Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology (04/22/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR, & TECHNOLOGY

Date:	04/22/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:30 PM to 05:41 PM	Aguilar	*
		Baumgardner	X
Place:	RM 271	Heath	*
		Jahn	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Neville T.	*
	Senator Balmer	Newell	*
		Woods	X
This Report was prepared by		Holbert	X
	Jeanette Chapman	Balmer	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Public Utilities Commission confirmation HB15-1157 HB15-1298 SB15-210 HB15-1063		Refer to the Full Senate Postponed Indefinitely Postponed Indefinitely Amended, Referred to Finance Referred to Finance

01:32 PM -- Public Utilities Commission confirmation

Glenn Vaad, appointee for the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), came to the table. A copy of the appointment letter is Attachment A. His resume and application is available at the State Archives.

150422 AttachA.pdf

Commissioner Vaad introduced himself and discussed his interest in public service and serving on the PUC. He responded to questions from the committee.

01:49 PM

Commissioner Vaad continued to respond to questions from the committee regarding the activities of the Commission.


BILL:	Public Utilities Commission confirmation
TIME:	01:52:57 PM
MOVED:	Holbert
MOTION:	Refer the appointment of Glenn Vaad to the Public Utilities Commission to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a vote of 7-1.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar	Excused
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Heath	No
	Jahn	Yes
	Neville T.	Yes
	Newell	Yes
	Woods	Yes
	Holbert	Yes
	Balmer	Yes

YES: 7 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:54 PM -- HB 15-1157

Senator Heath introduced House Bill 15-1157, concerning a working group for economic development in distressed regions. The bill creates the Economic Development Working Group for highly distressed rural and urban regions of the state. The group will identify regions using the most timely and accurate data available, and make recommendations to the General Assembly on economic development tools to improve the economic vitality of those regions. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment B).

150422 AttachB.pdf

02:01 PM -- Patrick Boyle, Colorado Competitive Council, spoke in support of the bill.

02:05 PM -- Richard Orf, Associated Governments of Northern Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.

02:06 PM

Senator Heath made closing comments on the merits of the bill. He responded to questions raised by the committee.


BILL:	HB15-1157
TIME:	02:09:34 PM
MOVED:	Heath
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1157 to the Committee on Legislative Council. The motion failed on a vote of 4-5.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar	Yes
	Baumgardner	No
	Heath	Yes
	Jahn	Yes
	Neville T.	No
	Newell	Yes
	Woods	No
	Holbert	No
	Balmer	No

YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	HB15-1157
TIME:	03:58:01 PM
MOVED:	Holbert
MOTION:	Postpone House Bill 15-1157 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar
	Baumgardner
	Heath
	Jahn
	Neville T.
	Newell
	Woods
	Holbert
	Balmer

Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:13 PM -- HB 15-1298

Senators Newell and Martinez-Humenik introduced House Bill 15-1298, concerning warning pregnant women of marijuana risks. The bill requires the Department of Revenue to promulgate rules requiring licensed medical marijuana centers and retail marijuana stores to display signs warning pregnant women about the potential risks caused by marijuana. The rules will include specific language developed in consultation with the Department of Public Health and Environment that must be included on the sign. The centers and stores are responsible for the costs of the signs. Finally, the bill prohibits centers and stores from knowingly advertising to pregnant women. Senator Martinez-Humenik distributed amendment L.003 (Attachment C).

150422 AttachC.pdf

02:22 PM -- Stephanie Hopper, Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce (C4) and the Ballpark Holistic Dispensary, spoke in opposition to the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

02:32 PM -- Tyler Henson, C4, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:36 PM -- Ronn Nixon, iComply, LLC, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:48 PM -- Mary Patrick, Drug Policy Alliance, spoke in opposition to the bill.

02:52 PM -- Steve Wright, MD, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:58 PM -- Susan Koontz, Colorado Medical Society, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, spoke in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:00 PM -- Scott Matthews, Colorado March of Dimes, spoke in support of the bill.

03:04 PM -- Jason Warf, Southern Colorado Cannabis Council, did not take a position on the bill.

03:07 PM -- Jim Burack, Marijuana Enforcement Division, Department of Revenue, responded to questions from the committee regarding rule making by the division.

03:17 PM -- Mike Van Dyke, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:24 PM

Senator Martinez-Humenik made closing comments on the merits of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:33 PM

Senator Newell responded to comments from the committee. She made closing comments on the merits of the bill.

03:45 PM

Committee discussion continued regarding the merits of the bill.


BILL:	HB15-1298
TIME:	03:53:55 PM
MOVED:	Newell
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1298 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 4-5.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar	Yes
	Baumgardner	No
	Heath	Yes
	Jahn	No
	Neville T.	No
	Newell	Yes
	Woods	No
	Holbert	No
	Balmer	Yes

YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	HB15-1298
TIME:	03:54:40 PM
MOVED:	Holbert
MOTION:	Postpone House Bill 15-1298 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar
	Baumgardner
	Heath
	Jahn
	Neville T.
	Newell
	Woods
	Holbert
	Balmer

Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 1 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:58 PM -- SB 15-210

Senator Woods introduced Senate Bill 15-210, concerning the Title Insurance Commission. The bill creates the Title Insurance Commission in the Division of Insurance as a type 1 agency for the purposes of:

proposing, advising, and recommending rules, subject to approval by the Commissioner of Insurance, for the implementation and administration of the business of title insurance;
proposing, advising, and recommending bulletins and position statements concerning any title insurance related subject for issuance by the commissioner;
conducting administrative hearings related to the licensing of applicants, the conduct of a title licensee, continuing education program approval, and to advise the commissioner;
recommending disciplinary actions following the investigation of a complaint by the commissioner; and
proposing rules to the commissioner for establishing a licensing examination.

Senator Woods provided Amendments L.002, L.003, L.004, L.005, L.006, and L.007 (Attachments D, E, F, G, H, and I) to the committee.

150422 AttachI.pdf

04:01 PM -- Doug Marion, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.

04:08 PM -- David Schmidt, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.

04:12 PM -- Garry Wolff, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:26 PM -- Margaret Cook, Land Title Association of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.

04:30 PM -- Tim Killcoyne, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:46 PM -- Robert Howe, Title Company of the Rockies, spoke in support of the bill. He addressed questions raised in previous testimony.

04:54 PM -- Richard Jones, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.

04:58 PM -- Diane Evans, Land Title Guarantee Company, spoke in support of the bill.

05:02 PM -- Peg Brown, Deputy Insurance Commissioner, indicated the Division of Insurance supports amendments to the bill but is neutral on the bill itself. She responded to questions from the committee.


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:06:17 PM
MOVED:	Woods
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar
	Baumgardner
	Heath
	Jahn
	Neville T.
	Newell
	Woods
	Holbert
	Balmer

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:09:21 PM
MOVED:	Woods
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar
	Baumgardner
	Heath
	Jahn
	Neville T.
	Newell
	Woods
	Holbert
	Balmer

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:09:54 PM
MOVED:	Woods
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar
	Baumgardner
	Heath
	Jahn
	Neville T.
	Newell
	Woods
	Holbert
	Balmer

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:10:16 PM
MOVED:	Woods
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment G). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar
	Baumgardner
	Heath
	Jahn
	Neville T.
	Newell
	Woods
	Holbert
	Balmer

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:10:34 PM
MOVED:	Woods
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.006 (Attachment H). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar
	Baumgardner
	Heath
	Jahn
	Neville T.
	Newell
	Woods
	Holbert
	Balmer

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:10:52 PM
MOVED:	Woods
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.007 (Attachment I). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar
	Baumgardner
	Heath
	Jahn
	Neville T.
	Newell
	Woods
	Holbert
	Balmer

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

05:13 PM

Senator Health offered amendments L.008 and L.009 (Attachments J and K). Committee discussion ensued.


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:14:46 PM
MOVED:	Heath
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.008 (Attachment J). The motion failed on a vote of 4-5.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar	Yes
	Baumgardner	No
	Heath	Yes
	Jahn	Yes
	Neville T.	No
	Newell	Yes
	Woods	No
	Holbert	No
	Balmer	No

YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

150422 AttachJ.pdf


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:16:21 PM
MOVED:	Heath
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.009 (Attachment K). The motion failed on a vote of 4-5.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar	Yes
	Baumgardner	No
	Heath	Yes
	Jahn	Yes
	Neville T.	No
	Newell	Yes
	Woods	No
	Holbert	No
	Balmer	No

YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

150422 AttachK.pdf


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:19:58 PM
MOVED:	Newell
MOTION:	Adopt conceptual amendment to page 7, line 8. Strike "shall" and substitute "may". The motion failed on a vote of 4-5.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar	Yes
	Baumgardner	No
	Heath	Yes
	Jahn	Yes
	Neville T.	No
	Newell	Yes
	Woods	No
	Holbert	No
	Balmer	No

YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	SB15-210
TIME:	05:22:40 PM
MOVED:	Woods
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 15-210, as amended, to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a vote of 8-1.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar	Yes
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Heath	No
	Jahn	Yes
	Neville T.	Yes
	Newell	Yes
	Woods	Yes
	Holbert	Yes
	Balmer	Yes

Final YES: 8 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

05:23 PM -- HB 15-1063

Senator Balmer introduced House Bill 15-1063, concerning prohibited communications concerning patents. The bill establishes a framework for communications between private parties concerning patent rights. The bill prohibits certain communications, permits certain other communications, and establishes a cause of action for the Attorney General's Office in the Department of Law to enforce the bill.

05:26 PM -- Travis Berry, Colorado Competitive Council, spoke in support of the bill.

05:27 PM -- Jenifer Waller, Colorado Bankers, spoke in support of the bill.

05:30 PM -- Jennifer Anderson, Attorney General's Office, indicated the office is neutral on the bill.

05:31 PM -- Leah Curtsinger, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, spoke in support of the bill.

05:37 PM

Senator Balmer made closing comments on the merits of the bill.


BILL:	HB15-1063
TIME:	05:39:57 PM
MOVED:	Balmer
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1063 to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Aguilar	Yes
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Heath	Yes
	Jahn	Yes
	Neville T.	Yes
	Newell	Yes
	Woods	Yes
	Holbert	Yes
	Balmer	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

05:41 PM

The committee adjourned.