Date: 01/14/2015

Final
Colorado Voter Access and Modernized Elections Commission Sunset Review Hea

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Move to not move forward with a bill on the sunsetPASS



01:32 PM -- Colorado Voter Access and Modernized Elections Commission Sunset Review Hea

Ellen Graham, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), gave the committee an overview of the sunset process. She noted that the sunset review of the Colorado Voter Access and Modernized Elections Commission (COVAME) is a Title 2 review, less comprehensive than a full sunset review of a regulatory function. Committee members received a copy of DORA's report on COVAME (Attachment A) and a draft bill implementing the report's recommendations (Attachment B).

15SenState0114AttachA.pdf15SenState0114AttachA.pdf 15SenState0114AttachB.pdf15SenState0114AttachB.pdf

Ms. Graham explained that COVAME was created in House Bill 13-1303 and was tasked with preparing four specific reports, three of which have been completed. The final report, concerning voting technology, is in progress.


01:38 PM

Kristen Forrestal, Office of Legislative Legal Services, discussed the draft bill. She noted that the sunset laws only require the committee to consider the bill, and that the bill does not necessarily need to be introduced.

Senator Sonnenberg and Ms. Forrestal discussed what would happen to the statutory language if no bill were introduced.

01:40 PM -- Elena Nunez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified on the sunset review. She expressed opposition to COVAME's sunset and noted that she serves on COVAME. She explained that COVAME includes a diverse group of stakeholders and discussed its benefits.

Senator Jones and Ms. Nunez discussed the elections that have occurred under the HB 13-1303 model and possible benefits of continuing the commission through a presidential election.

01:45 PM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified on the sunset review. She noted that she also serves on COVAME, and she explained that COVAME has completed its work. She explained that a Best Practices Commission would be reestablished by Secretary of State Williams. Ms. Staiert added that the Secretary of State has other advisory boards and commissions as well. She discussed the costs of producing COVAME's reports and the challenge of getting bids to prepare them.

Senator Ulibarri and Ms. Staiert discussed the Best Practices Commission that was in place before COVAME and its demographic diversity. Discussion continued regarding COVAME's mission and the possibility of changes to the HB 13-1303 structure.


01:55 PM

Senator Jones and Ms. Staiert discussed the makeup of the Best Practices Commission. They further discussed the bid process for COVAME's reports.


02:01 PM

Ms. Forrestal encouraged the committee to make a motion on the sunset review, even if they chose not to introduce the bill.
BILL:Colorado Voter Access and Modernized Elections Commission Sunset Review Hea
TIME: 02:02:14 PM
MOVED:Sonnenberg
MOTION:Move to not move forward with a bill on the sunset review. The motion passed on a vote of 3-2.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Hill
Yes
Jones
No
Ulibarri
No
Sonnenberg
Yes
Scott
Yes
YES: 3 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



02:06 PM

Ms. Forrestal clarified that the sunset bill would have to be introduced as a sunset bill and could then be amended. She noted that the bill would need to be introduced by the January 23 deadline. Senator Ulibarri and Ms. Forrestal further discussed the process of amending the sunset bill. Committee members commented on the commission and the possibility of reviewing the bill further.


02:15 PM

The committee adjourned.