Date: 01/18/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1041

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 06-1041 to the Committee of the WPASS



10:27 AM -- House Bill 06-1041

Representative Borodkin, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 06-1041. She stated that the bill concerns provisions that govern the preparation of a cost-benefit analysis by state agencies. She stated that the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) recommended the program be continued. Representative Borodkin stated that at the initial sunset hearing that lead to the bill, the program was fully supported by small businesses, the Colorado Restaurant Association, the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, and the Region 8 Advocates for the Small Business Administration. She stated that the bill requires the rules and regulations to be written in plain language. Representative Coleman stated that she had some questions regarding the plain language issue for DORA.
10:30 AM -- Bruce Harrelson, DORA, came to the table to respond to Representative Coleman's concern with what she considers biased language on DORA's web page. She asked if any changes have been made to the web page since the initial sunset hearing. Mr. Harrelson stated that nothing has changed since the initial hearing. Representative Coleman commented on her disagreement of the plain language portion of the bill. Mr. Harrelson responded to a question from the committee about how responsive the agencies are to the cost-benefit analysis. Mr. Harrelson stated that after a cost-benefit analysis the rules are usually either withdrawn or modified.
10:38 AM -- Tony Gagliardi, Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) testified in support of the bill. He stated that the NFIB has a long history of supporting cost-benefit analyses at the state and federal level. He stated that the program serves as a check and balance. Representative Coleman asked if Mr. Gagliardi had any thoughts on the plain language portion of the bill. Mr. Gagliardi explained that plain language is a legal term.
10:44 AM -- Donnah Moody, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, reiterated the Association's support for the continuation of the cost-benefit analysis program. She stated that the cost-benefit helps small businesses and creates a competitive business environment.
10:45 AM -- Rep Marshall commented on the program's importance to small businesses. Mr. Welker commented on the bill and stated that Colorado has been dubbed the second best in regulating businesses.
BILL:HB06-1041
TIME: 10:48:39 AM
MOVED:Borodkin
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1041 to the Committee of the Whole. Motion passed 13-0.
SECONDED:Welker
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



10:49 AM -- The committee adjourned.