Date: 01/18/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1002

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 06-1002 to the Committee of the WPASS



09:43 AM -- House Bill 06-1002

Representative Carroll, prime sponsor, introduced House Bill 06-1002. She explained that the bill would continue the Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC). Representative Carroll responded to questions from the committee about cost of running the OCC, and gave a brief history of the OCC.
09:48 AM -- Bruce Harrelson from the Department of Regulatory Agencies testified about the role of the OCC. Mr. Harrelson answered questions from the committee regarding the fiscal note. There was a discussion about the employees' salaries at the OCC.
09:53 AM -- Cameron Graham testified on behalf of the American Association of Retired Persons in support of the bill.
09:56 AM -- John McCormick testified on behalf of Qwest Communications in support of the bill.
09:58 AM -- John Stoffel, representing the Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans, spoke in favor of the bill and spoke highly of the work of the OCC. Mr. Stoffel responded to a question from the committee regarding the Public Utilities Commission and its role in consumer protection.
10:05 AM -- Ron Binz, former Director of the Office of Consumer Counsel from 1984 until 1995, spoke in favor of continuing the OCC. He explained that the OCC offers a single point of contact for consumer representatives. He believes the OCC improves public utility regulation. Mr. Binz addressed the earlier questions from the committee regarding the OCC's budget and staff. Representative Butcher commented on the OCC and stated that the Office has gained respect and deserves to be continued. Mr. Binz responded to some more questions from the committee and concluded his testimony.
10:18 AM -- Representative Carroll gave her closing statements on the bill and discussed the cost.
BILL:HB06-1002
TIME: 10:21:08 AM
MOVED:Carroll M.
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1002 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 13-0.
SECONDED:McCluskey
VOTE
Balmer
Yes
Borodkin
Yes
Butcher
Yes
Carroll M.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Knoedler
Yes
Liston
Yes
McCluskey
Yes
Paccione
Yes
Penry
Yes
Welker
Yes
Cerbo
Yes
Marshall
Yes
Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS