Bill Summary for Bill Number HB12-1272

Date: 03/07/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1272

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved Amendment L.001 (Attachment G). The motion p Refer House Bill 12-1272, as amended, to the Commi	PASS 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.