Date: 04/01/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1315

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 15-1315 to the Committee of the WPASS



11:28 AM -- HB15-1315

Representative Ryden, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1315. Under current law, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) supports the operation of county veterans service officers (CVSOs). A line item in the DMVA's Long Bill appropriation provides funding to assist counties with these operations, subject to a requirement that a county contribute an equal amount for its CVSO from the county budget. The state's payment rate for CVSOs is established annually through the Long Bill.

This bill eliminates the requirement that counties contribute a matching amount for CVSO operations. The bill also specifies that the payment rate will be determined by the Division of Veterans Affairs in the DMVA based on available appropriations to support CVSOs, and clarifies that payments to counties are from the DMVA's budgeted line item for CVSOs.

11:30 AM -- Steve Rylant, representing the United Veterans Committee, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Rylant discussed the mission of CVSOs and the effects of Agent Orange.

11:34 AM -- Gini Pingenot, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified about the bill. Ms. Pingenot discussed the value and benefit CVSOs provide to communities and explained that the requirement to provide them has always been an unfunded or underfunded mandate on the counties. She responded to questions from the committee about funding for CVSOs.

11:38 AM -- Ben Mestas, representing DMVA, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mestas explained how the bill provides needed clarification about funding for CVSOs.
BILL:HB15-1315
TIME: 11:43:08 AM
MOVED:Ryden
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1315 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0, with 1 excused.
SECONDED:Humphrey
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Excused
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS