Date: 04/15/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1300

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Postpone House Bill 15-1300 indefinitely using a r
Refer House Bill 15-1300 to the Committee of the W		PASS
FAIL



05:16 PM -- HB15-1300

The committee reconvened.

Senator Merrifield, sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1300 to the committee. The bill permits a unit of local government to enact laws establishing a minimum wage within its jurisdiction.

Senator Merrifield discussed the disadvantages minimum wage workers face. He explained that different local communities have different economies and different economic needs, and he noted that they are forbidden under current law from adjusting the minimum wage accordingly.

Senator Hill and Senator Merrifield discussed the bill's effect on the statewide minimum wage.

05:22 PM -- Phil Hayes, representing Colorado AFL-CIO, testified in support of the bill.

05:23 PM -- Ethel Ayo, representing Fight for Fifteen, testified in support of the bill. She explained that as a health care worker, she cannot afford rent on her current wages.

05:24 PM -- Dexter Hanson, representing Fight for Fifteen, testified in support of the bill. He noted that higher wages return to the community because workers are able to participate in the economy. He stated that the bill would improve the quality of life for workers.


05:28 PM

Mr. Hayes clarified that the bill does not raise the minimum wage, but rather allows communities to choose to raise their own minimum wage.

Senator Sonnenberg clarified the bill's provisions with Mr. Hayes.

Senator Jones and Mr. Hayes discussed the history of the state's minimum wage.

05:35 PM -- Patrick Boyle, representing the Colorado Competitive Council (C3), testified against the bill. He described his organization, and he stated that minimum wages negatively affect labor markets. He explained this position.

Senator Ulibarri and Mr. Boyle discussed the bill and C3's opposition to minimum wages. Senator Scott and Mr. Boyle discussed the recent minimum wage increase in Seattle.

05:46 PM -- Nelson Bock, representing Together Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He explained his belief that human labor is an expression of human dignity. He stated that the current minimum wage does not allow workers to provide for themselves and their families.

Senator Hill and Rev. Bock discussed the bill from a Biblical perspective. Committee discussion continued.

05:56 PM -- Bill Artist, representing the Colorado Restaurant Association, testified against the bill. He responded to previous discussion on the dignity of the worker. He suggested that the bill could put restaurants in certain jurisdictions at a competitive disadvantage. He noted that the state's minimum wage currently rises with inflation.

05:59 PM -- Chris Howes, representing the Colorado Retail Council and the Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association, testified against the bill. He described these organizations' membership, and he expressed his opposition to government wage controls. He explained that the bill could result in resetting the base wages for certain positions statewide.

Senator Ulibarri and Mr. Howes discussed the demographics of minimum wage workers in Colorado.

06:04 PM -- Sarah Freeman, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill. She stated that minimum wage increases in San Francisco and Santa Fe did not negatively affect the local economies.

Senator Hill discussed this testimony with Ms. Freeman. Committee discussion continued regarding local control and an appropriate minimum wage level.

06:14 PM -- Dianna Orf, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified against the bill. She expressed concern that having different minimum wages in different communities could cause problems. She noted that local governments would then have to enforce wage standards, which they do not currently do.

Senator Merrifield responded to this testimony.

06:18 PM -- Aubrey Hasvold, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill. She gave committee members a packet of information on the bill (Attachment D), and she discussed local minimum wage increases in San Francisco and Santa Fe.

15SenateState0415AttachD.pdf15SenateState0415AttachD.pdf

Committee members discussed the bill and its effects with Ms. Hasvold.

06:25 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified against the bill. He responded to previous testimony about the bill's intent. He discussed demographic information about minimum wage workers, and he pointed out specific problems he sees with the bill.


06:32 PM

Senator Merrifield wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.


06:44 PM

Committee discussion continued.
BILL:HB15-1300
TIME: 06:50:51 PM
MOVED:Jones
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1300 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 2-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Hill
No
Jones
Yes
Ulibarri
Yes
Sonnenberg
No
Scott
No
YES: 2 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HB15-1300
TIME: 06:51:33 PM
MOVED:Sonnenberg
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1300 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 on a vote of 3-2.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Hill
Yes
Jones
No
Ulibarri
No
Sonnenberg
Yes
Scott
Yes
Final YES: 3 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



06:51 PM

The committee adjourned.