Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR, ECONOMIC, & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Date:01/30/2014
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:34 PM to 03:15 PM
Exum
X
Hamner
X
Place:LSB A
Holbert
X
Navarro
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Nordberg
X
Representative Williams
Rosenthal
X
Ryden
X
This Report was prepared by
Szabo
X
Erin Vanderberg
Wright
X
Kraft-Tharp
X
Williams
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB14-1040
HB14-1146		Amended, Referred to Judiciary
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:34 PM -- House Bill 14-1040

Representative Williams, chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was present. Representative McNulty, sponsor, presented House Bill 14-1040, concerning criminal provisions related to drug testing. The bill establishes new criminal offenses related to drug testing. The sponsor responded to questions from the committee and distributed two amendments, Amendment L.002 (Attachment A) and Amendment L.003 (Attachment B).

140130 AttachA.pdf140130 AttachA.pdf140130 AttachB.pdf140130 AttachB.pdf

01:46 PM -- Vicky Shields, representing the Colorado Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Shields discussed the demands of mechanical and plumbing work, and the importance that these employees conduct their work without being under the influence of any drugs or alcohol at the work site. She stated that since the state legalized medical marijuana, there has been a slight increase in marijuana-positive urine tests in her industry, as well as a slight increase in adulterated urine samples. The witness responded to questions from the committee about urine samples, company policies and protocols for prescription and non-prescription drug use, and specific drug screening statistics.

01:58 PM -- Rick Ruebelt, representing the Associated General Contractors of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ruebelt discussed the safety issues that drugs pose to the construction industry, particularly in the age of legal marijuana. The witness responded to questions from the committee about the impact of the bill's criminal provisions on employees, specific drug test statistics in the construction industry, and the impact this legislation will have on the industry. The sponsor and witness responded to a question about the real-life impact of the bill. The witness continued to respond to questions from the committee on drug related accidents at construction sites.


02:14 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Gagliardi stated that the bill was a good safety measure for employees and the public.

02:16 PM -- Phil Hayes, representing the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), testified neutrally of the bill. Mr. Hayes stated that his organization was against the criminal provisions for an employee who defrauds a drug test, but is neutral on the bill as amended.

02:18 PM

Representative McNulty discussed Amendment L.002 and Amendment L.003. Together, the amendments removed the criminal provisions for an employee who defrauds a drug test.
BILL:HB14-1040
TIME: 02:20:12 PM
MOVED:Holbert
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Kraft-Tharp
VOTE
Exum
Hamner
Holbert
Navarro
Nordberg
Rosenthal
Ryden
Szabo
Wright
Kraft-Tharp
Williams
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB14-1040
TIME: 02:21:14 PM
MOVED:Kraft-Tharp
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.003. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Holbert
VOTE
Exum
Hamner
Holbert
Navarro
Nordberg
Rosenthal
Ryden
Szabo
Wright
Kraft-Tharp
Williams
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

02:21 PM

Representative McNulty delivered closing comments on the bill.
BILL:HB14-1040
TIME: 02:22:10 PM
MOVED:Holbert
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1040, as amended, to the Committee on Judiciary. The motion passed on a vote of 10-1.
SECONDED:Nordberg
VOTE
Exum
Yes
Hamner
Yes
Holbert
Yes
Navarro
Yes
Nordberg
Yes
Rosenthal
No
Ryden
Yes
Szabo
Yes
Wright
Yes
Kraft-Tharp
Yes
Williams
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




02:23 PM -- House Bill 14-1146

Representative Becker, sponsor, presented House Bill 14-1146, concerning the prohibition of greyhound racing in Colorado. Under current law, greyhound racing is permitted in Colorado. This bill prohibits greyhound racing, but maintains the practice of parimutuel wagering on greyhound races held at live race tracks in other states and simultaneously broadcast at certain horse race tracks in Colorado. Representative Becker responded to questions from the committee. She stated that no jobs would be affected by this bill. She distributed two amendments to the committee, Amendment L.001 (Attachment C) and Amendment L.002 (Attachment D).

140130 AttachC.pdf140130 AttachC.pdf140130 AttachD.pdf140130 AttachD.pdf

02:33 PM -- Danny Williams, representing Mile High Racing and Entertainment - Arapahoe Park, testified in support of the bill as amended. Mr. Williams discussed the legislative history of greyhound racing.

02:45 PM -- Melvin Johnson, representing himself, testified against the bill. As a greyhound breeder, he stated that it was important that the state not ban greyhound racing. He responded to questions from the committee on how this bill would impact his business.

02:58 PM -- James Flanagan, representing the Grey2K USA Worldwide, testified in support of the bill. He distributed a handout on his presentation (Attachment E). He stated that a ban on greyhound racing was a move supported by his and other animal welfare organizations. He discussed the state's history of greyhound racing, and highlighted the injuries to greyhounds throughout the years. He stated that the bill brings the state statutes in line with the reality of no dog racing in the state, and that it has no effect on breeding laws.

140130 AttachE.pdf140130 AttachE.pdf

03:03 PM -- David Reitz, representing the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association, testified in support of the bill as amended. Mr. Reitz responded to questions from the committee.

03:05 PM -- Deborah Foote, representing the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Foote distributed a written version of her testimony to the committee (Attachment F), and responded to questions from the committee.

140130 AttachF.pdf140130 AttachF.pdf


03:09 PM

Representative Becker discussed Amendment L.001 and Amendment L.002.
BILL:HB14-1146
TIME: 03:11:26 PM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Kraft-Tharp
VOTE
Exum
Hamner
Holbert
Navarro
Nordberg
Rosenthal
Ryden
Szabo
Wright
Kraft-Tharp
Williams
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB14-1146
TIME: 03:12:16 PM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Hamner
VOTE
Exum
Hamner
Holbert
Navarro
Nordberg
Rosenthal
Ryden
Szabo
Wright
Kraft-Tharp
Williams
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



03:13 PM

Representative Becker made closing comments.
BILL:HB14-1146
TIME: 03:14:27 PM
MOVED:Kraft-Tharp
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1146, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 8-3.
SECONDED:Rosenthal
VOTE
Exum
Yes
Hamner
Yes
Holbert
No
Navarro
Yes
Nordberg
No
Rosenthal
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Szabo
No
Wright
Yes
Kraft-Tharp
Yes
Williams
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:15 PM

The committee adjourned.