Date: 07/08/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06S-1023

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR AND TECHNOLOGY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 06S-1023 to the Committee of the PASS


02:38 PM -- House Bill 06S-1023

President Fitz-Gerald, bill sponsor, introduced House Bill 06S-1023. On and after August 1, 2006, the bill requires each state agency or political subdivision to verify the lawful presence in the U.S. of each person 18 years of age or older who applies for public benefits as that term is defined in federal law.

02:41 PM -- Peg Ackerman, County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified that the bill clearly defines the public services that will be affected by the bill and adequately protects public safety.

02:42 PM -- Ron Sloan, Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in support of the bill stating that it gives latitude for the police to provide the services necessary for crime prevention. He stated that the bill is a reasonable compromise and responded to questions from Senator Evans.

02:46 PM -- Governor Bill Owens testified regarding his concerns with the bill. He stated that the bill does nothing to ban state and local services, and that he is not aware of any services the bill would ban that are currently being provided. He discussed proposed Initiative #55. He described his specific concerns with the bill including that the bill does not require a person signing an affidavit to provide identification, the bill allows agencies or political subdivisions to adopt variations of the requirements of the bill, and the penalty for illegally signing an affidavit is a misdemeanor. He spoke to the effects of illegal immigration on the state, stating that there are approximately 250,000 illegal immigrants in the state and that providing services to these persons results in great cost to the state. He responded to comments by President Fitz-Gerald. President Fitz-Gerald and Governor Owens further discussed Initiative #55 and House Bill 06S-1023.

03:09 PM -- Adrienne Benavidez, Color of Justice, testified in support of the bill. She stated that the bill identifies the programs that the state has the authority to provide or to restrict. She testified regarding some of the programs and services that, under the bill, are exempt from verification including crisis counselling, domestic violence prevention services, and child and adult prevention services. She discussed Initiative #55 and the Colorado Supreme Court decision regarding the initiative.

03:19 PM -- Rich Jones, Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill. He stated that immigration reform is primarily a federal issue. He further stated that undocumented immigrants come to the state to work and that measures to reduce benefits will not greatly reduce illegal immigration. He stated that implementing processes to verify legal status will have costs and that undocumented immigrants pay taxes. He stated that House Bill 06S-1023 is a reasonable compromise.


03:22 PM

Senator Fitz-Gerald gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. Senator Fitzgerald and Senator Tochtrop discussed citizenship requirements for Medicaid and verification requirements for public benefits. Senator Evans discussed the bill.
BILL:HB06S-1023
TIME: 03:34:41 PM
MOVED:Tochtrop
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06S-1023 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 4-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Boyd
Yes
Evans
No
Kester
No
Takis
Yes
Wiens
No
Tochtrop
Yes
Veiga
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



03:34 PM

The committee adjourned.