Bill Summary for Bill Number SB05-099

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB05-099

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes:

Action Taken:

Refer SB 05-099 to the Committee on Appropriations

PASS

01:15 PM -- Senate Bill 05-099 - Concerning An Exemption From Sales and Use Tax on Machines Used in the Telecommunications Industry

Representative Buescher, prime sponsor, explained the provisions of the bill and distributed a handout entitled Telecommunications Tax Reform (Attachment A) to committee members.

The following persons testified:

01:19 PM -- Ms. Stacey Sprinkle, Verizon Wireless, testified in support of the legislation and commented on the problems the telecommunications industry deals with regarding Colorado's tax structure. Ms. Sprinkle commented on her concern about the cost of the legislation enumerated in the bill's fiscal note and discussed some of the secondary benefits that may be derived from the legislation that is not captured in the fiscal note.

01:26 PM -- Mr. Bob Barton, Qwest, testified in support of the legislation and commented on the taxes that the telecommunications industry pays to the state. Mr. Barton closed by discussing the jobs that the industry brings to Colorado.

01:29 PM -- Mr. David Berger, MCI Communications, testified in support of the legislation and commented on the taxes the telecommunications industry pays on its investment in the state. Mr. Berger said the taxes that the industry pays can be better spent on investment.

01:31 PM -- Mr. Russell Sarazon, T-Mobile USA, testified in support of the legislation and commented that Colorado is a strategic state for T-Mobile and the passage of this legislation is important for investment in the industry.

Representative Vigil discussed the relationship between the savings the industry would reap from the sales and use tax exemption and the profits the industry would derive from investment.


BILL:	SB05-099
TIME:	01:39:01 PM
MOVED:	Crane
MOTION:	Refer SB 05-099 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 7-4-2 vote.
SECONDED:	Massey
		VOTE
	Benefield	No
	Cloer	Excused
	Crane	Yes
	Frangas	Excused
	Garcia	No
	Jahn	Yes
	Marshall	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	May M.	Yes
	McCluskey	Yes
	Witwer	Yes
	Judd	No
	Vigil	No
Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS