Joint Committee Committee on Executive Committee of the Legislative Council (08/17/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Date:	08/17/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	11:31 AM to 12:14 PM	May	X
		Morse	X
Place:	SCR 354	Penry	X
		Weissmann	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Carroll T.	X
	Senator Shaffer B.	Shaffer B.	X

This Report was prepared by
	Christie Lee
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Review of Capitol Complex Security Senate Television Legislative Budget Websense		- - - -

11:31 AM -- Review of Capitol Complex Security

Senator Shaffer called the committee to order and explained that the first item on the agenda regarding capitol security stemmed from a discussion at the July 13, 2009, meeting.

11:32 AM -- Captain Leonard Dittman, Colorado State Patrol, explained the main areas of capitol security:

troopers and agents for the governor;
the dispatch center which is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week to monitor cameras among a number of other duties;
uniformed troopers throughout the capitol and at the security checkpoints; and
uniformed security guards at the security checkpoints.

Mr. Dittman listed the benefits of having the security checkpoints. He specifically noted that the checkpoints funnel everyone entering the building through two entrances, which allows the patrolmen to seize weapons and identify potential suspects or threats. Mr. Dittman added that 200 weapons were seized last year at the checkpoints. He also explained that in the event of an emergency, troopers and security guards are available on site. Mr. Dittman explained that security funding for the capitol comes from various places, but the money that comes from the legislature goes to personnel costs for troopers' salaries.

11:36 AM

Representative Weissmann asked the Captain to explain the need for two access points and not just one. Mr. Dittman stated that they decided on two mostly for convenience and to have one entrance on each side of the building for staff. He also added that a handicap entrance must be available so there must be one on the ground level. Speaker Carroll asked about holding a more in-depth meeting, similar to a 2007 briefing, with Colorado State Patrol in an executive session so the committee can talk more in depth about particular issues. Senator Penry stated that critics of the current level of capitol security argue that the incident that spurred the implementation of the checkpoints proves that the old system worked well and asked Captain Dittman to comment. Captain Dittman stated the checkpoints allow troopers to be more pro-active rather than completely reactive. Representative May talked about the 2007 briefing and the suggestions that came out of the meeting. He also talked about some holes that were found in the current system. Captain Dittman stated that there are always holes, but he feels that the building is much safer since the 2007 implementation of security.

11:44 AM -- Senate Television

Mike Mauer, Director, Legislative Council Staff, discussed the issue regarding Senate television. He stated that, while all of the equipment for Senate television was purchased by the end of the last fiscal year, $15,600 for design, installation, and training has yet to be completed. Mr. Mauer explained that a request for a roll-forward from the State Controller was denied, so now the money will need to be used from this year's budget to cover the costs. In order to do so, he explained that President Shaffer will need to sign a voucher.

11:46 AM -- Legislative Budget

Senator Shaffer explained that a handout would be distributed from himself and the Speaker regarding budget cuts (Attachment A).

11:46 AM -- Mike Mauer, Director, Legislative Council Staff, explained that the President and the Speaker worked with the Legislative Management Team to prepare some ideas for cutting the budget. Mr. Mauer explained each suggestion provided in the budget cut proposal:

take the equivalent of 12 furlough days;
restrict the budget for a special session;
no out of state travel for legislators;
delay computer leases for members; and
have no interim committees in 2010.

11:48 AM

Mr. Mauer added that according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado ranks 47th in spending per capita on the legislative branch and 45th in when measured by the percentage of general government spending dedicated to the legislature. In response to a question from Representative Weissmann, Mr. Mauer explained that a bill will be needed next session in order to suspend statutory interim committees such as the Transportation Legislation Review Committee in the 2010 interim.


BILL:	Legislative Budget
TIME:	11:50:28 AM
MOVED:	Carroll T.
MOTION:	Move to accept the budget cuts for the legislature as provided in the August 17, 2009, memorandum from President Shaffer and Speaker Carroll (Attachment A). The motion passed 6-0.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	May	Yes
	Morse	Yes
	Penry	Yes
	Weissmann	Yes
	Carroll T.	Yes
	Shaffer B.	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:52 AM -- Websense

President Shaffer brought up the issue of Websense, the legislature's web security software, under other committee business. He talked about the effect the blockage has on the ability of staff to communicate and research issues. Representative Weissmann stated that he would like to remove the program.

11:54 AM

Mike Mauer, Director, Legislative Council Staff, asked the committee to consider some issues before completely removing Websense. He talked about the virus blockers, anti-advertising settings, and the importance of leaving basic security protections intact.

11:54 AM -- Michael Adams, Director, Legislative Information Services, testified on the Websense issue. He stated that one of the main advantages in having the program is that it is a pro-active way to stop potential harmful sites. Representative May asked whether Websense is used in place of anti virus protection. Mr. Adams explained that Websense protects against web destinations and that other anti viral programs are used in addition to Wensense. Representative May asked how much money is paid for Websense and who decides what is blocked. Mr. Adams stated that it costs about $8,000 a year and that he took Websense's recommendation in what should be blocked and then received input from the directors of the Legislative Management Team regarding any additional changes. He explained that some sites are quota timed and not completely blocked. Senator Penry stated that the biggest problem is media streaming. Senator Morse asked about taking streaming off. Senator Penry listed some sites that are blocked and causing problems for staff and asked why they were blocked. There was a discussion about why certain types of sites are blocked.

12:05 PM

Representative May said he has an issue having people decide what sites are allowed and what are not. Speaker Carroll talked about finding a middle ground that would provide security and also not block everything. President Shaffer talked about the number of complaints he has received about the amount of blockage. He suggested tabling the issue until the next meeting to allow Mr. Adams to offer suggestions. Senator Penry suggested having Mr. Adams hold a meeting with staff and come up with an agreement. There was a discussion about having the Executive Committee be the body that decides what sites are blocked under the program.


BILL:	Websense
TIME:	12:13:07 PM
MOVED:	Penry
MOTION:	Move to allow Legislative Information Services to work with staff in order to make suggested changes to Websense. The motion passed 6-0.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	May	Yes
	Morse	Yes
	Penry	Yes
	Weissmann	Yes
	Carroll T.	Yes
	Shaffer B.	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:14 PM

The committee adjourned.