Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ENERGY

Date:03/19/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:10:02 AM to 11:17 AM
Cadman
X
Hodge
X
Place:SCR 353
Kester
X
Lundberg
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Newell
X
Senator Schwartz
Foster
X
Schwartz
X
This Report was prepared by
David Beaujon
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB09-1247
HB09-1217
HB09-1220
Postponed Indefinitely
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole


10:04 AM -- House Bill 09-1247

Senator Morse, sponsor, requested that the committee postpone indefinitely HB 09-1247. This bill requires the seller of an existing residence to provide the buyer with both energy billing and usage history for the property for the 12-month period immediately preceding the listing of the property.

There was no testimony.
BILL:HB09-1247
TIME: 10:05:15 AM
MOVED:Cadman
MOTION:Moved to postpone indefinitely HB 09-1247. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cadman
Yes
Hodge
Yes
Kester
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Newell
Yes
Foster
Yes
Schwartz
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

10:05 AM

The committee recessed.

10:07 AM -- House Bill 09-1217

Senator Scheffel, sponsor, described the provision of HB 09-1217 concerning the creation of local improvement districts for public utilities. He explained that under state law, counties may fund local improvements through the creation of local improvement districts (LID). Property and sales within a LID may be taxed for specified improvements, including those related to roads and urban drainage. This bill permits counties to use LIDs to finance public utility improvements, such as gas, electric, telecommunication improvements.

The following persons testified on the bill:

10:12 AM --
Doug Dean, Director, Public Utilities Commission (PUC), explained that certain utilities have expressed concern about provisions of the reengrossed bill. The PUC is currently working with affected entities to draft an amendment for Senate Second Reading to address these issues.

10:18 AM --
Jack Hilbert, Douglas County Commission, spoke in support of the bill and explained how LIDs are formed and governed. He also explained how such districts will help citizens fund needed "dry" utility improvements, such as electrical service. He also responded to questions from the committee about the authority of current LIDs to fund utility improvements and other counties that may want to use the authorities granted under the bill.

10:33 AM --
Lance Ingalls, Douglas County Attorney, described how LIDs are formed and responded to questions from the committee about existing districts and their ability to approve utility improvements.

10:43 AM --
David O'Leary, Qwest, spoke in support of the bill and responded to questions about the formation of LIDs by petition and the number of residents who must vote to approve the formation of the district.
BILL:HB09-1217
TIME: 10:52:53 AM
MOVED:Cadman
MOTION:Moved to refer HB 09-1217 to the Committee of the Whole, without amendment. The motion passed on a vote of 7-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cadman
Yes
Hodge
Yes
Kester
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Newell
Yes
Foster
Yes
Schwartz
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

10:54 AM

The committee recessed.

10:56 AM -- House Bill 09-1220

Senator Gibbs, sponsor, distributed Amendment L. 006 (Attachment A) and Amendment L. 007 (Attachment B). Additional testimony on the HB 09-1220 occurred on March 12. The bill was laid over unamended.

090319AttachA.pdf 090319AttachB.pdf

10:58 AM --
Michael Penny, Frisco Town Manager, Summit County, spoke in support of the bill and described the lack of affordable housing in Frisco and Summit County. He also responded to questions from the committee about the effect of deed-restricted housing on values of non-deed restricted housing.

11:05 AM --
Jane Harrington, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill and described the need for deed-restrict housing in resort communities.

11:08 AM --
Jennifer Kermode, Summit Combined Housing Authority, spoke in support of the bill and described how deed restrictions are used to address affordable housing problems in resort communities.
BILL:HB09-1220
TIME: 11:11:20 AM
MOVED:Newell
MOTION:Moved Amendment L. 006. The motion was adopted without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cadman
Hodge
Kester
Lundberg
Newell
Foster
Schwartz
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: TIE
BILL:HB09-1220
TIME: 11:14:48 AM
MOVED:Newell
MOTION:Moved Amendment l. 007. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cadman
Hodge
Kester
Lundberg
Newell
Foster
Schwartz
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


11:14 AM

Senator Gibbs explained that Amendment L. 007 applies to new deed-restricted housing.
BILL:HB09-1220
TIME: 11:15:27 AM
MOVED:Newell
MOTION:Moved to refer HB 09-1220, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 6-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cadman
No
Hodge
Yes
Kester
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Newell
Yes
Foster
Yes
Schwartz
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:16 AM

The meeting adjourned.