Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date:03/22/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:40 PM to 04:55 PM
Fitz-Gerald
X
Johnson
X
Place:SCR 353
Lamborn
X
May R.
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Windels
X
Senator Tupa
Groff
X
Tupa
X
This Report was prepared by
Leslie Herod
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB06-1091
HB06-1073
HB06-1157
HB06-1309		Postponed Indefinitely
Postponed Indefinitely
Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:40 PM -- Call to Order

Senator Tupa, chairman, called the committee to order.

01:40 PM -- House Bill 06-1091

Senator Takis, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of House Bill 06-1091, concerning the inclusion of commercial vehicles in the enterprise zone income tax credit for investments in certain property. This tax credit would only apply to investments in the enterprise zone. Senator Tupa asked about the enterprise zone income tax credit discussions in the Legislative Audit Committee. He asked for a distinction between rolling stock credits and what this bill does. Senator Takis responded. Senator Fitz-Gerald made comments on rolling stock tax credits, and its impact on the General Fund. Committee discussion ensued.

01:56 PM -- The following persons testified:

01:57 PM -- Greg Fulton, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, testified in favor of the bill. He indicated that this measure impacts more than just the trucking industry. He further believes this bill would fix an inadvertent error currently in law. He spoke to the timeliness of the bill and the benefit the bill would provide the state.

02:08 PM -- Bill Becker, representing Adams County Economic Development and the Colorado Economic Leadership Association, testified in support of the bill. He spoke the "ripple effect" tax credits have on the state. He believes these incentives will stimulate the Colorado economy.

02:14 PM -- Bob Loew, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to instances where this bill would offset losses to the state. Senator May asked further questions asked about the potential fiscal impact of the bill.


02:21 PM -- Mike Riley, representing Westco Express, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to how this bill would assist businesses. Senator Tupa spoke to this bill as it relates to the passage of Referendum C. Mr. Riley believes this bill will increase industry and jobs.

02:30 PM -- Eppie Perea, representing RAC Transport, testified in support of the bill.

02:32 PM -- Wally Hall, representing MCH Kenworth, testified in support of the bill. He said this bill not only helps companies, but also the support systems that surround the industry.

02:34 PM -- Bob Greene, representing Colorado Laborers, testified in support of the bill.

02:36 PM -- Jim Hansen, representing the Colorado Teamsters, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to the overall effect of enterprise zones.

02:37 PM -- Evan Metcalf, representing the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee and distributed a handout (Attachment A).

02:45 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified in support of the bill.

02:47 PM

Senator Takis provided final comments on the bill. Senator Tupa spoke to what he sees as the ineffectiveness of tax credits and tax incentives.
BILL:HB06-1091
TIME: 02:50:08 PM
MOVED:Lamborn
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1091 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion failed on a 3-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
No
Johnson
Yes
Lamborn
Yes
May R.
Yes
Windels
No
Groff
No
Tupa
No
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:HB06-1091
TIME: 02:50:56 PM
MOVED:Windels
MOTION:Moved to postpone House Bill 06-1091 indefinitely. The motion passed on a 4-3 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
Yes
Johnson
No
Lamborn
No
May R.
No
Windels
Yes
Groff
Yes
Tupa
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:53 PM -- House Bill 06-1073

Senator Mitchell, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of House Bill 06-1073, concerning the repeal of the requirement that a luxury limousine have certain features, and, in connection therewith, repealing the requirement that a luxury limousine have a television, a telephone, and beverages.

02:55 PM -- Becky Brooks, representing Metro Taxi, testified in opposition to the bill. She said this issue should go before the Transportation Legislation Review Committee (TLRC). Senator Lamborn asked how this bill would affect cabs.

02:59 PM -- Bill Imig, representing the Colorado Cab Company, testified in opposition to the bill. He clarified the regulations surrounding taxi cabs and luxury limousines. Committee discussion ensued.

03:08 PM -- Gene Cookenbo, representing the Limousine Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He distributed a handout (Attachment B). He said the requirements for a cupholder, television, and phone do not define luxury. He said this measure would bring the codes up to date.

03:16 PM -- Chris Haskey, representing Majest International, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to the safety issue the television requirement causes.

03:17 PM -- John Hafer, representing A Custom Coach Transportation, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to the uselessness of the television requirement.


03:19 PM -- Mike Guisnler, Pioneer Limousine, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to the definition of a luxury vehicle in various states. Senator Windels spoke to the regulation requirements for taxi cabs that are not required for limousines.

03:28 PM -- Fransie Ozunsess, White Dove Limousine Service, testified in support of the bill. She spoke to issues brought up by the committee regarding women's safety. She also spoke to Black Car services offered in other states. She said the safety issues are Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulation issues.

03:34 PM

Senator Mitchell provided closing comments on the bill.
BILL:HB06-1073
TIME: 03:36:11 PM
MOVED:Lamborn
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1073 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a 3-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
No
Johnson
Yes
Lamborn
Yes
May R.
No
Windels
No
Groff
No
Tupa
Yes
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:HB06-1073
TIME: 03:37:29 PM
MOVED:Fitz-Gerald
MOTION:Moved to postpone House Bill 06-1073 indefinitely. The motion passed on a 4-3 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
Yes
Johnson
No
Lamborn
No
May R.
Yes
Windels
Yes
Groff
Yes
Tupa
No
Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




03:37 PM -- House Bill 06-1157

Senator May, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of House Bill 06-1157, concerning the security of communication and information resources in public agencies. He distributed handouts to the committee and amendment L.014 (Attachments C, D, and E). He clarified that the bill, as amended, would exempt higher education.

03:43 PM -- Mark Weatherford, representing the Governor's Office, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to the lack of consistency in the securing of private information by the state. He said that there are vulnerabilities within the system that need to be addressed. Senator Tupa asked about the federal funds allocated to this program. Senator Johnson asked about the fiscal impact of the bill, and how the House's amendments impact the bill.

03:56 PM -- Rick Dakin, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to the threat cybersecurity has on the state. He indicated the immediacy of the threat, and the necessity of the bill's passage.

04:01 PM

Senator May provided closing comments on the bill. The committee discussed where the funding for this measure would come from in the future.
BILL:HB06-1157
TIME: 04:05:11 PM
MOVED:May R.
MOTION:Moved amendment L.014 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
Johnson
Lamborn
May R.
Windels
Groff
Tupa
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB06-1157
TIME: 04:06:48 PM
MOVED:May R.
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1157, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 7-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
Yes
Johnson
Yes
Lamborn
Yes
May R.
Yes
Windels
Yes
Groff
Yes
Tupa
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:07 PM -- House Bill 06-1309

Senator Grossman, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of House Bill 06-1309, concerning increased authority to protect air quality in Colorado. He testified that this bill would allow Colorado do determine air quality standards for the state. He said that the federal government does not need to dictate what is best for the state of Colorado.

04:22 PM -- James Sanderson, representing Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry and the Colorado Petroleum Association, testified in opposition to the bill. He distributed a document to the committee (Attachment F).

04:32 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified in opposition to the bill. He said this bill creates uncertainty.

04:35 PM -- Dianna Orf, representing the Colorado Mining Association and Colorado Springs Utilities, testified in opposition to the bill. She fears that if Colorado air standards were to surpass federal air standards the effect would be irreversible.

04:37 PM -- Landon Gates, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to bill. He spoke to how the broad intent and scope of the bill would hurt Colorado agriculture.

04:40 PM -- Gregg Thomas, representing the City and County of Denver, testified in support of the bill. He spoke to how the bill would give lawmakers the flexibility to determine air quality standards that best serve Colorado.

04:44 PM -- Dr. Mark Johnson, representing the Public Health Directors of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment G). He said this measure would prevent the air quality standards in Colorado from backsliding. Senator Fitz-Gerald asked about the instances of asthma in Colorado and the impact air quality has on health.


04:50 PM

Senator Grossman provided final remarks on the bill. He distributed the testimony of the American Lung Association for the record (Attachment H).
BILL:HB06-1309
TIME: 04:51:55 PM
MOVED:Fitz-Gerald
MOTION:Moved amendment L.018 (Attachment I). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
Johnson
Lamborn
May R.
Windels
Groff
Tupa
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB06-1309
TIME: 04:54:53 PM
MOVED:Fitz-Gerald
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1309, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 4-2 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
Yes
Johnson
No
Lamborn
Excused
May R.
No
Windels
Yes
Groff
Yes
Tupa
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 2 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:45 PM

The committee recessed.