Bill Summary for Bill Number HB12-1241

Date: 02/22/2012

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB12-1241

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved Amendment L.002 (Attachment G). The motion p . The motion passed without objection.	Pass Without Objection

05:27 PM -- House Bill 12-1241 - Concerning Enterprise Zone Designations

Representative Ferrandino, prime sponsor, began by saying that in order to be designated as an enterprise zone under current law, the area under consideration must meet certain population restrictions and at least one of the following criteria:

an unemployment rate at least 25 percent above the state average for the most recent 12-month period;

a population growth rate less than 25 percent of the state average rate for the most recent 5-year period; or

per capita income less than 75 percent of the state average for the most recent period for which data is available.

Representative Ferrandino noted that House Bill 12-1241 requires any new enterprise zone designation to meet at least two of the above criteria. Furthermore, enterprise zone designations must be reviewed at least once every five years to ensure that the existing zones continue to meet those criteria. Representative Ferrandino distributed amendments L.002 (Attachment G) and L.003 (Attachment H).

Prior to hearing testimony, Representative DelGrosso, Chairman, announced that persons testifying on House Bill 12-1241 should also voice their position on House Bill 12-1251 and House Bill 12-1260, since all three bills affect the state's enterprise zone program.

The following persons testified:

05:51 PM -- Ms. Jennifer Cassell, Office of Economic Development and International Trade, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee questions about the enterprise zone program.

05:53 PM -- Mr. Kevin Tilson, Office of Economic Development and International Trade, responded to committee questions about the 3 percent investment tax credit available through the state's enterprise zone program.

06:30 PM -- Ms. Sallie Clark, representing El Paso County, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Clark spoke to the benefits of the enterprise zone program and stated it has increased the number of jobs in El Paso County. She noted that she supported House Bill 12-1241 but was testifying in opposition of House Bill 12-1251 and House Bill 12-1260 because both bills would result in fewer jobs for the county and penalize the business community. Ms. Clark closed by noting that the five-year review in House Bill 12-1241 is excellent.

06:41 PM -- Ms. Barbara Kirkmeyer, representing Weld County, testified in support of House Bill 12-1241. Ms. Kirkmeyer spoke to the benefits of the state's enterprise zone program. She closed by saying that the county was in opposition of House Bill 12-1251 and House Bill 12-1260.

06:47 PM -- Mr. Tom Clark, representing the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, testified in support of House Bill 12-1241 but was testifying in opposition of House Bill 12-1251 and House Bill 12-1260. Mr. Clark spoke of the large manufacturing businesses that benefit from the enterprise zone program. He closed by saying that House Bill 12-1241 will take an honest look at Colorado's enterprise zone program.

07:05 PM -- Ms. Dianne Schwenke, representing the Grand Junction Chamber, testified in support of House Bill 12-1241 and in opposition of House Bill 12-1251 and House Bill 12-1260.

07:16 PM -- Mr. Joe Kiely, representing the Town of Limon, testified in support of House Bill 12-1241. He closed by noting the benefits of the enterprise zone program to small rural businesses.

07:28 PM -- Mr. George Awuor, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in favor of House Bill 12-1241, House Bill 12-1251, and House Bill 12-1260. Mr. Auwor discussed his research on enterprise zone programs and the history of the state program as it was adopted from the United Kingdom.

07:39 PM -- Ms. Ali Mickelson, representing the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, testified in support of House Bill 12-1241, House Bill 12-1251, and House Bill 12-1260.

07:41 PM -- Ms. Dianne Orf, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in opposition to House Bill 12-1241, House Bill 12-1251, and House Bill 12-1260.

07:46 PM -- Ms. Loren Furman, representing the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, testified in support of House Bill 12-1241, but in opposition of House Bill 12-1251 and House Bill 12-1260.


BILL:	HB12-1241
TIME:	07:52:19 PM
MOVED:	Kagan
MOTION:	Moved Amendment L.002 (Attachment G). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Kefalas
		VOTE
	Acree
	Conti
	Hullinghorst
	Joshi
	Kagan
	Kefalas
	Labuda
	McCann
	Pabon
	Swalm
	Szabo
	Swerdfeger
	DelGrosso

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

Representative DelGrosso, Chair, laid over House Bill 12-1241, as amended, to Wednesday, February 29, 2012.