Bill Summary for Bill Number HB06-1019

Date: 04/11/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1019

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Motion to refer HB 06-1019 to the Committee of the	PASS

02:42 PM -- House Bill 06-1019

Senator Tochtrop, prime sponsor, explained the provisions of HB 06-1019, which creates the Colorado Easter Seals checkoff for income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2006, but prior to January 1, 2009, on state individual income tax return forms. A informational handout on the Easter Seals was distributed to the committee (Attachment C).

The following people testified on the bill:

02:44 PM -- Ms. Lynn Robinson, CEO of Easter Seals, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed the benefits of providing a checkoff for the Easter Seals and indicated that 100 percent of the money will be used in Colorado. She provided information on the services provided by Easter Seals for people with disabilities, such as recreation, therapy, education, support groups, and travel services. She also gave examples of how Easter Seals has benefitted individuals. Colorado ranks 47th in nation in funding for services for people with disabilities.

02:48 PM -- Mr. Garrison Syling and his mother, representing Easter Seals, spoke in favor of the bill. Ms. Syling discussed how Easter Seals has benefitted her son by helping provide him hearing aids.

02:52 PM -- Mr. Tony Ratcliff, representing Easter Seals, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed how his stroke impacted his life and how Easter Seals has helped him.

02:57 PM -- Messrs. Mark and Eric Stahlman and their mother, representing Easter Seals, spoke in favor of the bill. They discussed the benefits of Easter Seals. Mr. Eric Stahlman spoke in favor of the bill and discussed how he likes the camp he attends which is made possible by Easter Seals.

Senator Teck discussed how the number of checkoffs lines on the income tax form is limited and that he wanted the remaining checkoff slots to be saved for less known organizations because they have less of ability to raise funds. Senator Tupa had the same concern, but indicated that he would support the bill. Senator Shaffer commented that some checkoffs on the form are just as prominent as Easter Seals, like the Special Olympics. Senator Teck explained that the state needed to draw the line or there would be a proliferation of checkoffs which would cause a dilution of money to other checkoffs. Senator Sandoval pointed out that there would be an additional cost if the tax checkoffs went beyond 15. However, she stated that some checkoffs could drop off the form and that she would vote to add checkoffs on a first come, first served basis. The committee discussed the possibility of creating a way to allow people to donate to many more checkoffs on the form and the possibility of giving directly to organizations when filing taxes without using the checkoff system.


BILL:	HB06-1019
TIME:	03:13:46 PM
MOVED:	Shaffer
MOTION:	Motion to refer HB 06-1019 to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 5 - 1 vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Brophy	Yes
	Shaffer	Yes
	Taylor	Yes
	Teck	No
	Tupa	Yes
	Veiga	Excused
	Sandoval	Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS