Bill Summary for Bill Number HB06-1166

Date: 02/20/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1166

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Adopt L.001 (Attachment L). The motion passed wit Adopt L.002 (Attachment M). The motion passed wi Adopt L.003 (Attachment N). The motion passed wi Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee on Ap	Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection PASS

06:40 PM -- House Bill 06-1166

Representative Judd, sponsor, presented the bill regarding the interception of the payment of gambling winnings to satisfy certain of the winner's obligations (e.g., child support). He distributed amendments L.001 through L.003 and another document to members (Attachments L through O). He answered questions about how errors regarding winners' obligations might be handled and responsibilities the bill creates for casinos. He stated the bill only requires casinos to hold winnings for 30 days.

The following persons testified.

07:01 PM -- Mike Feeley, Colorado Gaming Association, spoke in opposition to the bill. He stated the bill turns casinos into debt collectors, leading to a position of liability. He answered questions about amending the bill to focus on child support cases, systems currently put in place by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), current laws regarding hunting licenses, and compensation to debt collectors. Mr. Feeley stated the bill conflicts with the federal Fair Debt Collections Practice Act. He answered questions about how the bill's provisions differ from wage garnishment by employers.

07:21 PM -- Dan Williams, Wembley, USA, spoke in opposition to the bill. He stated the bill does not address winnings less than $600. Representative Judd answered questions about his attempts to work with the gaming industry. He stated the bill does not require casinos to become debt collectors.

07:28 PM -- Paula Brown, Division of Child Support Enforcement, Department of Human Services, spoke in support of the bill. She described current arrangements the Division has with the Lottery Commission to collect winners' outstanding obligations before winnings are paid. She answered questions about Fair Debt Collections Practice Act. Representative Judd discussed the number of winners of the lottery compared to the number of winners at the casinos.

07:36 PM -- Laura Udis, Colorado Attorney General's Office, stated her office enforces the Colorado Fair Debt Collections Practice Act. She stated it is unlikely that casinos would be considered debt collectors under the bill.

07:41 PM -- Paul Litschewski, Judicial Department, stated the bill will create a new tool with which collect fines and restitution. Tools already exist to intercept tax refunds.

07:42 PM -- Emily White, Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, spoke in support of the bill.


BILL:	HB06-1166
TIME:	07:45:03 PM
MOVED:	Cloer
MOTION:	Adopt L.001 (Attachment L). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Weissmann
		VOTE
	Berens
	Cloer
	Green
	Kerr
	Lundberg
	McGihon
	Riesberg
	Soper
	Stafford
	Sullivan	Excused
	Weissmann
	Frangas
	Boyd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB06-1166
TIME:	07:45:28 PM
MOVED:	Cloer
MOTION:	Adopt L.002 (Attachment M). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Weissmann
		VOTE
	Berens
	Cloer
	Green
	Kerr
	Lundberg
	McGihon
	Riesberg
	Soper
	Stafford
	Sullivan	Excused
	Weissmann
	Frangas
	Boyd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB06-1166
TIME:	07:45:59 PM
MOVED:	Stafford
MOTION:	Adopt L.003 (Attachment N). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Weissmann
		VOTE
	Berens
	Cloer
	Green
	Kerr
	Lundberg
	McGihon
	Riesberg
	Soper
	Stafford
	Sullivan	Excused
	Weissmann
	Frangas
	Boyd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

07:46 PM

Representative Judd made concluding remarks. Members commented on the bill.


BILL:	HB06-1166
TIME:	07:49:24 PM
MOVED:	McGihon
MOTION:	Refer the bill, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The bill passed 9-3-1.
SECONDED:	Weissmann
		VOTE
	Berens	Yes
	Cloer	No
	Green	Yes
	Kerr	No
	Lundberg	No
	McGihon	Yes
	Riesberg	Yes
	Soper	Yes
	Stafford	Yes
	Sullivan	Excused
	Weissmann	Yes
	Frangas	Yes
	Boyd	Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 3 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS