Date: 04/17/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB06-227

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Amend page 2, line 15, strike "WAGES; EXCEPT THAT"
Refer Senate Bill 06-227 to the Committee on Appro		FAIL
PASS



02:25 PM -- Senate Bill 06-227

Senator Tochtrop, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of Senate Bill 06-227, concerning reporting requirements regarding the payment of health care costs.

02:30 PM -- Robin Kniech, representing the Front Range Economic Strategy Center, testified in favor of the bill. She spoke to how this bill would clarify how the practices of private employers impact the state budget. She said it is important to gather this information so Colorado can accurately address health care in the state. Ms. Kniech described how the program would work in regard to reporting requirements. Senator Johnson suggested that the state notify the employers that their employees requested public assistance. Committee discussion ensued.

02:54 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), testified in opposition to the bill. He spoke to how this legislation violates the values of NFIB. He also requested information on why the state is exempt from reporting. The committee discussed the mechanics of employers reporting and gathering health care information and how this information would be used.

03:12 PM -- Donnah Moody, representing the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, testified in opposition to the bill. She spoke to how an employee reports health care information. Ms. Moody indicated that this measure could lead to discrimination because of an undue reporting requirement for proprietary information. Senator Tochtrop clarified that the information is collected by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, not the employers. Further, when the 50 employee threshold is met, the employer is notified and must then report this information to the Department of Labor.

03:25 PM -- Chris Howes, representing the Colorado Retail Council, testified in opposition to the bill.

03:35 PM -- Janet Stephens, representing the Colorado Health and Hospital Association, testified in opposition to the bill. She spoke to how this bill will not improve access to care.

03:51 PM -- Dara Burwell, representing 9 to 5 National Association of Working Women, testified in favor of the bill. She spoke to how health care information is gathered and informed the committee of a study her organization conducted regarding access to health care.

03:57 PM -- Carolyn Siegel, representing the AFL-CIO, testified in favor of the bill. She spoke to how important it is to gather the information to address health care issues in the state.

04:01 PM

Senator Tochtrop provided closing comments on the bill. She indicated that she would amend the bill to address concerns surrounding the notice provision and the implementation date.

BILL:SB06-227
TIME: 04:09:07 PM
MOVED:Lamborn
MOTION:Amend page 2, line 15, strike "WAGES; EXCEPT THAT" and substitute "WAGES."; and on page 3, strike lines 1-3. This amendment removes language that exempts the state of Colorado from the bill. 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:SB06-227
TIME: 04:21:15 PM
MOVED:Windels
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 06-227 to the Committee on Appropriations. 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




04:22 PM

Senator Tupa informed the committee that there will not be a committee meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2006. The committee recessed.