Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:01/24/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:02:02 PM to 03:48 PM
Cadman
X
Carroll T.
X
Place:HCR 0107
Coleman
X
Crane
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Gallegos
X
Representative Weissmann
Liston
X
Lundberg
X
This Report was prepared by
Schultheis
X
Bo Pogue
Todd
X
Ragsdale
X
Weissmann
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Briefing by Secretary of State
HB06-1072
HB06-1061
HB06-1095		-
Referred to Finance
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

02:04 PM

The committee was called to order.

02:04 PM -- Briefing by the Secretary of State

Ms. Gigi Dennis, Secretary of State, briefed the committee regarding the Office of Secretary of State (SOS). Secretary Dennis was joined by a number of employees of the SOS, including Keith Whitelaw, Director of the Business Division, Dana Williams, Public Information Officer, Mike Shea, Director of the Licensing Division, Bill Compton, Director of the Elections Division, Bill Hobbs, Deputy Secretary of State, Patti Fredrick, Director for the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and Brian Balay, Chief Information Officer. Secretary Dennis referenced a packet containing background materials regarding SOS (Attachment A), copies of which were distributed to the committee. Secretary Dennis started off the presentation by discussing the SOS's new computer system. Secretary Dennis and Mr. Whitelaw answered questions regarding the functioning of the new system, and clarified what the SOS considers to be an electronic transaction. Secretary Dennis next provided an overview of a backup data center set up by SOS, which will be used by a number of state agencies when fully implemented. Secretary Dennis then briefly discussed bingo and raffle licensing. Mr. Shea answered questions regarding bingo and raffle licensing and training.

02:17 PM

Secretary Dennis provided an update on securing a vendor to implement a new statewide voter registration system, and answered questions about this implementation. Secretary Dennis followed up with an overview of SOS's efforts to ensure that Colorado complies with HAVA. Secretary Dennis responded to a question regarding the cost associated with purchasing technology to comply with HAVA.


02:28 PM

Secretary Dennis further discussed statewide voting and associated costs. Secretary Dennis then agreed to provide data to committee members regarding the number of active and inactive voters in Colorado. A discussion ensued regarding voting costs, with Mr. Compton joining the discussion to provide clarification pertaining to funding for the holding of elections. Secretary Dennis agreed to provide a phone list of SOS contacts to committee members.

02:43 PM

Roll call was taken. A quorum was present.

02:45 PM -- House Bill 06-1072

Representative Vigil presented an overview of HB 06-1072, concerning the issuance of special license plates honoring service in the armed forces of the United States. Representative Vigil stated that he did not currently have a prototype of the plate.

02:47 PM -- Mr. Wayne J. Thompson, Jr., and Mr. George D. Thomas, members of the Legislative Committee for the United Veterans Committee of Colorado, both testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Thompson explained how the license plate would be processed.

02:51 PM

Representative Vigil offered closing comments, asking for an aye vote.
BILL:HB06-1072
TIME: 02:52:21 PM
MOVED:Coleman
MOTION:Refer HB 06-1072 to the Committee on Finance with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on an 11-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Carroll T.
VOTE
Cadman
Yes
Carroll T.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Crane
Yes
Gallegos
Yes
Liston
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Todd
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



02:53 PM -- House Bill 06-1061

Representative Coleman presented HB 06-1061, concerning complaints by state employees alleging retaliation for disclosure of information. Representative Coleman provided a handout detailing the bill to committee members (Attachment B). In response to a question regarding hearing deadlines, Representative Coleman deferred to representatives of the State Auditor's Office for further clarification.

02:58 PM -- Monica Bowers, State Auditor's Office, provided testimony regarding the bill. Kristin Rozansky, Director of the State Board of Personnel, addressed the previous question regarding the hearing deadline and responded to questions regarding how an adverse employment decision hearing is administered.
BILL:HB06-1061
TIME: 03:03:36 PM
MOVED:Coleman
MOTION:Refer HB 06-1061 to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on an 11-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Schultheis
VOTE
Cadman
Yes
Carroll T.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Crane
Yes
Gallegos
Yes
Liston
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Todd
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:04 PM -- House Bill 06-1095

Representative Weissmann provided an overview of HB 06-1095, concerning a preference for the purchase of environmentally preferable products by governmental entities. Representative Weissmann addressed the practicality of providing a preference to products deemed more environmentally safe. Copies of a statute regarding state procurement were distributed to the committee (Attachment C). A discussion ensued regarding economic justifications for the bill. Representative Weissmann briefly explained some of the products that would be procured under the bill. Representative Weissmann then briefly explained state procurement rules. Committee members discussed the fiscal impact of the bill and the fiscal note process in general.

03:21 PM

Representative Weissmann responded to questions regarding what body defines what constitutes an environmentally preferable product and how products are determined to be environmentally preferable.



03:23 PM -- Marjorie Griek, Executive Director, Colorado Association for Recycling, testified in favor of the bill. Ms. Griek explained a Governor's Executive Order, copies of which were distributed to the committee (Attachment D). Ms. Griek then detailed the merits of the bill, including associated efficiencies, economic benefits, and hazard mitigation that can be realized as a result of HB 06-1095. Ms. Griek included a brief history of the recycling industry. Ms. Griek answered questions regarding the Environmental Protection Agency and its role as an entity for certifying environmentally preferable products, as well as third party entities that act in the same role. Ms. Griek wrapped up her testimony by responding to a question regarding the subsidization of environmentally preferable products.

03:35 PM

Representative Weissmann introduced amendment L.002, which amended L.001.
BILL:HB06-1095
TIME: 03:36:20 PM
MOVED:Weissmann
MOTION:Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Coleman
VOTE
Cadman
Carroll T.
Coleman
Crane
Gallegos
Liston
Lundberg
Schultheis
Todd
Ragsdale
Weissmann
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



Representative Weissmann moved and explained amendment L.001. Representative Weissmann responded to a question regarding potential liability in association with procurement.
BILL:HB06-1095
TIME: 03:38:18 PM
MOVED:Weissmann
MOTION:Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The motion passed unanimously.
SECONDED:Carroll T.
VOTE
Cadman
Yes
Carroll T.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Crane
Yes
Gallegos
Yes
Liston
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Schultheis
Yes
Todd
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Not Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



03:41 PM

Representative Weissmann then answered a question regarding the grievance process involved in the procurement of environmentally preferable products, and provided closing comments in favor of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the mandatory nature of the bill, and a number of committee members explained their positions on the bill.
BILL:HB06-1095
TIME: 03:42:52 PM
MOVED:Weissmann
MOTION:Refer HB 06-1095, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 7-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Todd
VOTE
Cadman
No
Carroll T.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Crane
No
Gallegos
Yes
Liston
Yes
Lundberg
No
Schultheis
No
Todd
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

The committee was adjourned.