Date: 03/04/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-126

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 09-126 to the Committee of the WPASS



02:52 PM -- Senate Bill 09-126 - Concerning the Multiple Sclerosis Fund

Representative Apuan, prime sponsor, explained that Senate Bill 09-126 extends the voluntary contribution designation (or income tax checkoff) benefitting the Multiple Sclerosis Fund from tax year 2009 through tax year 2011. Money from the fund is used to promote the growth and success of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Contributions are used to fund the society's educational programs and client needs such as exercise equipment, counseling, family support, homecare, and advocacy services. Representative Apuan discussed statistics tied to the persons who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis in Colorado and said that 73 percent of all patients are women. He closed by asking the committee to support the legislation.

The following persons testified:

02:56 PM -- Ms. Kathryn Spritzer, National Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, testified in support of the legislation. Ms. Spritzer said that funding from the checkoff has been over $100,000 per year and is used for a wide variety of support services for people with Multiple Sclerosis. One in 540 people in Colorado suffer with Multiple Sclerosis. She closed by saying that money is also used for primary caregivers and said that after 10 years, employment impacts happen where people change employment, work less hours, or have to make other changes in their lives.

03:01 PM -- Ms. Sheryl Goodman, National Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, discussed the symptoms of persons with MS and closed by urging the committee to support the legislation.


03:03 PM
BILL:SB09-126
TIME: 03:03:54 PM
MOVED:Apuan
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 09-126 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 9-1 vote.
SECONDED:Swalm
VOTE
Apuan
Yes
Benefield
Yes
Gerou
Yes
Kefalas
Yes
Kerr A.
Yes
Lambert
No
Roberts
Yes
Summers
Excused
Swalm
Yes
Frangas
Yes
Judd
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



03:05 PM

Adjourn.