Date: 03/03/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-140

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-140 to the CommitteePASS



03:41 PM -- Senate Bill 09-140

Representative Fischer, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 09-140, concerning a requirement that public trustees serve at the pleasure of the governor. Representative Fischer explained that the bill was recommended by the Committee on Legal Services. He explained that the bill clarifies state law to specify that persons appointed to serve as public trustees serve at the pleasure of the governor. He talked about the work load and duties of public trustees and explained that any person serving as a public trustee must report to the governor at such times and on such matters as the governor may require. He addressed questions from the committee members and clarified that the bill would require public trustees to report to their respective counties as well as the governor.

03:42 PM

Rich Gebhardt, Public Trustee, Boulder County, testified in support of the bill, talked about the history of public trustees in Colorado, and explained the need to have public trustees appointed and removed by the governor. He discussed the job description for public trustees and specifically discussed foreclosures and deed release issues. Mr. Gebhardt explained that the bill clarifies the governor's authority to remove appointees and also clarifies annual reporting requirements to the governor. He addressed questions concerning the loss of just cause by public trustees, the need for the governor to have the ability to remove appointed public trustees, and the salaries of public trustees and county treasurers.

03:55 PM

Representative Fischer entered closing comments on the bill.

BILL:SB09-140
TIME: 03:57:13 PM
MOVED:Middleton
MOTION:Moved to refer Senate Bill 09-140 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 10-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:Soper
VOTE
Acree
Yes
Bradford
Yes
Liston
Yes
McKinley
Excused
Middleton
Yes
Schafer S.
Yes
Tipton
Yes
Vigil
Yes
Waller
Yes
Soper
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



03:58 PM

Representative Peniston made comments regarding the committee's upcoming schedule.

03:59 PM

The committee adjourned.