Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR AND TECHNOLOGY

Date:03/01/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:36 PM to 03:16 PM
Evans
X
Hanna
X
Place:SCR 354
Kester
X
Takis
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Wiens
*
Senator Veiga
Tochtrop
*
Veiga
X
This Report was prepared by
Jeanette Chapman
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB06-1055
HB06-1174
SB06-105		Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to Appropriations


01:36 PM -- House Bill 06-1055

Senator Veiga indicated that SB 149 will be laid over for action until next week. She then asked Senator Shaffer to introduce his bill.

01:38 PM

Senator Shaffer introduced his bill concerning an exception to the limitation on medical impairment benefits for workers' compensation claims based on mental impairments.

01:39 PM -- Doug Phillips, representing himself, spoke in support of the legislation. Mr. Phillips described his experience as a workers' compensation attorney and his experiences with people with mental impairment issues who might be eligible for workers' compensation insurance. Senator Evans asked about the definition of a crime of violence and the intent of the perpetrator. Mr. Phillips indicated that the intent of the legislation is not to change the definition of crime of violence but rather to extend benefits available to victims. Discussion ensued.


01:58 PM -- John Berry, Workers Compensation Coalition, spoke about the bill. The Coalition had opposed the bill as introduced due to language regarding an "act" of violence versus a "crime" of violence. That language was amended in the House. The Coalition supports the bill in its current state.

02:01 PM
BILL:HB06-1055
TIME: 02:01:17 PM
MOVED:Hanna
MOTION:Refer HB 1055 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 7-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Evans
Yes
Hanna
Yes
Kester
Yes
Takis
Yes
Wiens
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Veiga
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:01 PM -- House Bill 06-1174

Senator Shaffer introduced his bill that would require every person who contracts for work at a construction site to either provide workers' compensation coverage or require proof of coverage for every person performing work at a site. He provided an amendment to the committee (Attachment A). He responded to questions from the committee.

02:10 PM -- David Hansen, Colorado Association of Homebuilders, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:18 PM -- Bob Greene, Colorado Laborers, spoke in support of the bill.

02:20 PM -- Dennis Jakubowski, Association of General Contractors of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.

02:21 PM -- John Berry, Workers Compensation Coalition, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:27 PM

Senator Shaffer made closing comments on the merits of the bill. Senator Evans commented on his reservations regarding the bill.
BILL:HB06-1174
TIME: 02:31:33 PM
MOVED:Tochtrop
MOTION:Amendment L.006 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Evans
Hanna
Kester
Takis
Wiens
Tochtrop
Veiga
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB06-1174
TIME: 02:31:56 PM
MOVED:Tochtrop
MOTION:Refer HB 1174 to the Committee of the Whole, as amended. The motion passed 5-2.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Evans
No
Hanna
Yes
Kester
Yes
Takis
Yes
Wiens
No
Tochtrop
Yes
Veiga
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:35 PM -- Senate Bill 06-105

Senator Takis introduced her bill concerning registration of mechanical conveyances such as elevators and escalators. She provided an amendment to the committee (Attachment B). She responded to questions from the committee.

02:36 PM -- Patrick Hilleary, Building Owners' and Managers' Association, spoke in opposition to the bill. He indicated that most elevators and escalators in the state are currently registered and subject to certain inspections in their respective jurisdictions. He responded to a question from the committee regarding how inspection requirements are determined in different jurisdictions.

02:44 PM -- Joseph DuPont, International Union of Elevator Constructors, spoke in support of the bill.



02:49 PM -- Gerald Smart, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.

02:51 PM -- Gary Severson, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:58 PM -- Gregg Rogers, Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:10 PM

Senator Takis made closing comments on the merits of the bill. She discussed the objective of the proposed legislation.
BILL:SB06-105
TIME: 03:12:39 PM
MOVED:Takis
MOTION:Amendment L.001 (Attachment B). Senator Takis explained the purpose of the amendment. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Evans
Hanna
Kester
Takis
Wiens
Tochtrop
Veiga
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:SB06-105
TIME: 03:14:29 PM
MOVED:Takis
MOTION:Refer SB 105 to the Committee on Appropriations, as amended. The motion passed 5-2.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Evans
No
Hanna
Yes
Kester
Yes
Takis
Yes
Wiens
No
Tochtrop
Yes
Veiga
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:15 PM

The committee recessed.