Bill Summary for Bill Number SB06-218

Date: 03/30/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB06-218

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Motion to adopt L.001 (Attachment A). The motion Motion to refer SB 06-218, as amended, to the Comm	Pass Without Objection PASS

11:49 AM -- Senate Bill 06-218

Senator Sandoval, chair, called the meeting to order. Senator Keller, prime sponsor, explained the provisions of SB 06-218 which provides for annual appropriations by the General Assembly from the Colorado Disabled Telephone Users Fund to replenish the Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Cash Fund.

The following people testified on the bill:

11:52 AM -- Mr. Ron Jack, Chief of Administration, Public Utilities Commission (PUC), spoke in support of the bill. He discussed the purpose of the bill and explained that the Commission needs more funds to provide its services. He stated that the bill would allow for an annual appropriation to the Commission each year, rather than the specific amount set in current law. He discussed the 6 cent surcharge on each land phone line and how it has been adjusted due to the changing fund balance of the Colorado Disabled Telephone Users Fund.

11:56 AM -- Ms. Mary McGhee, Department of Human Services, Division of Boards and Commissions, spoke in favor of the bill and indicated that the Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is one of the commissions under her division. She explained that the Commission needs additional funding for programs, including to provide telephone equipment for low income deaf and hard of hearing residents.

The committee discussed the source of funding for appropriations to the Commission. In addition to the $25,000 in annual appropriations provided by the land line surcharge, there was an additional lump sum of money provided when the Commission's programs were created. This money is beginning to run out. Ms. McGhee explained that the purpose of the bill was to replenish the Colorado Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Cash Fund.

Senator Keller closed by summarizing the bill and asking for the committee's support.


BILL:	SB06-218
TIME:	12:04:43 PM
MOVED:	Teck
MOTION:	Motion to adopt L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Brophy
	Shaffer
	Taylor
	Teck
	Tupa
	Veiga	Excused
	Sandoval
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB06-218
TIME:	12:05:03 PM
MOVED:	Teck
MOTION:	Motion to refer SB 06-218, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 6 - 0 vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Brophy	Yes
	Shaffer	Yes
	Taylor	Yes
	Teck	Yes
	Tupa	Yes
	Veiga	Excused
	Sandoval	Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS