Bill Summary for Bill Number HB12-1348

Date: 04/23/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1348

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The Moved to refer House Bill 12-1348, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection PASS

02:17 PM -- House Bill 12-1348

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Ferrandino, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 12-1348, concerning the power of the Legislative Department with respect to Capitol buildings group space, and in connection therewith, providing for the designation of space for the members of the General Assembly, legislative staff, and legislative staff agencies and the furnishing and equipping thereof, and granting the control of legislative spaces to the Legislative Department. Representative Ferrandino discussed a variety of issues that led to the introduction of the bill, and explained the effect of the legislation. He explained the effect of prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

02:22 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 12-1348:

02:23 PM -- Ms. Kathy Nesbitt, Executive Director of the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA), testified on the bill from a neutral perspective. Committee members received an assessment of the Capitol Complex tunnel system by the Denver Department of Public Safety (Attachment B), a consultant evaluation of changing the use of the tunnel system (Attachment C), a cost estimate for upgrading the tunnel system to accommodate a change in use (Attachment D), a map of the tunnel system in relation to the Capitol Complex (Attachment E), and a DPA e-mail expressing concerns with expanding access to the tunnel system (Attachment F). Ms. Nesbitt provided an overview of the space currently occupied by DPA, and discussed cost savings that could be realized if department personnel were to move from leased space into the 1525 Sherman Street building. Ms. Nesbitt addressed issues raised by Representative Ferrandino when he presented the bill, including potential parking disruptions for the DPA and safety issues associated with accessing underground tunnels in the Capitol Complex. Ms. Nesbitt responded to questions regarding the ability of DPA to consolidate within the 1525 Sherman Street building, if the bill were to be amended by amendment L.001. Ms. Nesbitt responded to further questions about the parking near the building to be occupied by the General Assembly under the bill, and the potential to build a parking garage on the corner of Colfax Avenue and Lincoln Street. Discussion ensued regarding the number of parking spaces to be displaced under the bill, and the impact of the Attorney General's Office move to the new Ralph Carr Justice Center on parking accommodations.

02:33 PM

Ms. Nesbitt responded to questions regarding incentives for DPA employees to use public transportation.

02:34 PM -- Mr. Larry Friedberg and Ms. Carol Lewis, both of the DPA's Office of the State Architect, testified about House Bill 12-1348 from a neutral perspective. Mr. Friedberg briefed the committee on a capital construction request, which appears in House Bill 12-1335 (the Long Bill), that reconfigures space and space allocations within the 1525 Sherman Street building. Mr. Friedberg discussed safety issues associated with expanding access to the tunnels beneath the Capitol Complex. Mr. Friedberg responded to questions regarding the risks facing current state workers who access these tunnels, and the potential for fire in the tunnels. Mr. Friedberg responded to additional questions regarding safety incidents that have occurred in the tunnels, and potential additional uses for the tunnels under House Bill 12-1348.

02:44 PM

Discussion ensued regarding the position of DPA on the bill, as amended by prepared amendment L.001.


BILL:	HB12-1348
TIME:	02:44:56 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Court
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Casso
	Court
	Duran
	Joshi
	Liston
	Todd
	Coram
	Kerr J.

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

02:46 PM

Representative Ferrandino provided closing remarks in support of House Bill 12-1348. The committee discussed issues associated with expanding access to the tunnels underneath the Capitol Complex.


BILL:	HB12-1348
TIME:	02:46:40 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 12-1348, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.
SECONDED:	Coram
		VOTE
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Casso	Yes
	Court	Yes
	Duran	Yes
	Joshi	Yes
	Liston	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Coram	Yes
	Kerr J.	Yes

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

02:50 PM

The committee adjourned.