S_SA_2020A 01/29/2020 01:31:17 PM Committee Summary

Rick Dindinger, Director of the State Personnel Board, introduced the board and board appointee Sarah Wager.  The Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment A.

Sarah Wager, appointee to the State Personnel Board, introduced herself to the committee and discussed her interest in serving on the board. She responded to questions from the committee.

Greg Dorman, Resource and Legislative Director at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, introduced the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs and reappointed board members Pat Hammon and Hollie Caldwell.  The Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment B.

Ms. Hammon and Ms. Caldwell introduced themselves to the committee and discussed their interest in serving on the board.

Senator Gardner, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-049 to the committee. The bill allows seniors who qualify for the senior homestead exemption to continue to claim the exemption if they move for reasons of medical necessity. Senator Gardner read a letter in support of the bill from El Paso County Assessor Steve Schleiker.

Chris Stiffler, representing the Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified against the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Alison Bacus, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Paul Bacus, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Gardner wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Senator Winter, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-090 to the committee. The bill extends food donation limited immunity protections from civil and criminal liability to correctional facilities. Senator Winter also distributed and discussed amendments L.001 (Attachment C) and L.002 (Attachment D). Committee members commented on the bill and amendments.

Landon Gates, representing LiveWell Colorado, testified in support of the bill with amendment L.002 and responded to questions from the committee.

Mark Turner, representing the Colorado Nonprofit Association, testified in support of the bill.

Diane Robinson, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill. Senator Winter responded to comments from the witness.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Priola, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-066 to the committee. The bill creates the Highly Effective Teacher Incentive Program in the Colorado Department of Education to award grants to local education providers to provide monetary incentives to attract highly effective teachers to work in low-performing schools.

Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Priola.

Katie Martinez, representing A+ Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Luke Ragland, representing Ready Colorado, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Anne Keke, representing the African Leadership Group, testified in support of the bill.

Kate Mullins, representing Vega Collegiate Academy, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Kelly Caufield, representing Colorado Succeeds, testified in support of the bill.

Amie Baca-Oehlert, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified against the bill and responded to comments from committee members.

Senator Priola discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment E).

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Priola wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Senator Lundeen, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-044 to the committee. The bill transfers 10 percent of net sales and use tax revenue to the Highway Users Tax Fund, to be distributed in accordance with the fund's second stream formula for spending on the construction, reconstruction, repairs, improvement, planning, supervision, and maintenance of the state highway system and other public highways.

Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Lundeen.  They received a packet of materials from Senator Lundeen (Attachment F).

Travis Madsen, representing the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, testified against the bill.

George Twigg, representing Boulder County, testified against the bill.

Mr. Madsen responded to committee member questions.

Josh Mantell, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified against the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Don Wilson, Mayor of Monument, testified in support of the bill.

Mike Foreman, Monument Town Manager, testified in support of the bill.

Kyle Blakely, representing the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists and Senator Lundeen responded to questions from the committee.

Norm Steen, representing the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, testified in support of the bill.

Mike Kopp, representing Colorado Concern, testified in support of the bill.  He also noted support of the bill from the Colorado Contractors' Association.

Greg Fulton, representing the Colorado Motor Carrier Association, testified in support of the bill.

Morgan Cullen, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Kopp responded to questions from the committee. Committee discussion continued.

Grier Bailey, representing the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, testified in support of the bill.

Kelly Sloan, representing the Freedom to Drive Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Lauren Masias, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Lundeen wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.