Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Date:03/17/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:31 PM to 02:17 PM
Arndt
*
Garnett
X
Place:LSB A
Keyser
*
Navarro
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Nordberg
X
Representative Williams
Pabon
X
Rosenthal
*
This Report was prepared by
Roupe
X
Luisa Altmann
Tate
*
Thurlow
X
Winter
X
Kraft-Tharp
X
Williams
E
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB15-1255Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:32 PM -- HB 15-1255

Representative Pabon and Representative Dore, sponsors, introduced House Bill 15-1255. The bill requires the Department of Revenue (DOR) and the Department of Human Services (CDHS) to submit reports to the General Assembly on the improper use of electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards at certain prohibited locations. The bill also requires DOR and CDHS to adopt rules enforcing the prohibited use of EBT cards at specified locations. In addition, the bill requires DOR to establish rules pertaining to establishments regulated by DOR aimed at decreasing the use of EBT cards at automated teller machines (ATM) in prohibited locations.

Representative Pabon and Representative Dore responded to questions from the committee regarding the sign requirements, details of how EBT cards would be prevented from being used at ATMs at specific locations, and other details related to the bill.

01:49 PM -- Ron Kammerzell, DOR, spoke about the bill. Mr. Kammerzell spoke about the work of a working group that was convened last year and was tasked with looking into ways to reduce the number of EBT transactions that occur at locations prohibited by federal law. Mr. Kammerzell testified the bill would give DOR the authority to enforce these laws with licensees.

01:51 PM -- Reggie Bicha, Executive Director of CDHS, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bicha spoke about how EBT cards work, state and federal laws relating to the prohibited use of EBT cards at specific locations, the rate of abuse with EBT cards, work of the EBT task force that convened last year (previously mentioned by Mr. Kammerzell), and other issues related to the misuse of EBT cards and efforts to curtail abuse of EBT cards. Mr. Bicha responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill and details of how the various benefits programs work.




01:59 PM -- Tyler Henson, Colorado Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Henson spoke about current efforts by marijuana businesses to prevent the use of EBT cards at their locations.

02:02 PM -- Jeanne McEvoy, Colorado Licensed Beverage Association (CLBA), testified in support of the bill. Ms. McEvoy spoke about concerns CLBA has with specific requirements within the bill and the effect these requirements would have on smaller businesses CLBA represents. Representative Dore responded to questions from the committee and Ms. McEvoy.

02:09 PM

Representative Pabon provided amendment L.003 (Attachment A) and explained the amendment to the committee.

150317 AttachA.pdf150317 AttachA.pdf
BILL:HB15-1255
TIME: 02:10:02 PM
MOVED:Pabon
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Rosenthal
VOTE
Arndt
Garnett
Keyser
Navarro
Nordberg
Pabon
Rosenthal
Roupe
Tate
Thurlow
Winter
Kraft-Tharp
Williams
Excused
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



02:12 PM

The bill sponsors provided closing remarks regarding the bill. Committee members also provided closing remarks on the bill.
BILL:HB15-1255
TIME: 02:15:47 PM
MOVED:Pabon
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1255, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 12-0.
SECONDED:Nordberg
VOTE
Arndt
Yes
Garnett
Yes
Keyser
Yes
Navarro
Yes
Nordberg
Yes
Pabon
Yes
Rosenthal
Yes
Roupe
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Winter
Yes
Kraft-Tharp
Yes
Williams
Excused
Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:17 PM

The committee adjourned.