Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:02/17/2014
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:37 PM to 04:44 PM
Conti
X
Dore
X
Place:LSB A
Foote
X
Humphrey
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Labuda
X
Representative Ryden
Melton
X
Moreno
X
This Report was prepared by
Nordberg
X
Jessika Shipley
Williams
X
Salazar
X
Ryden
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB14-1224
HB14-1205
HB14-1189
HB14-1063		Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to Appropriations
Postponed Indefinitely
Postponed Indefinitely


01:37 PM -- HB14-1224

Representative Gardner, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 14-1224 concerning service-disabled veteran owned small businesses. The bill creates a goal in the state procurement code for service-disabled veteran owned (SDVO) small businesses. Each state agency is encouraged to award at least 3 percent of the value of its contracts to SDVO small businesses. To achieve the goal, a state agency may grant a preference, either by evaluation or by allowing a set-aside. Prior to awarding a contract, a state agency is to require the bidder to submit proof from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that it qualifies as a SDVO small business.

On or before September 30, 2015, and each year thereafter, the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) is required to submit a report to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committees of the General Assembly regarding the state's progress in meeting the procurement goal.

Representative Gardner distributed and discussed amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments A and B). He responded to questions from the committee.

14HseState0217AttachA.pdf14HseState0217AttachA.pdf 14HseState0217AttachB.pdf14HseState0217AttachB.pdf











01:51 PM -- Steve Rylant, representing the United Veterans Committee (UVC) of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Rylant explained the mission of the UVC and discussed how the UVC determines whether to support a bill. He stated that the bill provides a tool for service-disabled veterans in reestablishing their lives after serving their country. He responded to questions from the committee.

01:55 PM -- Marshall Worthey, representing Terra Incognita, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Worthey spoke about the value 16,000 service-disabled veterans in Colorado can add to the state economy. He discussed their skills and experience and how those things will benefit Colorado.

01:58 PM -- David Hollenbach, representing DSoft Technologies, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Hollenbach indicated that this type of legislation was implemented at the federal level beginning 15 years ago. He spoke about other preference categories in federal procurement. He expressed his opinion that the bill will help level the playing field in Colorado for SDVO small businesses and help veterans reconstruct and restart their lives. He talked about the unique skills and experience veterans bring to small businesses. He raised the issue of enforcement and recommended that the preference become a requirement after two or three years. Mr. Hollenbach responded to questions from the committee.


02:10 PM

Mr. Hollenbach, Representative Gardner, and the committee continued to discuss the bill.
BILL:HB14-1224
TIME: 02:19:51 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Dore
VOTE
Conti
Dore
Foote
Humphrey
Labuda
Melton
Moreno
Nordberg
Williams
Salazar
Ryden
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection









BILL:HB14-1224
TIME: 02:19:34 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Moreno
VOTE
Conti
Dore
Foote
Humphrey
Labuda
Melton
Moreno
Nordberg
Williams
Salazar
Ryden
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

































02:21 PM

Representative Gardner wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB14-1224
TIME: 02:23:05 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1224, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 10-1.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Dore
Yes
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Labuda
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Nordberg
Yes
Williams
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


02:24 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


02:27 PM -- HB14-1205

The committee returned to order. Representative Ryden, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 14-1205 concerning the Veterans Assistance Grant Program. The bill creates the Veterans Assistance Grant Program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The program will provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies providing services to improve the health and well-being of veterans in the state. On or before September 1, 2014, the Adjutant General, in consultation with the Board of Veterans Affairs, will adopt rules to administer the program. The bill also creates the Veterans Grant Program Cash Fund, which may receive gifts, grants, and donations, in addition to annual appropriations from the General Assembly. All excess funds will remain in the cash fund at the end of each fiscal year. The program and cash fund are repealed on September 1, 2024.










Representative Ryden expressed concern about the fiscal note and distributed a document from the Joint Budget Committee Staff budget briefing for FY 2014-15 (Attachment C). She announced her intention to take testimony on the bill and lay it over for action to give her time to work on an amendment regarding the fiscal impact.

14HseState0217AttachC.pdf14HseState0217AttachC.pdf

02:31 PM -- James Bobick, representing the United Veterans Committee (UVC), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bobick spoke about the current process of awarding Veterans Assistance Grants. He talked about vetting grant applicants. He commented that the federal government does not come close to taking care of all veterans and asked for the state's assistance. He indicated that Veterans Assistance Grants are used to fill gaps left by Tobacco Settlement Funds.

02:37 PM -- Frank McCurdy, representing the American Legion, testified in support of the bill. Mr. McCurdy discussed the support services provided to veterans and their families by the American Legion.

02:40 PM -- Steve Rylant, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Rylant spoke about the services the VFW provides to veterans and their families. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:44 PM -- Michael Hunt, representing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, testified in support of the bill.
































02:47 PM

Representative Ryden wrapped up her presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation. She indicated that she would move the bill to the Appropriations Committee instead of laying it over.
BILL:HB14-1205
TIME: 02:50:26 PM
MOVED:Ryden
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1205 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 10-1.
SECONDED:Moreno
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Dore
Yes
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Labuda
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Nordberg
Yes
Williams
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


02:51 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


02:52 PM -- HB14-1189

The committee returned to order. Representative Sonnenberg, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 14-1189 concerning the availability of plumbing services at reasonable costs in rural Colorado. The bill exempts business and residential plumbing work in counties with a population of less than 30,000 from state license, registration, and permit requirements. County population for the exemption is measured according to the most recent census figures available. The permit exemption in the bill applies to both permits for new plumbing projects and for plumbing inspections. Representative Sonnenberg responded to questions from the committee.












03:04 PM -- Ramon Ornelas, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Ornelas spoke about the requirements to become a journeyman or master plumber in Colorado. He stated that improper plumbing installation or repair presents a public health hazard. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:18 PM -- Greg Wheeler, representing the Colorado chapter of the International Code Council, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Wheeler stressed that all plumbing work needs to be permitted and inspected in order to maintain critical public safety needs. He expressed his opinion that the bill will allow work to go unpermitted and uninspected. He also raised a concern that the bill might void certain intergovernmental agreements. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:22 PM -- John Stewart, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Stewart is a contractor in Burlington, and he talked about the difficulty he faces in finding licensed plumbers to do work on his jobs. He asked for the ability to do some plumbing work himself with the expectation that such work would always be inspected. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:38 PM -- Dino Ioannides, representing the Department of Regulatory Agencies, came to the table to answer questions on the bill. Mr. Ioannides stated that, as drafted, the bill would eliminate the need for an inspection of plumbing work in rural areas. He discussed the link between permits and inspections.


03:42 PM

The committee discussed possible amendments to the bill. Representative Sonnenberg wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB14-1189
TIME: 03:47:09 PM
MOVED:Nordberg
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1189 to the Committee on Finance. The motion failed on a vote of 4-7.
SECONDED:Humphrey
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Dore
Yes
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Labuda
No
Melton
No
Moreno
No
Nordberg
Yes
Williams
No
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 4 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL





BILL:HB14-1189
TIME: 03:53:28 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 14-1189 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 7-4.
SECONDED:Melton
VOTE
Conti
No
Dore
No
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Labuda
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Nordberg
No
Williams
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


03:54 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


03:56 PM -- HB14-1063

The committee returned to order. Representative Ryden announced that the testimony phase of the bill began on February 5, but the committee ran out of time. Only individuals who signed up at that time would be allowed to testify.

03:58 PM -- Lora Thomas, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Thomas told a story about her grandparents' business.

04:00 PM -- Elieen McCarron, representing Colorado Ceasefire, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. McCarron stated that businesses are not the same as a person's home. She expressed her opinion that the bill allows too much latitude to business owners who feel threatened. She commented about similar Florida laws, "stand your ground" laws, and the castle doctrine.














04:03 PM -- Robert Edmiston, representing the Firearms Coalition of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Edmiston distributed information about gun control research (Attachment D). He stated that the County Sheriffs of Colorado also support the bill. He discussed the research outlined in Attachment D.

14HseState0217AttachD.pdf14HseState0217AttachD.pdf

04:07 PM -- Jean Grattet, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Grattet expressed her opinion that the standard for using deadly force under the bill is far too low. She stated that the bill encourages business owners to shoot first and ask questions later. She responded to questions from the committee.

04:12 PM -- Joe Neville, representing Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Neville stated that the current "make my day" law is not being abused and should be expanded to provide protections for business owners.

04:15 PM -- Tina Francone, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Francone spoke about the small business she owns, and discussed the safety of herself and employees in the workplace. She expressed her opinion that limiting her access to or use of a firearm to defend herself or her family is discriminatory. She talked about criminal behavior.

04:19 PM -- Michael McGuire, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. McGuire reiterated the testimony of Ms. McCarron and Ms. Grattet about the danger of stand your ground laws. He provided a research report on the castle doctrine. (Attachment E)

14HseState0217AttachE.pdf14HseState0217AttachE.pdf

04:24 PM -- Susan Kochevar, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Kochevar spoke about the importance of allowing individuals to defend themselves, calling it a moral right. She stressed that the bill is simply about protecting those moral rights.

04:26 PM -- Mary Parker, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Parker reiterated testimony from prior witnesses about the bill being overbroad.


















04:30 PM

Representative Everett wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation. Members of the committee commented about their positions on the bill.
BILL:HB14-1063
TIME: 04:40:10 PM
MOVED:Nordberg
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1063 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 4-7.
SECONDED:Humphrey
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Dore
Yes
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Labuda
No
Melton
No
Moreno
No
Nordberg
Yes
Williams
No
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 4 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
























BILL:HB14-1063
TIME: 04:43:41 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 14-1063 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 7-4.
SECONDED:Williams
VOTE
Conti
No
Dore
No
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Labuda
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Nordberg
No
Williams
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


04:44 PM

The committee adjourned.