House Committee on Local Government (02/18/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Date:	02/18/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:35 PM to 02:23 PM	Arndt	X
		Danielson	X
Place:	HCR 0107	Keyser	X
		Klingenschmitt	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Navarro	X
	Representative Fields	Ransom	X
		Rosenthal	X
This Report was prepared by		Saine	X
	Damion Pechota	Singer	X
		Lebsock	X
		Fields	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB15-082 HB15-1107		Referred to the Committee of the Whole Postponed Indefinitely

01:35 PM -- SB15-082

Representative Moreno and Representative Lawrence, sponsors, presented and summarized Senate Bill 15-082 concerning the authority of counties to establish a county workforce development program. The bill allows a county to establish a workforce development program to provide financial assistance to residents in the county who pursue post-secondary education or training from an accredited institution of higher education or certified training program. The program will be known as "Bright Future Colorado." In addition, the county may establish a workforce development fund to accept contributions for the program. Participating counties may offer a county property tax credit or rebate to a taxpayer who contributed to the fund. The bill requires that The Board of County Commissioners approve the total amount of credits or rebates annually.

Representative Moreno answered questions from the committee regarding the county property tax credit or rebate for taxpayers who contribute to the fund.

Representative Lawrence answered questions from the committee regarding tax incentives for donations.

01:45 PM -- Barbara Kirkmeyer and Sean Conway, Weld County Commissioners, spoke in favor of the bill.

Commissioner Conway discussed the workforce development programs offered at Aims Community College. He said that counties would be able to opt in or out of the program.

Commissioner Kirkmeyer said it is important to have an educated workforce and that the bill provides program access to veterans and youth.

Commissioner Conway answered questions from the committee regarding potential changes to the fund due to economic conditions. Commissioner Kirkmeyer discussed the investment programs used for the fund.

01:54 PM -- Geri Anderson, representing Aims Community College, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed the workforce development program offered at Aims Community College.

Ms. Anderson answered questions from the committee regarding enrollment in the program and discussed the importance of a post-secondary education.

01:58 PM -- Gini Pingenot, Colorado Counties, Inc., spoke in favor of the bill.

Ms. Pingenot answered questions from the committee regarding property taxes and the county's operating revenue. She discussed the allocation of funds for education programs.

Representative Lawrence and Representative Moreno provided closing comments on the bill.

The committee members provided closing comments on the bill.

02:07 PM

The committee recessed.

02:09 PM

The committee returned from recess.

SB15-082 was laid over, for action only, until later in the committee meeting.

02:09 PM -- HB15-1107

Representative Van Winkle, sponsor, presented and summarized House Bill 15-1107 concerning limitations on the ability of a municipality to annex land that is served by a metropolitan district. The bill requires a metropolitan district board of directors to approve, by a vote of two-thirds of the members, any potential plans for the annexation of the district into a municipality. The bill specifically applies to land areas in which 70,000 or more residents are located and that are located within the service area of a metropolitan district. The board must communicate the results of the vote to the governing body of the municipality within 30 days of the vote.

Representative Van Winkle provided a brief history and description of Highlands Ranch.

HB15-1107 was laid over until later in the committee meeting.

02:13 PM -- SB15-082

The committee returned to SB15-082 for action only.


BILL:	SB15-082
TIME:	02:13:59 PM
MOVED:	Saine
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 15-082 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:	Singer
		VOTE
	Arndt	Yes
	Danielson	Yes
	Keyser	Yes
	Klingenschmitt	Yes
	Navarro	Yes
	Ransom	Yes
	Rosenthal	Yes
	Saine	Yes
	Singer	Yes
	Lebsock	Yes
	Fields	Yes

YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:14 PM -- HB15-1107

He committee returned to HB15-1107 for witness testimony.

02:15 PM -- Rick Owens and Alan Dreher, representing the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District Board of Directors, spoke in favor of the bill.

Mr. Owens provided a brief description of Highlands Ranch. He answered questions from the committee regarding the incorporation of Highlands Ranch and discussed current services provided by the metropolitan district.

Mr. Dreher answered questions from the committee regarding incorporation of Highlands Ranch and the partnerships with neighboring municipalities.


BILL:	HB15-1107
TIME:	02:21:58 PM
MOVED:	Danielson
MOTION:	Postpone House Bill 15-1107 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0.
SECONDED:	Rosenthal
		VOTE
	Arndt	Yes
	Danielson	Yes
	Keyser	Yes
	Klingenschmitt	Yes
	Navarro	Yes
	Ransom	Yes
	Rosenthal	Yes
	Saine	Yes
	Singer	Yes
	Lebsock	Excused
	Fields	Yes

YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:23 PM

The committee adjourned.