Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:01/26/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:33 PM to 05:27 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
Jessika Shipley
Willett
X
Salazar
X
Ryden
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB15-1005
HB15-1045
HB15-1030
HB15-1031
HB15-1084		Postponed Indefinitely
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to Appropriations
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Postponed Indefinitely


01:33 PM -- House Bill 15-1005

Representative Navarro, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1005. This bill requires the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to promulgate rules that grant free admission to any state park or recreation area for military veterans. The rules may require a veteran to show certain types of military identification for free park admission.

01:36 PM -- Donald Alberts, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Alberts suggested a possible amendment that would offer a discount to veterans, rather than free admission.

01:38 PM -- Steve Rylant, representing the United Veterans Committee (UVC) of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Rylant indicated that the UVC members have not had a chance to vote on the bill, but that he expects them to support it unanimously.

01:40 PM -- Steve Cassin, representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified about the bill. Mr. Cassin raised concerns about the financial impact of the bill. He spoke about the services and discounts currently offered to veterans by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. He provided information about the estimated number of veterans who visit state parks on an annual basis and costs associated with each visitor. Mr. Cassin responded to questions from the committee.









01:51 PM

Representative Navarro wrapped up her presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB15-1005
TIME: 01:52:57 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1005 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Tyler
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


01:53 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


01:54 PM -- House Bill 15-1045

The committee returned to order.

Representative Ryden, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1045. This bill requires the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to grant free admission to any state park or recreation area to military veterans and active duty personnel for a three-day weekend before or after Veterans Day each year.

01:57 PM -- Steve Rylant, representing the UVC of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

01:58 PM -- Frank McCurdy, representing the UVC of Colorado and the American Legion, testified in support of the bill.

01:59 PM -- Steve Cassin, representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Cassin responded to questions from the committee.






02:01 PM

Representative Ryden wrapped up her presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB15-1045
TIME: 02:02:02 PM
MOVED:Ryden
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1045 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 9-2.
SECONDED:Tyler
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


02:03 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


02:11 PM -- House Bill 15-1030

The committee returned to order.

Representative Landgraf, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1030. This bill creates the Employment Services for Veterans Pilot Program (program) in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). The program includes veterans services related to job retention, mediation with employers, mentoring, and career counseling. The program is available for up to 20 veterans who have not been dishonorably discharged.

The CDLE must develop a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit a qualified nonprofit agency to operate the program as a contractor. The CDLE will administer the program and is tasked with evaluating periodic reports from the contractor and communicating the results of its evaluation to the General Assembly's business committees. The bill is repealed as of January 1, 2018.








Representative Landgraf responded to questions from the committee. She distributed amendment L.001 to the committee (Attachment A), which changes the eligibility requirements for the program.

15HouseState0126AttachA.pdf15HouseState0126AttachA.pdf

02:16 PM -- Denise Krug, representing Discover Goodwill, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Krug spoke about the work Goodwill does in Colorado Springs with veterans and job training. She described the job training services that would be available under the bill. She responded to questions from the committee. Discussion ensued.

02:29 PM -- Frank McCurdy, representing the American Legion, testified in support of the bill. Mr. McCurdy spoke about the priorities of the American Legion with regard to job training for veterans. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:34 PM -- Leanne Wheeler, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wheeler expressed concerns about the negative image of veterans who are transitioning to civilian life. She discussed her experience with homelessness and as a small business owner. She suggested an industry partner or partners for the nonprofit agency that is awarded the operation of the pilot program.

02:42 PM -- Steve Rylant, representing the UVC of Colorado, testified in support of the bill without amendment L.001. Mr. Rylant responded to questions from the committee.


02:46 PM

The committee took a brief recess.




























02:51 PM

The committee returned to order.
BILL:HB15-1030
TIME: 02:51:57 PM
MOVED:Willett
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). 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:HB15-1030
TIME: 03:00:54 PM
MOVED:Tyler
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1030 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 8-3.
SECONDED:Salazar
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
No
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


03:00 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


03:06 PM -- House Bill 15-1031

The committee returned to order.

Representative Windholz, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1031. This bill prohibits the use, possession, sale, purchase, transfer, or manufacture of powdered alcohol. A person who violates the prohibition is subject to punishment for a class 2 misdemeanor. The bill exempts hospitals, state institutions, private colleges and universities, and pharmaceutical companies conducting bona fide research as long as they file a notice of possession of powdered alcohol with the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) by September 1, 2015, or 30 days in advance of acquisition. If the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves powdered alcohol and the state establishes a regulatory structure, the prohibition is repealed.

Representative Windholz distributed amendment L.003 (Attachment B). She spoke at length about the potential dangers of powdered alcohol. Amendment L.004 was also distributed to the committee (Attachment C).

15HouseState0126AttachB.pdf15HouseState0126AttachB.pdf 15HouseState0126AttachC.pdf15HouseState0126AttachC.pdf







03:13 PM -- Grier Bailey, representing the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bailey expressed support for a regulatory structure for powdered alcohol. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:17 PM -- Karen Kristopeit-Parker, representing the Colorado Restaurant Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Kristopeit-Parker spoke about her concerns with powdered alcohol and her liability if such alcohol is brought into one of her establishments.

03:22 PM -- Sheriff Doug Darr, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Sheriff Darr discussed the potential public risks of the use of powdered alcohol.

03:23 PM -- Nick Hoover, representing the Colorado Restaurant Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Hoover expressed concerns about the potential concealment of powdered alcohol.

03:25 PM -- Patrick Maroney, representing the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division of the Department of Revenue, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Maroney explained that the current regulatory structure for alcohol cannot cover powdered alcohol products. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:27 PM -- Eliza Schultz, representing DPHE, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Schultz spoke about the DPHE priority of preventing injuries or illness related to substance abuse. She responded to committee questions.

03:29 PM -- Jayne Schindler, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Schindler expressed concerns about the potential dangers to children of powdered alcohol.

03:32 PM -- Brett Moore, representing the Colorado Bar Owners Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Moore reiterated the testimony of prior witnesses.


03:34 PM

Representative Windholz read two e-mails in support of the bill. Amendment L.002 was distributed to the committee (Attachment D).

15HouseState0126AttachD.pdf15HouseState0126AttachD.pdf

03:38 PM -- Christy Chase, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, explained the effects of the various amendments.


03:43 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


03:46 PM

The committee returned to order.




BILL:HB15-1031
TIME: 03:58:04 PM
MOVED:Tate
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Tyler
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
BILL:HB15-1031
TIME: 03:56:26 PM
MOVED:Humphrey
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment B), as amended. The motion failed on a vote of 3-8.
SECONDED:Tate
VOTE
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
No
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
No
Tate
No
Thurlow
No
Tyler
No
Willett
Yes
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 3 NO: 8 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL







BILL:HB15-1031
TIME: 03:49:41 PM
MOVED:Primavera
MOTION:Amend amendment L.003, line 22, after "powdered" add "or crystalline". The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
BILL:HB15-1031
TIME: 04:01:24 PM
MOVED:Ryden
MOTION:Adopt severed section A of amendment L.004 (Attachment C). Severed section A consists of lines 1 and 2. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Foote
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







04:03 PM

Representative Windholz announced that Samuel Mallick supports the bill. She wrapped up her presentation and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB15-1031
TIME: 04:04:28 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1031, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 9-2.
SECONDED:Primavera
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


04:05 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


04:15 PM -- House Bill 15-1084

The committee returned to order.

Representative Tate, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1084. The bill decreases the minimum number of voter service and polling centers (vote centers) required at general elections in large counties. Specifically, the minimum number of vote centers is reduced compared with current law as follows:








The bill does not change the requirement that all counties must operate at least one vote center. The bill also eliminates the requirement that mail ballot envelopes used in local government elections have a flap covering the signature.

Amendments L.001 and L.002 were distributed (Attachments E and F). A summary of El Paso County elections was also distributed (Attachment G).

15HouseState0126AttachE.pdf15HouseState0126AttachE.pdf 15HouseState0126AttachF.pdf15HouseState0126AttachF.pdf 15HouseState0126AttachG.pdf15HouseState0126AttachG.pdf

04:21 PM -- Rebecca Strelitz, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Strelitz expressed support for as much convenience as possible in the voting process.

04:23 PM -- Hillary Hall and Matt Crane, representing the Colorado County Clerks Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Crane discussed issues county clerks have with the process required under current law and indicated that the bill would fix a number of those issues. He stressed that the bill would allow a more efficient process for elections and reduce costs. Ms. Hall distributed some elections data (Attachment H). She discussed the data in detail. She responded to questions from the committee. Mr. Crane weighed in as well.

15HouseState0126AttachH.pdf15HouseState0126AttachH.pdf

04:37 PM -- Lizzy Stephan, representing New Era Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Stephan expressed her opinion that more accessible and convenient elections lead to greater voter turnout, which is good for the democratic process.

04:40 PM -- Suzanne Staiert, representing the Colorado Secretary of State, testified in support of the bill with amendment L.001 or L.002. Ms. Staiert discussed elections data (Attachment I). She responded to questions from the committee about the number of individuals who dropped off their ballots rather than mailing them.

15HouseState0126AttachI.pdf15HouseState0126AttachI.pdf

04:47 PM -- Margit Johansson, representing Coloradans for Voting Integrity, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Johansson spoke about the importance of convenience in voting.

04:52 PM -- Carla Castedo, representing Mi Familia Volta, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Castedo reiterated the testimony of prior witnesses with regard to voting convenience.

04:54 PM -- Carol Tone, representing the League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill without the adoption of the amendments. Ms. Tone expressed her opinion that the changes in the bill are excessive.








04:57 PM -- Denise Maes, representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Maes reiterated the testimony of prior witnesses with regard to the importance of voting convenience.

04:59 PM -- Ellyn Hilliard, representing the Boulder County Republican Party, testified in support of the bill with the adoption of one of the amendments. Ms. Hilliard expressed opposition to the signature verification in municipal elections provision of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

05:03 PM -- Elena Nunez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Nunez reiterated the testimony of prior witnesses with regard to the importance of voting convenience.

05:06 PM -- Chuck Broerman, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Broerman discussed the trend of increased voter turnout. He referenced Attachment G extensively. He indicated that the bill provides plenty of flexibility to county clerks. He discussed the reasons he believes that the bill will not affect voting convenience. He responded to questions from the committee.
BILL:HB15-1084
TIME: 05:17:55 PM
MOVED:Tate
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Humphrey
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

















05:18 PM

Representative Tate wrapped up his presentation and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB15-1084
TIME: 05:26:12 PM
MOVED:Tate
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1084, as amended, 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:HB15-1084
TIME: 05:26:48 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1084 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


05:27 PM

The committee adjourned.