Date: 02/15/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1201

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (the amendment makes a techn
Refer House Bill 06-1201, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS


01:51 PM -- House Bill 06-1201 - Concerning the Proportion of Gaming Revenues Designated for Tourism

Representative Plant and Representative White, prime sponsors, discussed the distribution of gaming revenue under current law. Representative Plant distributed a handout on the gaming revenue distribution (Attachment C) and amendment L.001 (Attachment D) to committee members. Representative White explained that under current law 49.8 percent of the funds available for distribution from the Limited Gaming Fund at the end of each fiscal year are transferred to the General Fund, and 0.2 percent are transferred to the Colorado Travel and Tourism Promotion Fund. He said that beginning with FY 2005-06, this bill changes the allocation so that the available funds are divided equally between the General Fund and the Colorado Travel and Tourism Promotion Fund.

Representative Plant commented on the return on investment for every state dollar invested in state tourism. In response, the committee discussed the money that would not be going to the HUTF should the legislation be adopted. The discussion continued as Representative Plant discussed the goals of the legislation as it relates to the state's investment in tourism.

The following persons testified:

02:13 PM -- Mr. Chuck Berry, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, testified in support of the bill and commented that Colorado needs to do a better job of promoting Colorado as a national tourism resource. This legislation is a good way to promote Colorado as it will add jobs to the Colorado economy and enhance sales tax revenues. Mr. Berry talked about the 1983 tourism tax and how it generated revenue for a limited number of years before it sunset after 5 years. Mr. Berry discussed the efforts of the General Assembly to fund tourism in the past and said that it was important to fund tourism because it generates a significant rate of return for the state. Mr. Berry closed by urging the committee to support the legislation.

02:19 PM -- Ms. Ilene Kamsler, Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association, testified in support of the legislation and commented on the legislation's ability to keep jobs in communities.

02:23 PM -- Mr. Pete Meeresman, Colorado Restaurant Association, testified in support of the legislation. Mr. Meeresman commented that Colorado is one of the top five tourism destinations in the country and concluded saying that House Bill 06-1201 will provide a permanent source of revenue for tourism.

02:30 PM -- Mr. Brian Vogt, Governor's Office of Economic Development and International Trade, testified in support of the legislation. Mr. Vogt commented that House Bill 06-1201 is an essential economic development tool that would add jobs to Colorado's economic and enhance many urban and rural economies in Colorado.

02:34 PM -- Mr. Mark Rodman, Colorado Preservation Inc., testified in support of the legislation.
BILL:HB06-1201
TIME: 02:36:40 PM
MOVED:McCluskey
MOTION:Moved amendment L.001 (the amendment makes a technical change). The motion passed without objection by those members present.
SECONDED:Judd
VOTE
Benefield
Cloer
Crane
Frangas
Garcia
Harvey
Jahn
Kerr
Marshall
Massey
McCluskey
Judd
Vigil
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB06-1201
TIME: 02:37:58 PM
MOVED:Jahn
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1201, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 11-2-0 vote.
SECONDED:Frangas
VOTE
Benefield
Yes
Cloer
Yes
Crane
Yes
Frangas
Yes
Garcia
No
Harvey
Yes
Jahn
Yes
Kerr
Yes
Marshall
Yes
Massey
Yes
McCluskey
Yes
Judd
No
Vigil
Yes
Not Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS