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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB20B-002

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Dec 1, 2020       Location HCR 0112

SB20B-002 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations
11:05:49 AM  
Representatives Tipper and Exum, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 20B-002. The bill creates the Emergency Direct Assistance Grant Program in the Division of Housing in the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The program will provide grants to individuals who experience financial need due to the COVID-19 pandemic and who may not be eligible for other types of assistance. The division must create rules and administer the program, including contracting with local nonprofit organizations to award grants. The bill transfers $5.0 million from the General Fund to the newly created Emergency Direct Assistance Grant Program Fund. Money in the fund is continuously appropriated to the DOLA. The division must use money in the fund by June 30, 2021, and any unspent money reverts back to the General Fund on June 30, 2022. In addition, the bill transfers $54.0 million from the General Fund to the Housing Development Grant fund to provide housing assistance. These funds must be accounted for separately from existing funds, and the division may use up to three percent for administrative costs. Finally, the bill transfers $1.0 million from the General Fund to the Eviction Legal Defense Fund. No later than January 1, 2021, the State Court Administrator must grant these funds to qualifying organizations that were awarded grants from the fund in the current FY 2020-21. Any remaining money in the defense fund at the end of the year remains in the fund and does not revert to the General Fund.
11:20:47 AM  
Representative Tipper discussed provisions of the bill that she plans to amend. Committee questions followed.
11:27:48 AM  
Annemarie Sunde, Colorado Landlord Legislative Coalition, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.
11:33:05 AM  
Daniel Chase, representing the Department of Labor and Employment, testified to amend the bill and responded to questions.
11:38:29 AM  
Sarah Mercer, Colorado Legal Services, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.
11:44:26 AM  
Bruce Eisenhauer, Department of Local Affairs, testified in support of the bill.
11:44:27 AM  
The committee received written testimony on SB20-002 (Attachment A)
11:47:22 AM  
Representative Tipper responded to questions.
12:07:03 PM  
The committee was called back to order

12:12:39 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.007
Moved Cutter
Seconded Larson
Caraveo
Cutter
Holtorf
Larson
Liston
Mullica
Young
Michaelson Jenet
Singer Excused
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
12:12:40 PM  
Representative Tipper presented amendment L.007.
12:12:49 PM  
Representative Mullica discussed amendment L.008.
12:15:49 PM  
The committee recessed.
12:16:16 PM  
The committee came back to order.
12:42:42 PM  
Representative Tipper responded to amendment L.008.
12:44:30 PM  
Representative Exum commented on amendment L.008. Committee members commented on the amendment.
12:55:15 PM  
The bill sponsors made closing comments.
12:58:06 PM  
Committee members commented on the bill.

01:03:53 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 20B-002, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Singer
Seconded Cutter
Caraveo Yes
Cutter Yes
Holtorf Yes
Larson No
Liston Yes
Mullica Yes
Young Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Singer Yes
Final YES: 8   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS