Bill Summary for Bill Number Briefing by JBC on Department Budget Requests

Date: 01/12/2015

Final
Briefing by JBC on Department Budget Requests

COMMITTEE ON JOINT STATE VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

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01:40 PM -- Briefing by JBC on Department Budget Requests

Senator Lambert, Joint Budget Committee (JBC) Chair, introduced the JBC members. He discussed the Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget request for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). He noted the small percentage of the department's budget that comes from the state General Fund. Senator Lambert explained DMVA's request for a "process improvement and safety champion." He further explained DMVA's requests to increase payments for county veterans service officers and to lease a protocol vehicle.

01:48 PM

At Representative Ryden's request, Senator Lambert described the next steps in the budget process.

01:53 PM

Senator Lambert discussed the FY 2015-16 budget request for the Department of State. He noted the department's role in managing elections in Colorado. He further explained that the department is funded entirely through cash funds.

Senator Lambert discussed the JBC's efforts to understand issues raised in the implementation of the state's new financial reporting system, the Colorado Operations Resource Engine (CORE).

Senator Lambert explained that a lawsuit has been filed by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) concerning the Department of State's use of business filing fees to fund election administration, an impact of up to $5.4 million in a statewide election year. Senator Ulibarri discussed the fiscal impact of this lawsuit with Senator Lambert.

Representative Salazar and Senator Lambert discussed the department's request for additional funding of the Business Intelligence Center. Senator Steadman noted that JBC staff has written an issue brief about business filing fees.

02:05 PM

Representative Young encouraged committee members to review the full JBC staff briefing documents for both departments.

Senator Jones and Senator Lambert commented on the NFIB lawsuit.

02:07 PM

Senator Ulibarri reminded committee members of his letter concerning an issue at the Grand Junction Veterans Affairs Hospital, which was raised at the committee's SMART Act hearing on January 5, 2015.

02:08 PM

The committee adjourned.