Date: 03/07/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1159

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Move HB06-1159 to the Committee of the Whole. Mot
Moved a conceptual amendment to HB06-1159 to strik		PASS
Pass Without Objection


02:22 PM -- House Bill 06-1159

Senator Johnson, prime sponsor, presented HB06-1159 bill which addresses annexation enclaves. Senator Johnson explained that his bill requires certain conditions to be met before an enclave can be annexed by a municipality. These requirements focus around the creation of annexation transition committees. Senator Johnson spoke to the statewide need for transition committees to improve the annexation process and improve communication between enclaves and municipalities. Senator Johnson addressed questions from the committee.


02:32 PM

Tess Heffernan, City of Fort Collins, testified in support of HB06-1159 and spoke in support of annexation transition committees. Ms. Heffernan explained that these committees will help open communication between governmental entities and the public. She spoke to inter-governmental agreements between different entities and referenced specific examples of annexation projects occurring in Larimer County.


02:34 PM

Karen Rose, Larimer County citizen, testified in support of HB06-1159 and explained that the bill will mitigate the current process of forced annexation and how the current process angers and frustrates citizens. Ms. Rose spoke to the need for transition committees, which will provide more warning and awareness to enclave citizens to be annexed. Ms. Rose addressed questions from the committee regarding the relationship between Colorado counties and municipalities during annexations.


02:44 PM

Joe Collins, Larimer County business owner, testified in support of HB06-1159 and stated that this bill will decrease governmental abuse that is currently occurring with forced annexations.


02:46 PM

Greg Ast, Douglas County resident, testified in support of HB06-1159 and spoke to the freedoms that forced annexations take away. Mr. Ast spoke to the difficulties that annexations create for business owners which can result in forcing businesses to relocate or close. Mr. Ast emphasized the need for business owners to have a fair warning before annexation occurs.


02:49 PM

Jim Robbins, Fort Collins resident, testified in support of HB06-1159 and spoke to the growing concern of eroding property rights in Colorado resulting from cases of eminent domain and forced annexation. Mr. Robbins spoke to the requirement of annexation transition committees and noted they will require open dialogue between municipalities and property owners being annexed. Senator Johnson and Mr. Robbins addressed questions from the committee regarding annexation examples in Larimer County.


02:54 PM

Tess Heffernan, City of Fort Collins, spoke to growth management in Larimer County and past annexations that have occurred there. Ms. Heffenan addressed a question regarding land with agriculture status and how this zoning is grandfathered when it is annexed.


02:58 PM

Steve Syckes, Larimer County resident, testified in support of HB06-1159 and spoke to the need for open discussion between municipal governments and county residents living within an enclave when annexation is being considered.


03:00 PM

Senator Johnson entered closing comments on HB06-1159 and discussion ensued regarding when the bill would take effect.
BILL:HB06-1159
TIME: 03:04:18 PM
MOVED:Bacon
MOTION:Moved a conceptual amendment to HB06-1159 to strike section 3 and replace with a safety clause to the bill. Motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Bacon
Entz
Jones
Kester
Tochtrop
Groff
Hanna
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB06-1159
TIME: 03:10:08 PM
MOVED:Bacon
MOTION:Move HB06-1159 to the Committee of the Whole. Motion passed on a 6-0-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Bacon
Yes
Entz
Yes
Jones
Yes
Kester
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Groff
Yes
Hanna
Excused
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



03:12 PM

The meeting adjourned.