Bill Summary for Bill Number HB09-1213

Date: 02/12/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1213

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion Moved to refer House Bill 09-1213, as amended, to	TIE PASS

11:03 AM -- House Bill 09-1213

Representative Gagliardi, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1213, which concerns the creation of the Housing Development Grant Fund in the state treasury to be administered by the Division of Housing for purposes associated with increasing the supply of affordable housing in the state.

11:05 AM

Kathi Williams, Director, Division of Housing, Department of Local Affairs, testified in support of the bill, described the fund distribution, and the process for funding projects through the Housing Development Grant Fund. Director Williams explained that state fiscal rules delay the distribution to grantees and place unrealistic requirements on affordable housing projects. She testified that the bill would remedy this problems by allowing state funds to remain under the Housing Development Grant Program, which would exempt them from state fiscal rules. She addressed questions from the committee members regarding the distribution of state and federal funds by the division.

11:13 AM

Director Williams and Representative Gagliardi addressed questions regarding foreclosure prevention programs offered by the Division of Housing. Committee discussion ensued.

11:18 AM

Rachel Nance, Colorado Association of Realtors, testified in support of the bill and talked about the importance of reserving funds for affordable housing instead of reverting funds back to the state General Fund. She talked about foreclosures affecting the housing market, discussed a past state initiative to increase a real estate transfer tax, and discussed prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

11:22 AM

Joyce Alms-Ransford, Rocky Mountain HDC Inc., testified in support of the bill, described the process of receiving funds from the Division of Housing, and talked about specific projects that have benefitted from state funds. Ms. Alms-Ransford discussed the state fiscal restrictions that create narrow deadlines and can make receiving and spending state funds difficult. She addressed questions from the committee members concerning affordable housing developments.

11:30 AM

William Lunsford, Development Manager, Lakewood Housing Authority, testified in support of the bill and talked about the process of receiving state funds from the Division of Housing. He talked about specific affordable projects in the City of Lakewood, the long time lines for completing projects, and the complications created by the state fiscal rules for affordable housing projects.

11:33 AM

Alana Smart, Housing Colorado, testified in support of the bill, talked about the need to finance affordable housing projects, and discussed the importance of the state providing housing development grants. She explained that state housing grants serve as important start-up funds for affordable housing projects, even though they only make up about 5 percent of a total project budget.

11:37 AM

Bruce Eisenhauer, Deputy Director, Department of Local Affairs, testified in support of the bill and talked about the need for flexibility with housing grant funds in order for the Division of Housing to continue to support affordable housing projects. Mr. Eisenhauer talked about the need for grant funds to remain in the Housing Development Grant Fund, instead of reverting funds back to the state General Fund.

11:41 AM

Representative Gagliardi distributed prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment B) and made closing comments to the bill.


BILL:	HB09-1213
TIME:	11:43:03 AM
MOVED:	Middleton
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Schafer S.
		VOTE
	Acree	Excused
	Bradford	Excused
	Liston
	McKinley
	Middleton	Excused
	Schafer S.
	Tipton
	Vigil
	Waller
	Soper
	Peniston

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 3 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: TIE

11:44 AM

Representative Liston introduced prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment C) and discussed the amendment with committee members. The committee members discussed prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment C).


BILL:	HB09-1213
TIME:	11:44:59 AM
MOVED:	Middleton
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1213, as amended, to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a 8-3 vote.
SECONDED:	Schafer S.
		VOTE
	Acree	Yes
	Bradford	No
	Liston	No
	McKinley	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Tipton	Yes
	Vigil	Yes
	Waller	No
	Soper	Yes
	Peniston	Yes

Final YES: 8 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:54 AM

The committee adjourned.