Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs (04/28/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:	04/28/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:41 AM to 12:39 PM	Hill	X
		Jones	X
Place:	SCR 353	Ulibarri	X
		Sonnenberg	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Scott	X
	Senator Scott

This Report was prepared by
	Julia Jackson
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB15-273 SB15-277 HB15-1088 HB15-1302		Amended, Referred to Appropriations Amended, Referred to Appropriations Postponed Indefinitely Postponed Indefinitely

10:41 AM -- SB15-273

Senators Lundberg and Woods, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 15-273 to the committee. Under current law, all registered, active voters receive a mail ballot for elections. The bill permits voters to opt out of receiving mail ballots and vote in person at voter service and polling centers. Voters may indicate their preference for voting at a vote center or by mail ballot either during the initial registration or by modifying their current registration. The bill requires that the online voter registration system and all voter registration forms include a place for the voter to indicate their preferred voting method. Voters may opt out of receiving a mail ballot or change their voting preference at any time, except for during the 60 days preceding an election.

Senator Lundberg stated that voters should have the option not to vote by mail. He presented amendment L.001 (Attachment A), which he said was recommended by the Secretary of State.

Senator Woods noted that two-thirds of the returned ballots in the 2014 general election were dropped off rather than returned by mail. She added that the bill helps protect privacy.

Senator Jones discussed the bill with Senator Lundberg.

10:48 AM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified in support of the bill. She explained that amendment L.001 would eliminate about half of the bill's fiscal impact. She discussed voters who are intimated by voting by mail.

Senator Ulibarri discussed voter participation in 2014 with Ms. Staiert. Discussion continued regarding the use of mail ballots and voter participation.

10:55 AM -- Elena Nunez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified against the bill. She discussed the state's existing system for voting by mail or in person.

Senator Ulibarri and Senator Lundberg discussed the portability of mail ballot opt-outs under the bill.

11:01 AM

Senator Lundberg noted that he will have to modify the effective date of the bill.

11:02 AM -- JoAnn Fujioka, representing herself, testified against the bill. She expressed her opinion that it is important for all registered voters to receive a mail ballot. She discussed the cost of mail ballots.

11:05 AM

Senator Woods wrapped up her presentation of the bill. She stated that the bill would not limit options for Colorado's voters. Senator Lundberg discussed the importance of secure elections and voting.

Committee members discussed the bill with the sponsors.


BILL:	SB15-273
TIME:	11:10:41 AM
MOVED:	Sonnenberg
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection. 15SenateState0428AttachA.pdf
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hill
	Jones
	Ulibarri
	Sonnenberg
	Scott


YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB15-273
TIME:	11:11:47 AM
MOVED:	Sonnenberg
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 15-273, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 3-2.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hill	Yes
	Jones	No
	Ulibarri	No
	Sonnenberg	Yes
	Scott	Yes


Final YES: 3 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:12 AM -- SB15-277

Senators Woods and Lundberg, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 15-277 to the committee. The bill requires, to the extent permitted by interstate compacts providing access between states to voter registration information, beginning February 1, 2016, and not later than February 1 each year thereafter, the Secretary of State to check the voter registration information of each elector whose name appears in the statewide voter registration system against the most recent information maintained for any elector:

• in the national change of address database administered by the United States Postal Service; and
• in the database of the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR).

If the Secretary of State uncovers any discrepancy between a registered elector's information in the statewide voter registration system and the national change of address database or the motor vehicle database, or if the elector's name does not appear in either database, the Secretary of State must share information about the discrepancy to the appropriate county clerk and recorder. County clerks and recorders who are notified of potential discrepancies must notify the registered elector with a letter requiring the registered elector to verify their identity with proper government-issued identification. If a registered elector does not respond to the letter or fails to provide proper identification, the registered elector will be marked as "inactive." In addition, county clerks and recorders may cancel the voter registration of any such inactive elector who fails to vote in two consecutive general elections. By May 1, 2016, and each May 1 thereafter, county clerks and recorders must submit a report to the Secretary of State summarizing compliance.

Senator Woods explained that the bill would help clean up the voter rolls, particularly in cases where voters have moved. She asked for support for amendment L.001 (Attachment B). Senator Lundberg described his experience running for office and the number of voters who remain on the registration rolls erroneously. Senator Woods noted that the amendment strikes the bill's photo ID requirement.

15SenateState0428AttachB.pdf

11:17 AM -- Elena Nunez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified against the bill. She noted the importance of clean voter rolls and identified existing provisions to achieve this. She expressed concerns with how the bill would interact with existing law. She added that the bill could conflict with the National Voter Registration Act.

Senator Jones and Senator Ulibarri discussed the bill with Ms. Nunez.

11:22 AM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified on the bill. She discussed the importance of accuracy in the voter rolls. She described certain technical issues with the bill. Ms. Staiert explained that the Secretary of State already participates in ERIC and the Kansas Cross-Check, as well as conducting national change of address database (NCOA) searches. She added that temporary moves could be problematic under the bill.

11:27 AM

Senator Woods discussed amendment L.001, and she noted that the county clerks are neutral on the bill. Senator Lundberg expressed willingness to address technical issues with the bill.


BILL:	SB15-277
TIME:	11:30:44 AM
MOVED:	Sonnenberg
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hill
	Jones
	Ulibarri
	Sonnenberg
	Scott


YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

11:30 AM

Committee members commented on the bill.


BILL:	SB15-277
TIME:	11:33:20 AM
MOVED:	Sonnenberg
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 15-277, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 3-2.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hill	Yes
	Jones	No
	Ulibarri	No
	Sonnenberg	Yes
	Scott	Yes


Final YES: 3 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:33 AM -- HB15-1088

Senator Crowder, sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1088 to the committee. The reengrossed bill creates the Interagency Farm-to-School Grant Program (grant program) within the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) to award grants to farmers, ranchers, and food processing facilities to be used for investments related to food safety, and for costs associated with food sales to schools. The bill directs the existing Interagency Farm-to-School Coordination Task Force (task force) to issue guidelines for grant applications and a timeline for the distribution of grant funds. The task force must seek public comment regarding the guidelines established and post the guidelines on the task force's website. The General Assembly is required to annually appropriate in the Long Bill at least $500,000 to the DPHE for grant awards between FY 2015-16 and FY 2019-20, and the DPHE may use up to seven percent of the annually appropriated amount for implementation and for on-going administrative support for the task force and grant program. The DPHE and the task force may seek and accept gifts, grants, and donations for the program; however, the implementation of the program does not depend on the receipt of such funds. Finally, the bill requires the task force to submit a report to the General Assembly on or before February 1, 2016, February 1, 2018, and February 1, 2019, summarizing the task force's review of the grant program. The program is repealed July 1, 2020, following a sunset review.

Senator Crowder explained that the bill would help integrate farmers into the school food system.

11:35 AM -- Jeremy West, representing the Weld County School District Number 6 and the Colorado Farm-to-School Task Force, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the task force's work. He noted that school district food service directors are concerned about food safety when purchasing from farms. Mr. West responded to concerns he has heard about the bill, and he added that the bill would result in investment in rural communities. He stated that the bill helps schools connect to farmers.

11:41 AM -- Karen Howe, representing Ela Family Farms and Thistle Whistle Farm, testified in support of the bill. She stated that the bill's grant program could help local farms. She discussed the difficulties farmers face selling produce to schools. She suggested that farm-to-school programs help address childhood obesity problems. Ms. Howe continued to discuss the positive impact of these programs and the importance of local food production.

11:49 AM

Committee members, Senator Crowder, and Ms. Howe discussed current limitations on school district food purchasing.

11:51 AM -- Theresa Hafner, representing Denver Public Schools (DPS) and the Colorado Farm-to-School Task Force, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the cost pressures school districts face in providing food service. She explained that the grants under the bill would help address these costs. Ms. Hafner continued to discuss the benefits of purchasing local produce.

Senator Sonnenberg and Ms. Hafner discussed DPS's use of prior grant money.

11:59 AM -- Lynn Kathlene, representing the Spark Policy Institute, testified in support of the bill. She responded to prior discussion regarding food safety costs. She noted that the bill opens a new market for farmers.

12:02 PM

Senator Crowder wrapped up his presentation of the bill. He suggested that farmers need reliable markets for their produce, and he discussed the bill's benefits for farmers. He explained that amendment L.005 (Attachment C) would help ensure that the farm-to-school program benefits small farmers.

15SenateState0428AttachC.pdf

Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Crowder.


BILL:	HB15-1088
TIME:	12:12:29 PM
MOVED:	Ulibarri
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hill
	Jones
	Ulibarri
	Sonnenberg
	Scott


YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

12:12 PM

Committee discussion continued.


BILL:	HB15-1088
TIME:	12:13:53 PM
MOVED:	Ulibarri
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1088, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion failed on a vote of 2-3.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hill	No
	Jones	Yes
	Ulibarri	Yes
	Sonnenberg	No
	Scott	No


YES: 2 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	HB15-1088
TIME:	12:14:09 PM
MOVED:	Sonnenberg
MOTION:	Postpone House Bill 15-1088 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 3-2.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hill	Yes
	Jones	No
	Ulibarri	No
	Sonnenberg	Yes
	Scott	Yes


Final YES: 3 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:14 PM -- HB15-1302

Senator Martinez Humenik, sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1302 to the committee. The reengrossed bill requires that by January 1, 2017, the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) must promulgate rules concerning the continuing education requirement for administrators of assisted living facilities. The continuing education requirements must, at a minimum, include at least one credit hour for ethics and at least one credit hour for employee management. The DPHE must report its progress concerning the continuing education requirements to the General Assembly during the SMART act presentations for the 2016 and 2017 legislative sessions.

Senator Martinez-Humenik explained that there are no current requirements for assisted living facility administrators to demonstrate continued competency in the field. She noted that the program has no fiscal impact.

12:18 PM -- Megan Harp, representing Heritage Haus and the Colorado Assisted Living Association (CALA), testified in support of the bill. She described the assisted living facility where she works and stated that the bill will improve patient care in the field.

12:21 PM -- Kathi Miller, representing Greenridge Place and CALA, testified in support of the bill. She described her facility and her experience and education in the field of assisted living administration. She discussed benefits of requiring continuing education.

Senator Hill discussed with Ms. Miller her facility's staff and training.

12:24 PM -- Emily Cassell, representing Primrose Place, testified in support of the bill. She described her facility, and she stated that the bill is important to quality of care in assisted living facilities.

12:26 PM -- Bill Boles, representing CALA, testified in support of the bill. He described his experience running an assisted living facility. He explained that a number of unqualified individuals have entered the assisted living field in recent years. He added that the industry changes frequently, stating that this is why continuing education is needed.

Senator Hill and Mr. Boles discussed CALA's role in requiring administrator training.

12:30 PM

Senator Martinez Humenik wrapped up her presentation of the bill. Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Martinez Humenik.


BILL:	HB15-1302
TIME:	12:38:38 PM
MOVED:	Jones
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1302 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 2-3.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hill	No
	Jones	Yes
	Ulibarri	Yes
	Sonnenberg	No
	Scott	No


YES: 2 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	HB15-1302
TIME:	12:38:54 PM
MOVED:	Sonnenberg
MOTION:	Postpone House Bill 15-1302 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 3-2.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hill	Yes
	Jones	No
	Ulibarri	No
	Sonnenberg	Yes
	Scott	Yes


Final YES: 3 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:39 PM

The committee adjourned.