House Committee on Finance (03/07/2012)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Date:	03/07/2012	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:34 PM to 06:29 PM	Acree	X
		Beezley	X
Place:	LSB A	Conti	X
		Holbert	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Hullinghorst	X
	Representative DelGrosso	Kagan	X
		Kefalas	X
This Report was prepared by		Labuda	X
	Ron Kirk	McCann	X
		Pabon	X
		Swalm	X
		Swerdfeger	X
		DelGrosso	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HB12-1308 Presentation on the PTC Rebate Program HB12-1302 HB12-1110 HB12-1303 HB12-1272		Postponed Indefinitely Committee Discussion Referred to Appropriations Amended, Referred to Appropriations Amended, Referred to Appropriations Amended, Referred to Appropriations

01:34 PM -- House Bill 12-1308 - Concerning Funding For Economic Development Programs

Representative Singer, prime sponsor, explained that House Bill 12-1308 directs the General Assembly to appropriate additional moneys for economic development programs administered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development. He noted that since the two funding sources for the bill, House Bill 12-1260 and House Bill 12-1251, were postponed indefinitely by the House Finance Committee, he would like the committee to postpone House Bill 12-1308 indefinitely. The committee took the following action.


BILL:	HB12-1308
TIME:	01:37:43 PM
MOVED:	Hullinghorst
MOTION:	Moved to postpone House Bill 12-1308 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0, with 2 members excused.
SECONDED:	Acree
		VOTE
	Acree	Yes
	Beezley	Yes
	Conti	Yes
	Holbert	Yes
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Kagan	Yes
	Kefalas	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Pabon	Excused
	Swalm	Excused
	Swerdfeger	Yes
	DelGrosso	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:05 PM -- Presentation on the PTC Rebate Program

Representative DelGrosso noted that the House and Senate Finance Committees are required to review the Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate Program (PTC Program) in even-numbered years. He welcomed the Department of Revenue to the meeting to discuss the program.

The following persons testified:

02:07 AM -- Ms. Regina Platt, Department of Revenue, distributed a handout on the PTC Program (Attachment A) and discussed the number of returns and filers who received rebates under the program. Ms. Platt noted that there has been a decline in rebates paid out by the department over the past few years. She noted that in 2005, total rebates issued were $16.8 million and declined to $7.4 million in FY 2010-11. Ms. Platt said that there were a number of factors that have triggered the decline. Most notably, changes in the filing process and computer systems over the years have reduced the number of rebates issued. Ms. Platt also said that transfer payments that count as income have increased and also reduced grant amounts for filers.

The committee discussed the program and a brief history of the program was discussed by the department.

02:20 AM -- Mr. Richard Giardini, Department of Revenue, explained the history of the program and said that many filers receive assistance by the department to process their rebates. The committee discussed the administration of the program. Mr. Giardini commented that the department does not promote the program but it is part of the income tax filing process. He said that the department verifies income and helps most people who file to complete their returns. The committee concluded the discussion on the income levels that qualify persons for rebates under the program.

02:08 PM -- House Bill 12-1302 - Concerning a Flight For Life License Plate

Representative Massey, prime sponsor, explained that House Bill 12-1302 creates the Flight for Life Colorado special license plate. The plate will be available to all applicants who pay a one-time additional fee of $50 and demonstrate they have donated $25 to Flight For Life Colorado.

The following persons testified:

02:13 PM -- Ms. Kathleen Mayer, representing Flight For Life Colorado, distributed a letter regarding the bill (Attachment B) and testified for the legislation. She noted that payment is not a requirement for transporting a person by a Flight for Life transport and noted that there is a considerable cost to provide the service to the mountainous areas of Colorado. Ms. Mayer closed by saying that this special license plate will help toward funding the operation of flights.

02:16 PM -- Ms. Diane Rees, Flight For Life Survivors, testified in support of the legislation. Ms. Rees discussed her personal family experiences with Flight For Life Colorado.


BILL:	HB12-1302
TIME:	02:20:40 PM
MOVED:	Hullinghorst
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 12-1302 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 11-1, with 1 member excused.
SECONDED:	McCann
		VOTE
	Acree	Yes
	Beezley	Yes
	Conti	Yes
	Holbert	No
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Kagan	Yes
	Kefalas	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Pabon	Yes
	Swalm	Excused
	Swerdfeger	Yes
	DelGrosso	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:26 PM -- House Bill 12-1110 - Concerning the Regulation of Appraisal Management Companies

Representative Williams A., prime sponsor, distributed a packet of letters in support of the legislation to the committee (Attachment C). She continued by explaining that House Bill 12-1110 redefines the legal meaning of appraisal management companies (AMC) and establishes a licensure program for AMCs in the Division of Real Estate Division in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). She noted that an AMC license may be given to an individual or any third party entity that, in connection with an appraisal for a mortgage transaction, oversees a network or panel of certified appraisers. Representative Williams noted that the composition of the Board of Real Estate Appraisers is modified to include a representative of an AMC.

The following persons testified:

02:37 PM -- Ms. Marcia Waters, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Real Estate, responded to committee questions about the division's role in licensing real estate appraisers. Ms. Waters closed by discussing the staffing changes triggered by House Bill 12-1110 that affect the rule-making authority of the division.

02:49 PM -- Ms. Jo Stinett, representing the Colorado Coalition of Appraisers, and the Colorado Association of Real Estate Appraisers, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Stinett discussed the changes in state and federal laws that appraisers have had to adapt to and how these changes affected mortgage banking transactions.

02:53 PM -- Ms. Lisa Desmarais, representing herself as a certified residential appraiser and member of the Appraisal Institute, testified in support of the legislation.

03:03 PM -- Mr. George Heredia, representing the Real Estate Valuation Advocacy Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Heredia discussed the guidelines that some lenders use in the appraisal process for mortgage lending purposes.

03:28 PM -- Mr. Ted Leighty, representing the Colorado Association of Realtors, testified in support of the legislation.

03:35 PM -- Ms. Jenifer Waller, representing the Colorado Bankers' Association, testified in favor of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:40 PM -- Ms. Marcia Waters, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Real Estate, was called back to respond to committee questions.


BILL:	HB12-1110
TIME:	03:46:07 PM
MOVED:	Labuda
MOTION:	Moved Amendment L.007 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		VOTE
	Acree
	Beezley
	Conti
	Holbert
	Hullinghorst
	Kagan
	Kefalas
	Labuda
	McCann
	Pabon
	Swalm
	Swerdfeger
	DelGrosso

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB12-1110
TIME:	03:49:17 PM
MOVED:	Kagan
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 12-1110, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 8-4, with 1 member excused.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		VOTE
	Acree	No
	Beezley	No
	Conti	Yes
	Holbert	No
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Kagan	Yes
	Kefalas	Excused
	Labuda	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Pabon	Yes
	Swalm	No
	Swerdfeger	Yes
	DelGrosso	Yes

Final YES: 8 NO: 4 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:55 PM -- House Bill 12-1303 - Concerning Speech-Language Pathology

Representative Schafer S., prime sponsor, distributed two letters of support for House Bill 12-1303 (Attachment E) and discussed the provisions of the bill. She explained that House Bill 12-1303 enacts the Speech-Language Pathology Practice Act, and requires that the Division of Registrations (division) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), create a certification program for speech-language pathologists. Beginning July 1, 2013, only individuals properly certified by the division may use the title "certified speech-language pathologist" or otherwise represent themselves as such. The committee discussed the exemptions in the bill. Representative Schafer responded saying that speech-language pathologists who are employed by schools and licensed by the Colorado Department of Education as special education services providers are exempt from the certification requirements.

The following persons testified:

04:13 PM -- Ms. Alisa Thomas, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Thomas noted her experience with a certified speech-language pathologist. She closed by noting that in other states, these highly-skilled medical personnel are certified. Ms. Thomas closed saying that Colorado needs to license speech-language pathologists.

.
04:18 PM -- Mr. David Grange, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

04:24 PM -- Ms. MeLea Mihok, representing the Colorado Speech-Language Hearing Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Mihok explained the settings in which speech-language pathologists practice and the requirements to be able to practice speech-language pathology. She stated that the bill would include only those speech-language pathologists who work outside of schools and that the bill would be paid for by the practitioners. Ms. Mihok described what speech-language pathologists do related to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. Ms. Mihok closed by responding to questions about the current way the profession is regulated.

04:27 PM -- Ms. Kathy Boada, Colorado Speech-Language Hearing Association, testified in support of the legislation. Ms. Boada noted that the state needs to establish certified standards for speech-language pathologists to protect consumers and ensure that certified help is available for persons who need the rehabilitation.

04:53 PM -- Mr. Dino Ioannides, Department of Regulatory Agencies, responded to questions about the certification process and immunity provisions contained in the bill. The committee dialogued about the immunity provisions. Mr. Ioannides responded to questions about the annual renewal fee included in the fiscal note, the need for annual renewals, and the oversight by the Director of Registrations rather than a board. Mr. Ioannides responded to questions about the number of complaints the department has received concerning speech-language pathologists, the need for regulation of speech-language pathologists, and the regulation of speech-language pathologists in other states.


BILL:	HB12-1303
TIME:	05:04:12 PM
MOVED:	Hullinghorst
MOTION:	Moved Amendment L.005 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Kefalas
		VOTE
	Acree
	Beezley
	Conti
	Holbert
	Hullinghorst
	Kagan
	Kefalas
	Labuda
	McCann
	Pabon
	Swalm
	Swerdfeger
	DelGrosso

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB12-1303
TIME:	05:05:07 PM
MOVED:	Hullinghorst
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 12-1303, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 9-3, with 1 member excused.
SECONDED:	Kagan
		VOTE
	Acree	Yes
	Beezley	No
	Conti	Yes
	Holbert	No
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Kagan	Yes
	Kefalas	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Pabon	Yes
	Swalm	No
	Swerdfeger	Excused
	DelGrosso	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 3 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

05:10 PM -- House Bill 12-1272 - Concerning Unemployment Insurance

Representatives Duran and Representative Ramirez, prime sponsors explained the provisions of the bill and distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment G). Representative Duran noted that House Bill 12-1272 extends until June 30, 2014, enhanced unemployment insurance compensation benefits for eligible unemployment insurance (UI) claimants engaged in an approved training program for entry into a high-demand occupation. She continued by noting that under the bill, the Director of the Division of Employment and Training in the Department of Labor and Employment is responsible for identifying high-demand occupations. Under current law, the division can obligate $15 million over three years, ending June 30, 2012, for enhanced UI benefits. Representative Duran closed by saying that the bill authorizes the division to obligate $8 million for FY 2012-13 and FY 2013-14 and may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations, to cover its administrative costs.

Representative Ramirez continued the presentation by saying that the definition of an approved training program is expanded to include employer-based or entrepreneurial training programs approved by the director. The bill removes the options of training for entry into an occupation that leads to stable, long-term employment, or an occupation in the renewable energy field. He closed by noting that in the bill, the definition of the eligible UI claimant is expanded to include those receiving extended benefits, or benefits under a military or federal claim. The committee discussed the obligation of employers under the bill. Representative Ramirez responded by saying that under the bill, the claimant is paid by the UI fund rather than the employer.

The following persons testified:

05:28 PM -- Ms. Kathy White, representing the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, testified in support of the bill.

05:40 PM -- Mr. Pat Teegarden, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, distributed a handout on House Bill 12-1272 (Attachment H) and testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the UI Trust Fund.

06:01 PM -- Mr. Rich Jones, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the legislation. He noted that this bill is a cost-effective way to get the unemployed back to work.

06:04 PM -- Mr. Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Businesses, testified in support of the bill.

06:08 PM -- Ms. Loren Furman, representing the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, testified in support of the bill.


BILL:	HB12-1272
TIME:	06:20:38 PM
MOVED:	Kefalas
MOTION:	Moved Amendment L.001 (Attachment G). The motion passed on a vote of 10-2, with 1 member excused.
SECONDED:	Hullinghorst
		VOTE
	Acree	Yes
	Beezley	No
	Conti	Yes
	Holbert	No
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Kagan	Yes
	Kefalas	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Pabon	Yes
	Swalm	Yes
	Swerdfeger	Excused
	DelGrosso	Yes

YES: 10 NO: 2 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:	HB12-1272
TIME:	06:23:22 PM
MOVED:	Hullinghorst
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 12-1272, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 9-3, with 1 member excused.
SECONDED:	Kefalas
		VOTE
	Acree	Yes
	Beezley	No
	Conti	Yes
	Holbert	No
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Kagan	Yes
	Kefalas	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Pabon	Yes
	Swalm	Yes
	Swerdfeger	Excused
	DelGrosso	No

YES: 9 NO: 3 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

06:29 PM

The committee adjourned.