Date: 03/25/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-061

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Postpone Senate Bill 15-061 indefinitely. The moti
Refer Senate Bill 15-061 to the Committee of the W		PASS
FAIL



10:09 AM -- SB15-061

Representative Everett, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 15-061. The bill specifies that campaign finance disclosure and reporting requirements do not apply to issue committees until an issue committee has raised or spent in excess of $5,000. Currently, the Fair Campaign Practices Act in the state constitution imposes a $200 threshold for issue committees; however, recent court rulings have found that this limit violates an issue committee's freedom of speech and association. While this bill does not change the constitutional limits for issue committees (which would require an amendment to the state constitution), the bill aims to comport state law with recent court decisions and give state and local officials and issue committees a set limit to use in determining whether or not reporting and disclosure limits apply.

10:13 AM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Staiert stated that many of Colorado's campaign finance laws represent an unconstitutional restraint on free speech. She discussed case law on the issue. She indicated that current law makes it difficult for her office to provide guidance about financial thresholds for issue committee disclosure. She responded to questions from the committee.

10:22 AM -- Shirley Jin, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Jin expressed support for the public's interest in having as much information as possible about candidates.

10:23 AM -- Elena Nunez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Nunez expressed support for financial disclosure laws and indicated that the General Assembly does not currently have the authority to change the $200 threshold that is in the Colorado Constitution. She discussed election transparency. She responded to questions from the committee.

10:27 AM -- Luis Toro, representing Colorado Ethics Watch, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Toro reiterated the testimony of Ms. Nunez with regard to election transparency.


10:31 AM

Representative Everett wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:SB15-061
TIME: 10:33:19 AM
MOVED:Neville P.
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-061 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 5-6.
SECONDED:Humphrey
VOTE
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
No
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
No
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
No
Willett
Yes
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 5 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:SB15-061
TIME: 10:34:05 AM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone Senate Bill 15-061 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 6-5.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
No
Thurlow
No
Tyler
Yes
Willett
No
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS