Date: 04/16/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1258

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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12:05 PM -- HB15-1258

Representative Winter, co-prime sponsor, introduced House Bill 15-1258. The bill, as amended by the House Health, Insurance, and Environment Committee, creates the Family Medical Leave Insurance Program (FMLI) in the newly created Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The FMLI programs provide partial wage replacement benefits to eligible individuals who are unable to work due to their own serious health condition, or who take leave from work to care for a new child or family member with a serious health condition. Prior to establishing the FMLI program, the division will conduct an actuarial evaluation to determine the amount of premium required to support the FMLI program. Representative Winter distributed amendment L.005 (Attachment B). She discussed the changes to bill through amendment L.005.

15HouseFinance0416AttachB.pdf15HouseFinance0416AttachB.pdf

12:09 PM

Representative Salazar, co-prime sponsor, spoke to the bill. He answered committee questions regarding the fiscal note and the actuarial study.


12:17 PM

Committee discussion ensued regarding federal funding, legislative intent, and amendment L.005.

12:31 PM -- Commissioner Eva Henry, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her personal experience with employment, personal leave, and public assistance.

12:36 PM -- Ms. Jennifer Greenfield, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the economic impact of care-giving employees. She distributed her written testimony (Attachment C) to the committee.

15HouseFinance0416AttachC.pdf15HouseFinance0416AttachC.pdf

12:43 PM -- Ms. Erin Bennett, representing 9to5 Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the national movement regarding family insurance and the federal funding available. She distributed two letters of support from the Small Business Majority (Attachment D and Attachment E).

15HouseFinance0416AttachD.pdf15HouseFinance0416AttachD.pdf 15HouseFinance0416AttachE.pdf15HouseFinance0416AttachE.pdf

12:46 PM -- Ms. Thamanna Vasan , representing the Fiscal Policy Institute, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the fiscal implications of the bill on the economy, citizens, and the state.

12:50 PM -- Ms. Fabiola Gonzalez, representing herself and 9to5, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her personal experience with dealing with time off and caring for sick family members.


12:55 PM

Committee discussion ensued regarding the fiscal impact to the state, the funding of the program, and similar programs nationwide.


01:06 PM

The bill was laid over to a future date for action only.