Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Date:04/15/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:35 PM to 06:58 PM
Becker K.
*
Conti
X
Place:LSB A
Garnett
X
Kagan
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Priola
X
Representative Court
Roupe
*
Ryden
*
This Report was prepared by
Van Winkle
X
Katie Ruedebusch
Wilson
X
Foote
*
Court
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB15-1089
HB15-1348
SB15-102
SB15-104
HB15-1260
HB15-1238
HB15-1250
HB15-1257		Referred to Transportation & Energy
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Referred to Appropriations
Referred to the Committee of the Whole


01:36 PM -- HB15-1089

Representative Court, chair, called the meeting to order. Representative Primavera, sponsor, requested that House Bill 15-1089 be referred back to the House Committee on Transportation and Energy.




















BILL:HB15-1089
TIME: 01:37:05 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1089 to the Committee on Transportation & Energy. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0.
SECONDED:Conti
VOTE
Becker K.
Absent
Conti
Yes
Garnett
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Priola
Yes
Roupe
Absent
Ryden
Absent
Van Winkle
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Foote
Absent
Court
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 4 FINAL ACTION: PASS


01:38 PM -- HB15-1348

Speaker Hullinghorst, co-prime sponsor, introduced House Bill 15-1348. The bill creates new requirements for urban renewal authorities (URAs) in Colorado. The changes affect:

• the governance of urban renewal authorities;
• procedures municipalities must follow prior to the adoption or modification of urban renewal plans, including required negotiations relating to urban renewal plans with tax increment financing (TIF) provisions;
• the allocation of funds when municipalities and affected local taxing entities fail to reach agreement on the share of TIF revenue to be allocated to each, specifically limiting an urban renewal authority's TIF
allocations from property taxes in this situation to the same percentage allocated from municipal sales tax; and
• the distribution of excess funds at the conclusion of an urban renewal project.

Speaker Hullinghorst noted that she strongly supports URAs in Colorado, but she believes Colorado needs to increase the fairness of urban renewal. She stated that the bill would potentially decrease school finance backfill by the state. In response to a committee question, she noted that URAs can only occur under municipalities.














01:39 PM

Representative Lawrence, co-prime sponsor, spoke to the bill. She discussed TIFs, URAs, and municipal and county finances. She highlighted specific provisions of the bill. She noted that the bill strives to balance urban renewal and taxpayer fairness.

02:06 PM -- Commissioner Steve Johnson, representing Larimer County, testified in support of the bill. He noted that county governments support URA projects. He discussed the importance of the bill to county governments.

02:09 PM -- Mr. Corbin Sakdol, representing the Colorado Assessor's Association, testified in support of the bill.

02:14 PM -- Mr. Charles Ward, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill. He stated that the bill will have a chilling effect on URA projects in Colorado.

02:18 PM -- Commissioner Nancy Sharpe, representing Arapahoe County, testified in support of the bill. She discussed a recent election in Littleton and its potential impact on URA projects in Arapahoe County. She noted that as a former mayor of Greenwood Village, she supports the bill.

02:23 PM -- Mr. Steve Smithers, representing the City of Westminster, testified in opposition to the bill.

02:30 PM -- Chief Bob Baker, representing the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the three URAs in the South Metro area and noted their impact on special districts budgets.

02:34 PM -- Mr. Evan Goulding, representing the Special District Association, testified in support of the bill. He noted that this bill addresses the concerns of special districts and discussed bond issues in Colorado.

02:39 PM -- Mr. Joshua Rivero, representing the Town of Parker, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed Parker's use of TIFs.

02:47 PM -- Commissioner Cindy Domenico, representing Boulder County, testified in support of the bill. She noted the bill encourages dialogue and communication between local governments. In response to committee questions, she discussed mill levies.

02:54 PM -- Mr. Jim Rees, representing the Colorado Springs URA and Littleton URA, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed the urban renewal process.

02:57 PM -- Commissioner Sally Clark, representing El Paso County, testified in support of the bill. She noted that counties need a seat at the table.

03:02 PM -- Mr. Grant Nelson, representing the International Council of Shopping Centers, testified in opposition to the bill. He believes that before changing statute, the issue needs more study.









03:09 PM -- Ms. Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, testified in support the bill. She noted that school districts would like a seat at the table on urban renewal projects.

03:11 PM -- Ms. Anne Ricker, representing Ricker Cunningham, testified in opposition to the bill. She distributed a handout (Attachment A) and discussed URAs and the bond market.

15HouseFinance0415AttachA.pdf15HouseFinance0415AttachA.pdf

03:22 PM -- Mr. Travis Berry, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed the projects that TIFs make possible.

03:26 PM -- Mr. Robert Bowen, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed his experiences with urban development.

03:33 PM -- Ms. Erin Goff, representing the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Town of Parker, and the City of Commerce City, testified in opposition to the bill. She discussed how the bill creates uncertainty in the revenue stream.

03:39 PM -- Ms. Linda Hoffmann, representing Larimer County, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the URA projects in Larimer County.

03:43 PM -- Ms. JoAnn Groff, representing the Colorado Division of Property Taxation, came to the table to answer questions regarding TIFs and URAs. Committee discussion ensued.

03:57 PM -- Mr. Larry Hoyt, representing the Boulder County Commissioners, testified in support of bill. He addressed previous committee questions and answered questions regarding bond financing.

























BILL:HB15-1348
TIME: 04:12:53 PM
MOVED:Kagan
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1348 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 8-3.
SECONDED:Roupe
VOTE
Becker K.
Yes
Conti
Yes
Garnett
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Priola
No
Roupe
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Van Winkle
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Foote
No
Court
No
Final YES: 8 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

































04:15 PM -- SB15-102

Representative Lee, sponsor, introduced Senate Bill 15-102. The bill implements the recommendation from the 2014 sunset review for the Securities Board conducted by the Department of Regulatory Agencies to continue the board from July 1, 2015, until September 1, 2026, following a sunset review.
BILL:SB15-102
TIME: 04:16:32 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-102 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Garnett
VOTE
Becker K.
Yes
Conti
Yes
Garnett
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Priola
Yes
Roupe
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Van Winkle
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Foote
Yes
Court
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


04:17 PM -- SB15-104

Representative Lee, sponsor, introduced Senate Bill 15-104. The bill implements the recommendations from the 2014 sunset review for the Division of Securities conducted by the Department of Regulatory Agencies. The recommendations include:

• continuing the Division of Securities from July 1, 2015, until September 1, 2026, following a sunset
review;
• repealing the $25 license fee cap for sales representatives and investment advisor representatives; and
• making technical changes to conform with federal law, current practices, conventions, and technology.












BILL:SB15-104
TIME: 04:20:44 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-104 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 10-1.
SECONDED:Conti
VOTE
Becker K.
Yes
Conti
Yes
Garnett
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Priola
Yes
Roupe
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Van Winkle
No
Wilson
Yes
Foote
Yes
Court
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


04:22 PM -- HB15-1260

Representative Lee, sponsor, introduced House Bill 15-1260. Witness testimony was previously heard on April 1, 2015. Representative Lee distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment B) and a fiscal memorandum (Attachment C). He discussed that amendment L.002 keeps the current tax deduction, but raises the amount of deduction taxpayers may claim.

15HouseFinance0415AttachB.pdf15HouseFinance0415AttachB.pdf 15HouseFinance0415AttachC.pdf15HouseFinance0415AttachC.pdf
BILL:HB15-1260
TIME: 04:27:08 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Becker K.
Conti
Garnett
Kagan
Priola
Roupe
Ryden
Van Winkle
Wilson
Foote
Court
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

BILL:HB15-1260
TIME: 04:33:24 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1260, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 10-1.
SECONDED:Priola
VOTE
Becker K.
Yes
Conti
Yes
Garnett
No
Kagan
Yes
Priola
Yes
Roupe
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Van Winkle
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Foote
Yes
Court
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS







04:34 PM -- HB15-1238

Representative Buck, sponsor, introduced House Bill 15-1238. The bill creates a state income tax credit for a physician volunteer, also known as a preceptor, who provides personal instruction, training, and supervision to a graduate medical student enrolled in a Colorado higher education institution. To qualify, the preceptorship must be undertaken in a health shortage area, as designated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Representative Buck distributed amendment L.004 (Attachment D), amendment L.005 (Attachment E), amendment L.006 (Attachment F), and an updated fiscal note table (Attachment G). She responded to questions from the committee regarding the fiscal impact of the bill on the state.

15HouseFinance0415AttachD.pdf15HouseFinance0415AttachD.pdf 15HouseFinance0415AttachE.pdf15HouseFinance0415AttachE.pdf

15HouseFinance0415AttachF.pdf15HouseFinance0415AttachF.pdf 15HouseFinance0415AttachG.pdf15HouseFinance0415AttachG.pdf


04:42 PM -- Ms. Frances Butler, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She responded to questions from the committee regarding rural health care.
BILL:HB15-1238
TIME: 04:47:08 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Conti
VOTE
Becker K.
Conti
Garnett
Kagan
Priola
Roupe
Ryden
Van Winkle
Wilson
Foote
Court
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection









BILL:HB15-1238
TIME: 04:48:59 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Priola
VOTE
Becker K.
Conti
Garnett
Kagan
Priola
Roupe
Ryden
Van Winkle
Wilson
Foote
Court
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

BILL:HB15-1238
TIME: 04:50:58 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.006 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Garnett
VOTE
Becker K.
Conti
Garnett
Kagan
Priola
Roupe
Ryden
Van Winkle
Wilson
Foote
Court
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection






BILL:HB15-1238
TIME: 04:55:25 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1238, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Conti
VOTE
Becker K.
Yes
Conti
Yes
Garnett
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Priola
Yes
Roupe
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Van Winkle
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Foote
Yes
Court
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


05:00 PM -- HB15-1250

Representative Tyler, sponsor, introduced House Bill 15-1250. The bill declares that certain objectives, other than minimizing short-term economic costs, deserve to be considered in establishing rates and policies of investor-owned public utilities. Accordingly, the bill directs the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to initiate an investigatory proceeding to explore and recommend alternatives for improved utility business and revenue models to align utility earnings with specified public policy objectives. The bill requires the PUC to conclude its investigation by August 1, 2016, and report its findings to the General Assembly and the Governor's Office by October 1, 2016. Representative Tyler discussed the long-term policy behind the bill, along with addressing the fiscal implications of the bill.


05:09 PM

Committee discussion ensued regarding public utilities.

05:18 PM -- Ms. Karey Christ-Janer, representing herself, testified in opposition of bill. She discussed energy investments in Colorado.

05:28 PM -- Mr. Doug Dean, representing the PUC, came to the table to answer committee questions. He discussed the specifics of the bill, the PUC's funding, and investor-owned public utilities. He noted the PUC's current lack of funding.







BILL:HB15-1250
TIME: 05:45:40 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1250 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 6-5.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Becker K.
Yes
Conti
No
Garnett
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Priola
No
Roupe
No
Ryden
Yes
Van Winkle
No
Wilson
No
Foote
Yes
Court
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


05:46 PM -- HB15-1257

House Bill 15-1257 eliminates the prohibition on local governments that levy fees on selling cigarettes from receiving a portion of the state cigarette tax. This would allow local governments to register and license cigarette retailers.

05:47 PM -- Mr. RJ Ours, representing the American Cancer Society, testified in support of the bill. He spoke about the state's medical cost burden due to tobacco use.

05:52 PM -- Ms. Jodi Radke, representing the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the state's fiscal burden related to cigarettes. She noted that this bill is aimed at keeping more minors from smoking and ensuring greater compliance among retailers.

05:57 PM -- Mr. Gabriel Kaplan, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill.

06:02 PM -- Mr. Grier Bailey, representing the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, testified in opposition to the bill. He discussed current tobacco licensure and taxation. He noted that uniform, statewide compliance is a better system for retailers who sell cigarettes.


06:16 PM

Committee discussion ensued.






06:22 PM

Representative Priola, co-prime sponsor, spoke to the bill. He discussed tobacco licensure and local control.


06:25 PM

Representative Becker, co-prime sponsor, spoke to the bill. She discussed the merits of the bill relating to the state's fiscal policy.


06:34 PM

Committee discussion ensued regarding local control, enforcement, and registration.
BILL:HB15-1257
TIME: 06:52:30 PM
MOVED:Priola
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1257 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 10-1.
SECONDED:Becker K.
VOTE
Becker K.
Yes
Conti
Yes
Garnett
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Priola
Yes
Roupe
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Van Winkle
No
Wilson
Yes
Foote
Yes
Court
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


06:58 PM

The committee adjourned.