Bill Summary for Bill Number SB06-173

Date: 02/14/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB06-173

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Motion to adopt L.001 (Attachment A). The motion Motion to refer SB 06-173, as amended, to the Comm	Pass Without Objection PASS

02:15 PM -- Senate Bill 06-173

Senator Entz, prime sponsor, explained the provisions of SB06-173 which increases the state reimbursement rate for mileage traveled by state employees in a personal vehicle on official state business. He explained the mileage reimbursement difference between two wheel drives and four wheel drives and the need for Amendment L.001 offered by Senator Taylor that would maintain the differential (Attachment A). Senator Tupa wondered why all wheel drive vehicles were not included in the definition of four wheel drive vehicles. Senator Taylor discussed the necessity of driving a four wheel drive vehicle in rural districts. The committee discussed the need for a higher mileage reimbursement rate for four wheel drive vehicles.

The following people testified on the bill:

02:24 PM -- Mr. Jack Byers, Deputy State Engineer, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed how some employees of the State Engineer's office are required to have their own four wheel drive vehicle which they use significantly for work. These employees are generally lower paid that are responsible for the enforcement of the state water laws. They also provide education and assistance to citizens. He noted that some employees are paying $3,000 of their own money for official state business. He indicated that the bill would help recruit and retain employees.

02:27 PM -- Ms. Christine Watson, League of Women Voters, spoke in favor of bill. She stated that the League recognizes that elected officials need to be reimbursed for driving on official state business.

02:28 PM -- Mr. Bill Hanna, Colorado Association of Public Employees, spoke in favor of the bill.

02:29 PM -- Mr. Scott Madsen, Department of Personnel and Administration, spoke in favor of the bill. He indicated that a survey of other states showed that most states mileage reimbursement rates were equal to the Internal Revenue Service's rate and that Colorado's rates were significantly lower than other states.

Senator Entz closed by asking for support of the bill and stated that Amendment L.001 would not impact the fiscal note significantly (Attachment A).


BILL:	SB06-173
TIME:	02:31:47 PM
MOVED:	Taylor
MOTION:	Motion to adopt L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Brophy
	Shaffer	Excused
	Taylor
	Teck
	Tupa
	Veiga
	Sandoval
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB06-173
TIME:	02:32:07 PM
MOVED:	Taylor
MOTION:	Motion to refer SB 06-173, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 6 - 0 vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Brophy	Yes
	Shaffer	Excused
	Taylor	Yes
	Teck	Yes
	Tupa	Yes
	Veiga	Yes
	Sandoval	Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS