Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:02/04/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:10:22 AM to 01:31 PM
Foote
X
Humphrey
X
Place:LSB A
Lontine
X
Neville P.
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Primavera
X
Representative Ryden
Tate
X
Thurlow
X
This Report was prepared by
Tyler
X
Kori Donaldson
Willett
X
Salazar
X
Ryden
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB15-1051
HB15-1076
HB15-1093
HB15-1081		Postponed Indefinitely
Postponed Indefinitely
Postponed Indefinitely
Postponed Indefinitely


10:22 AM -- HB15-1051

Representative Neville, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1051, which expands the authority of the Department of State to oversee all election codes governing municipal and special district elections (local elections). The bill also changes procedures for signature verification in non-coordinated local elections conducted by mail ballot. Representative Neville distributed and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment A) and several letters of support (Attachment B).

15HouseState0204AttachA.pdf15HouseState0204AttachA.pdf 15HouseState0204AttachB.pdf15HouseState0204AttachB.pdf

10:25 AM -- Karen Goldman, representing the City of Aurora, the Colorado Municipal League, and the Colorado Municipal Clerks Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Goldman stated that municipal clerks are not opposed to signature verification and explained that the municipal clerks were not engaged in a stakeholder process when the bill was developed. She responded to a question from the committee and stated her specific concerns about the bill.












10:32 AM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified in support of the bill and amendment L.001. Ms. Staiert responded to questions from the committee about local elections in small special districts and scanner equipment used to sort ballots and verify signatures. In response to a question about on-line voter registration, Ms. Staiert explained that clerks use voter signatures on file with the Department of Revenue to verify ballots. Discussion ensued on the topic of signature verification.


10:47 AM

Discussion continued on the topic of signature verification.

10:50 AM -- Evan Goulding, representing the Special District Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Goulding spoke to the bill's prepared fiscal note and potential costs for special districts if the bill is adopted. He said the bill may restrict some types of elections for special districts. He responded to a question from the committee about the amount of time it takes to verify a signature.

11:00 AM -- Mary Eberle, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Eberle described her involvement in various election integrity organizations. She responded to a question from the committee.

11:07 AM -- Chuck Broerman, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, testified from a neutral position on the bill. Mr. Broerman elaborated on parts of the bill that his office supports and parts that concern him. He responded to a question from the committee about how long it takes to verify a signature. He also addressed a question about verifying signatures.

11:14 AM -- Kerry Ann McHugh, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

11:16 AM -- Carol Beckler, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Beckler described the need for accuracy in election results.

11:18 AM -- Ryan Parsell, representing the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's Office, testified in support of the bill and about signature verification on ballots.

11:22 AM -- Ken Clark, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Clark responded to a question from the committee about spending for elections.





















11:26 AM

Representative Neville discussed amendment L.001 and made closing remarks about the bill.
BILL:HB15-1051
TIME: 11:27:56 AM
MOVED:
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Foote
Humphrey
Lontine
Neville P.
Primavera
Tate
Thurlow
Tyler
Willett
Salazar
Ryden
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



























BILL:HB15-1051
TIME: 11:28:09 AM
MOVED:Neville P.
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1051 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion failed on a vote of 5-6.
SECONDED:Humphrey
VOTE
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
No
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
No
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
No
Willett
Yes
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 5 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

BILL:HB15-1051
TIME: 11:31:31 AM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1051 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 7-4.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
No
Tyler
Yes
Willett
No
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS







11:32 AM -- HB15-1076

Representative Everett, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1076, which prohibits an employer from requiring employee membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment, or from requiring employees to pay dues, fees, or other assessments to a labor organization, charity, or other third party. Standing agreements that violate these prohibitions are made void.

11:39 AM -- Shane Fobes, representing the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Fobes discussed right-to-work laws in other states.

11:41 AM -- Greg Mourad, representing the National Right to Work Committee, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mourad responded to a question from the committee.


11:48 AM

Representative Everett made closing remarks about the bill.
BILL:HB15-1076
TIME: 11:49:02 AM
MOVED:Humphrey
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1076 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 5-6.
SECONDED:Neville P.
VOTE
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
No
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
No
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
No
Willett
Yes
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 5 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL












BILL:HB15-1076
TIME: 11:50:28 AM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1076 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 6-5.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
No
Thurlow
No
Tyler
Yes
Willett
No
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


11:51 AM -- HB15-1093

Representative Dore, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1093, which repeals the prohibition on the sale of new low-efficiency plumbing fixtures enacted pursuant to Senate Bill 14-103. SB 14-103 prohibited the sale of new low-efficiency plumbing fixtures in Colorado as of September 1, 2016, after which time only "watersense-listed" plumbing fixtures can be sold. Representative Dore responded to a question from the committee about the non-consumptive use of sewer water. In response to a comment from the committee, he further clarified the intent of the bill.

12:04 PM -- Chris Piper, representing Denver Water, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Piper discussed the process of drafting the bill and the work that went into the passage of SB 14-103. He spoke about the costs of various plumbing fixtures. He talked extensively about plumbing fixtures, sewage, and septic systems. He responded to questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.

12:28 PM -- Drew Beckwith, representing Western Resource Advocates, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Beckwith expressed his opinion that the bill repeals the good progress made by SB 14-103.

12:31 PM -- Dave Davia, representing the Colorado Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Davia spoke about the important progress made by SB 14-103.

12:33 PM -- Chris Treese, representing the Colorado River Water Conservation District, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Treese expressed his opinion about the importance of SB 14-103.

12:35 PM -- Scott Wills, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Wills expressed his frustration about government regulation of his septic system.






12:37 PM

Representative Dore wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB15-1093
TIME: 12:43:16 PM
MOVED:Neville P.
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1093 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 5-6.
SECONDED:Humphrey
VOTE
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
No
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
No
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
No
Willett
Yes
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 5 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


























BILL:HB15-1093
TIME: 12:44:54 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1093 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 7-4.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
No
Tyler
Yes
Willett
No
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


12:45 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


12:48 PM -- HB15-1081

The committee returned to order.

Representative Ransom, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1081. Under current law, it is unlawful to deny the full and equal use of a place of public accommodation on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or ancestry. An exception is provided in current statute, as a person may restrict admission to individuals of one sex in a place of public accommodation if the restriction has a bona fide relationship to the services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of the place. Places of public accommodation include educational institutions, public transportation, recreational facilities, hospitals, any public building, and any restaurant or business offering goods or services to the public.

This bill provides an additional exception to the public accommodation statute, permitting the restricted admission for sex-segregated locker rooms.












12:51 PM -- Michael Norton, representing the Alliance Defending Freedom, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Norton submitted written testimony and read from his prepared remarks (Attachment C).

15HouseState0204AttachC.pdf15HouseState0204AttachC.pdf

12:56 PM -- Al Stafford, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Stafford expressed his opinion that the bill discriminates against transgendered individuals and would also prohibit young children from entering a locker room with their opposite gender parent. He spoke about his personal experience as a transgendered individual.

01:00 PM -- Kendal Unruh, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Unruh spoke about people who "game the system" to prey on other people in locker rooms. She discussed the importance of boundaries that will stop sexual predators.

01:05 PM -- Patti O'Rourke, representing One Colorado, testified in opposition of the bill. Ms. O'Rourke spoke about her son's experience as a transgendered individual. She expressed her opinion that the bill is discriminatory.

01:09 PM -- Don Stensrud, representing Fairview High School, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Stensrud spoke about his experience as a middle school and high school principal. He reiterated testimony of prior witnesses about the potential for discrimination under the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

01:15 PM -- Jennifer McPherson, representing the Colorado Civil Rights Division of the Department of Regulatory Agencies, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. McPherson spoke about ambiguities in the bill that would make enforcement difficult.

01:19 PM -- Denise Maes, representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Maes commented that there are criminal penalties for sexual assault. She discussed the harassment of transgendered individuals.

01:22 PM -- Dave Montez, representing One Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Montez read a statement from the owner of a fitness club. A copy of the statement was not available for the record.





















01:25 PM

Representative Ransom wrapped up her presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB15-1081
TIME: 01:27:22 PM
MOVED:Humphrey
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1081 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 4-7.
SECONDED:Neville P.
VOTE
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
No
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
No
Tate
No
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
No
Willett
Yes
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 4 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


























BILL:HB15-1081
TIME: 01:30:55 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1081 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 6-5.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
No
Thurlow
No
Tyler
Yes
Willett
No
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


01:31 PM

The committee adjourned.