Date: 03/24/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-065

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment B). The motion p
Refer Senate Bill 15-065, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS



02:14 PM -- SB 15-065

The committee reconvened. Representative Nordberg introduced Senate Bill 15-065. The bill prohibits recipients of public benefits from using electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards at adult-oriented entertainment and licensed marijuana establishments. He explained that the bill is necessary due to change in federal law that requires states to take measures to prevent recipients of public benefits from using EBT cards at gambling establishments, liquor stores, and adult-oriented entertainment establishments. He distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment B).

150324 AttachB.pdf150324 AttachB.pdf

02:19 PM -- Reggie Bicha, Executive Director of the Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill. He explained that automated teller machines (ATMs) are a primary access point for individuals to receive cash-assistance benefits. He noted that most grocery stores have ATMs, and thus, there is no need for EBT recipients to access their benefits at the locations prohibited by the bill. He responded to questions from the committee regarding amendment L.002, how many beneficiaries access their benefits through ATMS at the locations prohibited by the bill, the cost of reprogramming ATMs, and whether fees are charged to public assistance recipients who withdraw funds through ATMs.

02:32 PM -- Shawn Coleman, 36 Solutions, testified in support of the bill. He stated that the financial services industry for marijuana businesses is very fragile and that the bill removes a perception that benefits recipients are using cash assistance to purchase marijuana. He stated that because of the specific nature of the financial services industry for marijuana centers, marijuana centers are not a viable option for cash assistance beneficiaries to access their benefits.

BILL:SB15-065
TIME: 02:35:52 PM
MOVED:Landgraf
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Conti
VOTE
Conti
Danielson
Everett
Ginal
Joshi
Landgraf
Melton
Moreno
Ryden
Sias
Windholz
Singer
Primavera
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



02:37 PM

Representative Nordberg gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. Members of the committee commented on the bill.

BILL:SB15-065
TIME: 02:40:17 PM
MOVED:Landgraf
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-065, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 13-0.
SECONDED:Singer
VOTE
Conti
Yes
Danielson
Yes
Everett
Yes
Ginal
Yes
Joshi
Yes
Landgraf
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Sias
Yes
Windholz
Yes
Singer
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS