H_BUS_2020A 02/12/2020 01:32:10 PM Committee Summary

Representative Soper and Representative McCluskie introduced House Bill 20-1137.  The bill makes changes to the Broadband Deployment Board's application for grant funding and how the board assesses those applications.

The bill sponsors provided Amendments L.001, L.002, L.003, L.004, and L.005, along with an unofficial preamended version of the bill (Attachments A - F).

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Kent Blackwell, Delta-Montrose Electric Association, Southeast Colorado Power Association, Yampa Valley Electric Association, and San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, testified in support of the bill.

Virginia Harman, Delta-Montrose Electric Association and Elevate Fiber, testified in support of the bill.

Tony Prendergast, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Geoff Hier, Colorado Rural Electric Association, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Blackwell, Ms. Harman, and Mr. Hier responded to questions from the committee.

Emily Ibach, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.

Jeff Weist, Colorado Cable and Telecommunications Association, testified on the bill from a neutral position if proposed amendments are adopted.

Brandy DeLange, Colorado Municipal League and Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Weist responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Soper described the proposed amendments.

Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions from the committee regarding Amendment L.004.

The bill sponsors made closing remarks on the bill.

Representative Kraft-Tharp and Representative Van Winkle introduced House Bill 20-1154. The bill makes various changes and clarifications to the Workers' Compensation Act of Colorado.

Sonja Guenther, Workers' Compensation Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mark Elliott, Workers' Compensation Education Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Elliott also expressed support of the bill by the AFL-CIO.

Committee discussion ensued regarding the fiscal note.

Representative Arndt and Representative McKean introduced House Bill 20-1182. The bill was recommended by the Statutory Revision Committee and repeals the sales tax exemption for sales to residents of bordering states without a retail sales tax.

Representative McKean introduced House Bill 20-1205. The bill was recommended by the Statutory Revision Committee and repeals the pre-1987 net operating loss deduction.