Date: 04/24/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB14-046

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 14-046 to the Committee on ApproPASS


12:52 PM -- SB14-046

Representative Exum came to the table to discuss the fiscal impact of Senate Bill 14-046. He explained that the bill creates a grant program for local fire departments to invest in equipment and training that increases firefighter safety. The grant program is administered by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) in the Department of Public Safety. Following rulemaking, the DFPC makes grant awards to the governing body of a fire department on the basis of need. To assess the need of grant applicants, the DFPC is required to conduct a Colorado Fire Service Needs Assessment at least every other year. In addition, the DFPC must consider criteria and peer-review of applications as recommended by the Fire Service Training and Certification Advisory Board, as well as the local fire department's other efforts to finance equipment and training.

The bill creates the continuously appropriated Local Firefighter Safety and Disease Prevention Fund (the fund). Each year, for two successive fiscal years starting July 1, 2014, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) transfers $3.25 million in federal mineral lease (FML) revenue to the fund. The DFPC is required to make an annual report regarding the use of moneys in the fund and may expend up to three percent of the fund each year for administrative costs, including both direct and indirect costs.


12:57 PM

Representative Exum responded to questions on the source of funding for the program.


01:01 PM

Alex Schatz, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to speak to FML revenues and how they will be appropriated under the bill. He responded to questions on whether the bill focuses funding in areas affected by oil and gas development.


01:01 PM

Kevin Bommer, Deputy Director of the Colorado Municipal League (CML), came to the table for questions. He stated that the CML is in support of the bill and spoke to how the bill is funded. Committee discussion and questioning ensued. Representative Exum responded to questions on whether the funds for the bill will be effective in ensuring firefighter safety and the types of equipment that could be provided under the bill.


01:11 PM

 Bill Clayton, from Colorado Counties, Inc., spoke to the bill and stated that firefighter safety is in need of a source of funding in Colorado.


01:13 PM

 Representative Exum made his closing comments on the bill and the committee discussed its merits.
BILL:SB14-046
TIME: 01:16:41 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 14-046 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 10-3.
SECONDED:Labuda
VOTE
Becker
Yes
DelGrosso
Yes
Foote
Yes
Joshi
No
Kagan
Yes
Melton
Yes
Pabon
Yes
Priola
No
Saine
No
Swalm
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Labuda
Yes
Court
Yes
YES: 10 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS