Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:03/23/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:34 PM to 05:31 PM
Foote
X
Humphrey
X
Place:SupCt
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
Jessika Shipley
Willett
X
Salazar
X
Ryden
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB15-1266
HB15-1110
SJR15-008
HB15-1300
HCR15-1001		Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Postponed Indefinitely
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole


01:35 PM -- HB15-1266

Representative Rankin, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1266. This bill, recommended by the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), makes changes to the process for the submission and consideration of information technology (IT) capital budget requests from state agencies and higher education institutions. Under current law, IT budget requests are not included in the definition of capital construction. Additionally, IT budget requests must be funded from the General Fund rather than the Capital Construction Fund (CCF).

The bill creates a new account within the CCF specifically for appropriations for IT budget requests and establishes a process for the consideration and funding of supplemental IT budget requests that mirrors the existing process for supplemental capital construction and general operating requests. New, amended, or supplemental IT budget requests that are submitted to the Joint Technology Committee (JTC) are required to clearly identify and quantify anticipated administrative and operating efficiencies or program enhancements and service expansion through cost-benefit analyses and return-on-investment calculations.














01:40 PM

Representative Tyler commented on the bill.
BILL:HB15-1266
TIME: 01:42:16 PM
MOVED:Tyler
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1266 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Lontine
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




























01:43 PM -- HB15-1110

Representative Ryden noted that House Bill 15-1110 did not have a sponsor and asked if there were witnesses or amendments. There were none. She asked for a motion on the bill.
BILL:HB15-1110
TIME: 01:44:16 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1110 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


01:45 PM -- Senate Joint Resolution 15-008

Representative Navarro, sponsor, presented Senate Joint Resolution 15-008. The resolution encourages the support of the Colorado Congressional delegation for U.S. Senate Bill 1602, which concerns toxic exposure during war.

01:47 PM -- Ernesto Torres, representing the United Veterans Committee (UVC) and the American GI Forum, Colorado chapter, testified in support of the resolution. Mr. Torres discussed his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. He responded to questions from the committee.

01:50 PM -- Dale Nuanez, representing the UVC and the American GI Forum, Colorado chapter, testified in support of the resolution. Mr. Nuanez spoke about his brother's exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

01:55 PM -- Steve Rylant, representing the UVC, testified in support of the resolution. Mr. Rylant spoke about his exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

01:59 PM -- George Rivera, representing himself, testified in support of the resolution. Mr. Rivera discussed the work he did to get the resolution drafted.







02:01 PM

Representative Navarro wrapped up her presentation of the resolution and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:SJR15-008
TIME: 02:04:17 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Refer Senate Joint Resolution 15-008 to the full House with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Humphrey
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


02:05 PM -- HB15-1300

 The committee took a brief recess.


02:08 PM

The committee returned to order. Representatives Moreno and Melton, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 15-1300. The bill permits a unit of local government to enact laws establishing a minimum wage within its jurisdiction.

02:12 PM -- Patrick Boyle, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Boyle expressed opposition to minimum wage laws in general because they could lead to workers losing their jobs. He discussed the effects of minimum wage laws on small businesses. He responded to questions from the committee.









02:22 PM

Representatives Moreno and Melton also responded to questions from the committee. Mr. Boyle continued to assert his position that the minimum wage is bad for business. Committee discussion ensued.

02:29 PM -- Peter Severson, representing Lutheran Advocacy Ministry of Colorado and Voices for Justice, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Severson spoke about poverty, unjust compensation, and a living wage. He discussed dignity and local control for local communities. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:33 PM -- John Putnam, representing the Episcopal Jubilee Ministries and Voices for Justice, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Putnam distributed a newspaper (Attachment A) containing an article about activism and engagement. He also discussed dignity and a living wage in local communities. He responded to questions from the committee.

Attachment A can be viewed at Legislative Council.

02:40 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Gagliardi reiterated the testimony of Mr. Boyle. He indicated that very few Colorado workers would be affected by the bill because they already make more than the minimum wage. He responded to questions from the committee.


02:49 PM

Discussion continued with Mr. Gagliardi about the negative effects of the minimum wage on small businesses.

02:54 PM -- Aubrey Hasvold, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Hasvold spoke about local control, variable costs of living, and turnover among minimum wage employees. She read information about the effects of minimum wage increases in San Francisco and Santa Fe. She responded to questions from the committee.

02:59 PM -- Sonia Riggs, representing the Colorado Restaurant Association and the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Riggs reiterated the testimony of Mr. Boyle and Mr. Gagliardi. She spoke about level playing fields and consistency. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:09 PM -- George Awuor, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Awuor stated that minimum-wage increases stimulate the economy by increasing consumer spending, without adding to state and federal budget deficits. He indicated that spending by Americans drives 70 percent of the U.S. economy, and increasing demand is key for jump-starting production and rehiring. Finally, he commented that a raise in the minimum wage puts money into the pockets of low-income consumers, who immediately spend it at local businesses. Mr. Awuor responded to questions from the committee.

03:14 PM -- Mark Moses, representing the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI) and the Colorado Restaurant Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Moses addressed questions about the elasticity of prices in the restaurant industry. He spoke about the effect of the minimum wage on restaurant profits across the country. He characterized the effect of the bill on his restaurants as devastating. He responded to questions from the committee.






03:28 PM -- Marrisa Guerrero, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Guerrero spoke about wages in the health care industry and her family's economic situation.

03:31 PM -- Loren Furman, representing CACI, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Furman expressed her opinion that the bill will cause logistical difficulties for businesses, employees, and the state.

03:35 PM -- Azelin Beltran, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Beltran spoke about her experience as an individual who makes minimum wage.

03:37 PM -- Mary Lou Chapman, representing the Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Chapman spoke about the administrative burden caused by multiple taxing districts and minimum wages across the state.

03:39 PM -- Dianne Thiel, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Thiel expressed her opinion that the bill is about justice and democracy. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:43 PM -- Dr. Mary Ann Wilmer, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Wilmer spoke about support for local control of the minimum wage in Boulder County. She addressed questions from the members of the committee.

03:50 PM -- Harry Hempy, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Hempy distributed a written statement (Attachment B) and read his prepared remarks.

15HouseState0323AttachB.pdf15HouseState0323AttachB.pdf

03:54 PM -- Fred Smith, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Smith discussed the cost of living in Boulder County.

03:57 PM -- Chris Smith, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Smith spoke about the spirit of democracy and local control.


03:59 PM

Representatives Melton and Moreno wrapped up their presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.


04:02 PM

The committee took a brief recess.












04:06 PM

The committee returned to order.
BILL:HB15-1300
TIME: 04:12:55 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1300 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 6-5.
SECONDED:Tyler
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


04:13 PM -- HCR15-1001

Representatives Moreno and Melton, co-prime sponsors, presented House Concurrent Resolution 15-1001. The concurrent resolution creates a referred measure that will appear before voters at the November 2016 general election. If passed, the measure would amend the Colorado Constitution to increase the statewide minimum wage from $8.23 to $12.50 by January 1, 2020, by the following annual increments:

Effective January 1, 2021, the bill stipulates that the minimum wage must be increased, rather than adjusted, annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index.












04:18 PM

Representatives Moreno and Melton responded to questions from the committee.

04:27 PM -- Andrew Olson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Olson spoke about living on a minimum wage salary.

04:28 PM -- Patrick Ulibarri, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ulibarri discussed how difficult it is to be a single father on a minimum wage salary. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:31 PM -- Patrick Boyle, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill.

04:32 PM -- Owen Perkins, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Perkins distributed and discussed a binder of statistics about the minimum wage. A copy of the binder was not available for the official record.

04:38 PM -- Sonia Riggs, representing the Colorado Restaurant Association, the Colorado Hotel and Hospitality Association, and the National Federation of Independent Business, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Riggs expressed her opinion that the bill will negatively impact businesses and employment in Colorado. She responded to questions from the committee.

04:46 PM -- Michelle Webster, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Webster distributed and read a prepared statement (Attachment C). She responded to questions from the committee.

15HouseState0323AttachC.pdf15HouseState0323AttachC.pdf

04:54 PM -- Mark Moses, representing the Colorado Restaurant Association and the Colorado Association for Commerce and Industry, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Moses discussed the differences between small businesses and large corporate entities in terms of profits and wages. He responded to questions from the committee.

05:00 PM -- George Awuor, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Awuor read a prepared statement about the immediate and future benefits of raising the minimum wage (Attachment D).

15HouseState0323AttachD.pdf15HouseState0323AttachD.pdf

05:05 PM -- Harry Hempy, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Hempy spoke about injustice, the history of the minimum wage, and what constitutes a living wage. He commented about reasons for amending the state constitution. He expressed his opinion that the majority of Coloradans want to raise the minimum wage.






05:10 PM -- Phil Hayes, representing the Colorado AFL-CIO, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Hayes responded to questions from the committee.


05:21 PM

Representative Moreno wrapped up the presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HCR15-1001
TIME: 05:31:25 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Refer HCR15-1001 to the Committee of the Whole. 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


05:31 PM

The committee adjourned.