Date: 02/11/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1132

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion p
Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment B). The motion p
Refer House Bill 15-1132, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
PASS


01:40 PM

Representative Max Tyler, Chair, called the committee to order. A quorum was present.

01:40 PM -- HB 15-1132

Representatives Coram and K. Becker, co-prime sponsors, came to the table to present on House Bill 15-1132. The bill creates an income tax credit for qualified improvements that increase the energy efficiency of residential property. The tax credit is based on the level of energy savings achieved. Taxpayers apply for the credit through the Colorado Energy Office (CEO). The CEO is to adjust the tax credit to account for other incentive programs and provide taxpayers with a certificate to claim the credit. Taxpayers can submit the certificate when they file their income tax return. The credit is not refundable but may be carried forward for up to five years and is available in tax years 2015 through 2019.

01:41 PM -- Peter Rusin, representing the CEO, came to the table to speak in support of the bill. He stated that HB 15-1132 is an agency bill, and explained the residential energy efficiency tax credit that it would create. Mr. Rusin responded to questions on the reductions to a tax credit that CEO can make if a recipient has already received rebates from a utility energy efficiency program.

01:46 PM -- Paul Davis, representing the Platte River Power Authority (PRPA) and the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities, spoke in favor of the bill. He explained the energy services and energy efficiency programs provided by PRPA, and why it supports the bill.

01:48 PM -- Chris Votoupal, representing Colorado Cleanteach Industries Association, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Votoupal stated that the bill would benefit a utility customer's bottom line, create jobs in Colorado, and is good for the environment.

01:50 PM -- Howard Brooks, representing the Energy Resource Center (ERC), spoke in favor of the bill. He stated that ERC makes energy efficient modifications to residential homes. He stated that energy efficiency measures increase people's comfort in their home, saves customers money, improves the natural environment, and reduces waste energy. He responded to questions on whether low income homes can afford to implement energy efficiency improvements.

01:53 PM -- Jim Meyers, representing the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), spoke in favor of the bill. He stated that SWEEP is a non-profit organization that supports the implementation of energy efficient technologies and measures across the state. Mr. Meyers explained that the bill would promote robust energy retrofits and would ensure that implemented measures were effective with pre- and post-retrofit home inspections. He also spoke to the numerous jobs that are created by the energy efficiency industry in Colorado. He responded to a question on the levels of tax credit that could be expected for residential homes of varying sizes.

01:59 PM -- Geoff Hier, representing the Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA), spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Hier said that CREA represents 22 rural electric cooperatives. Mr. Hier emphasized the importance and effectiveness of pre- and post-retrofit inspections of the home.

2:00 PM

Amendment L.001 (Attachment A) was distributed to the committee. Representative Coram explained that it clarifies language contained within the bill.

150211 AttachA.pdf150211 AttachA.pdf

BILL:HB15-1132
TIME: 02:00:15 PM
MOVED:Coram
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Kraft-Tharp
VOTE
Buck
Carver
Coram
Esgar
Kraft-Tharp
Melton
Moreno
Neville P.
Nordberg
Sias
Winter
Mitsch Bush
Tyler
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



02:01 PM

Amendment L.002 (Attachment B) was distributed to the committee. Representative K. Becker explained that it amends the bill to clarify that the Public Utilities Commission shall not penalize the demand-side management programs of public utilities for the energy savings achieved by individuals claiming the tax credit.
BILL:HB15-1132
TIME: 02:02:25 PM
MOVED:Coram
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Kraft-Tharp
VOTE
Buck
Carver
Coram
Esgar
Kraft-Tharp
Melton
Moreno
Neville P.
Nordberg
Sias
Winter
Mitsch Bush
Tyler
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

150211 AttachB.pdf150211 AttachB.pdf

2:06 PM

Representatives Coram and K. Becker made their closing comments on the bill, noting that it would have a positive impact on rural communities in Colorado, that it creates an incentive for families and individuals to pursue energy efficiency, that it will assist people served by utilities that do not have robust energy efficiency programs, and that it will positively impact the oldest housing stock in the state. The committee discussed the merits of the bill.
BILL:HB15-1132
TIME: 02:07:47 PM
MOVED:Coram
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1132, as amended, to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a vote of 9-4.
SECONDED:Mitsch Bush
VOTE
Buck
No
Carver
Yes
Coram
Yes
Esgar
Yes
Kraft-Tharp
Yes
Melton
Yes
Moreno
Yes
Neville P.
No
Nordberg
No
Sias
No
Winter
Yes
Mitsch Bush
Yes
Tyler
Yes
FINAL YES: 9 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS