S_FIN_2019A 04/23/2019 06:59:55 PM Committee Summary

Dan Hartman, Department of Revenue, introduced Sandra Bowen.  Ms. Bowen described her interest in and qualifications for the Racing Commission.  Ms. Bowen responded to questions from the committee.

Tom Seaver, Director of the Lottery, introduced the nominees:  Bill Clayton and Jim Bensberg.  Mr. Bensberg described his interest in and qualifications for serving on the Lottery Commission.  Mr. Bensberg responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Clayton described his interest in and qualifications for the Lottery Commission.  Mr. Clayton responded to questions from the committee.

Senators Zenzinger and Coram, bill sponsors, introduced House Bill 19-1255.  The bill creates a license plate for Mesa Verde National Park.

Mary Willis and Elaine Gunnell, Mesa Verde Foundation, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Zenzinger made closing comments on the bill.

Senator Court, bill sponsor, introduced House Bills 19-1257 and 19-1258.  The former allows the state to retain revenue collected above the TABOR limit, with approval from voters.  The latter authorizes the state to spend any retained revenue on public education, higher education, and transportation.

Mayor Herb Atchison, City of Westminster and Metro Mayor's Caucus, testified in support of the bills.

Joshua Ewing, Colorado Hospital Association, testified in support of the bills.

Kevin Vick, Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bills.

Mark Ferrandino, Denver Public Schools and Colorado Association of School Executives, testified in support of the bills.

The panel responded to questions from the committee regarding generating support among voters should the bills become law and the inclusion of rural school districts.  Senator Court also responded, and distributed a handout (Attachment A).

Kevin Bommer, Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bills and distributed a handout (Attachment B).

Carol Hedges, Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in support of the bills.

Randall Wheelock, Clear Creek County Commissioner, testified in support of the bills and distributed a handout (Attachment C).

Tony Milo, Colorado Contractors Association, testified in support of the bills.

Mr. Bommer responded to a question from the committee regarding special districts.  Committee discussion ensued.

Sara Blackhurst, Action 22, testified in support of the bills.

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

Andrea Wilkins, League of Women Voters, testified in support of the bills.

Senator Priola, bill sponsor, and Senator Court made closing comments on the bill.

Senator Lee re-introduced Senate Bill 19-233.  The bill was previously heard by the committee on April 16, 2019.

Senator Court introduced Senate Bill 19-255.  The bill sets the residential assessment rate.  The bill sponsors responded to a question from the committee.

Senator Pettersen, bill sponsor, introduced House Bill 19-1013.  The bill extends the scope of the income tax credit for child care expenses.

Chaer Robert, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment D).

Carol Hedges, Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill's impact on low-income families and the structure of the tax credit.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Committee members made closing comments on the bill, and Senator Pettersen responded to a question from the committee regarding alternatives to the tax credit provided by the bill.

Senators Pettersen and Gardner, bill sponsors, introduced House Bill 19-1174.  The bill establishes requirements related to out-of-network health care services.  Senator Gardner also distributed and described amendments L.062 and L.064 (Attachments E and F).

Senator Tate described amendment L.065 (Attachment G).

Michael Conway, Division of Insurance, testified in support of the bill.  Senator Gardner responded to a clarifying question from the committee regarding the bill.  Mr. Conway responded to questions from the committee regarding the insurance market, savings for consumers, and proposed amendments to the bill.

Mr. Conway responded to further questions from the committee regarding the cost and accessibility of health insurance and the scope of individuals impacted by the bill.

David Freedenson, representing himself, testified against the bill.

Dave Downs, representing himself, testified against the bill.  Dr. Downs responded to a question from the committee regarding medical cost accountability.

Paul Webster, Assure Neuromonitoring, testified against the bill.

Aaron Lynn, representing himself, testified against the bill.

Dr. Freedenson responded to a question from the committee regarding medical industry profits.  Dr. Lynn responded to a question from the committee regarding insurance networks.

Caitlin Westerson, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill.

Kim Bimestefer, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in support of the bill.

Marc Reece, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Bimestefer and Mr. Reece answered questions from the committee.

Andrew Klutman, representing himself, testified against the bill.

Senator Gardner and Senator Pettersen discussed amendment L.062.  Committee discussion ensued.

Senator Tate explained amendment L.066 (Attachment H).  Senator Pettersen commented on amendment L.066.  Senator Pettersen and Senator Gardner answered questions from the committee about amendment L.066.  Discussion ensued.

Further discussion ensued among committee members and the bill sponsors.

Senator Donovan, bill sponsor, introduced House Bill 19-1088.  The bill extends an income tax credit for health care preceptors working in health care professional shortage areas.  Senator Donovan responded to a question from the committee regarding how often the credit is claimed.

Kelly Erb, Colorado Rural Health Center, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Zenzinger, bill sponsor, introduced House Bill 19-1228.  The bill increases the amount of tax credits that the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority may allocate under the Colorado affordable housing tax credit. Senator Tate, bill sponsor, was also present.

Jerilynn Martinez, Colorado Housing and Finance Authority, testified in support of the bill.

Randall Wheelock, Clear Creek County Commissioner, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Martinez responded to a question from the committee regarding the scale of the bill.

Senator Zenzinger distributed a handout (Attachment I).