of the bill.

03:15 PM -- Ryan Parsell, representing the El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office, testified in support of the bill.


BILL:	SB14-075
TIME:	03:23:11 PM
MOVED:	Peniston
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 14-075 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 12-0, with one member excused.
SECONDED:	Lawrence
		VOTE
	Buck	Yes
	Coram	Yes
	Everett	Yes
	Fischer	Yes
	Ginal	Yes
	Kraft-Tharp	Excused
	Lawrence	Yes
	Lee	Yes
	Mitsch Bush	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Scott	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Tyler	Yes

Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:25 PM

The committee adjourned.