H_SA_2016A 05/09/2016 02:34:12 PM Committee Summary

02:34 PM -- SJR16-039



Representative Willett, sponsor, presented Senate Joint Resolution 16-039, concerning support for the Jordan Cove liquefied natural gas export facility.



Committee members discussed the resolution with Representative Willett.



02:43 PM -- Bonnie Petersen, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the resolution.



02:46 PM -- Diane Schwenke, representing the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the resolution. She responded to committee member questions.



02:54 PM -- Dan Haley, representing the Colorado Oil and Gas Association (COGA), and David Ludlam, representing West Slope COGA, testified in support of the resolution and provided a packet of information (Attachment A). They responded to committee member questions.



16HouseState0509AttachA.pdf



03:08 PM -- Kelly Sloan, representing Wellsource Enterprises, testified in support of the resolution.



















03:10 PM



Representative Willett wrapped up his presentation of the resolution.



Committee members commented on the resolution.

03:13 PM -- SB16-184



Representative Willett, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-184 to the committee. Beginning on January 1, 2017, this bill eliminates the minimum amount of post-judgment interest. It also requires that interest on damages for personal injuries caused by tort be the same rate as post-judgment interest. It changes the date by which the Secretary of State is to establish the annual rate of post-judgment interest from December 31 to January 2 of each year.



Committee members discussed the bill with Representative Willett.



03:21 PM -- Jeff Ruebel, representing the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association and the Colorado Civil Justice League, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee member questions.



03:25 PM -- Ross Pulkrabek, representing the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, testified against the bill and respond to committee member questions.





















03:31 PM -- Kelly Campbell, representing the Property and Casualty Insurers Association, testified in support of the bill.



03:34 PM -- Thomas Neville, representing the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.





03:40 PM



Representative Tyler offered amendment L.002 (Attachment B) and discussed the amendment.



16HouseState0509AttachB.pdf



03:41 PM



The committee recessed.





03:43 PM



The committee reconvened.

03:43 PM



Representative Willet wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

03:47 PM -- SB16-056



Representative Lee, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-056 to the committee. This bill, as amended by the Senate Judiciary Committee, expands whistleblower protections by creating whistleblower review agencies to determine if information about state operations or conduct provided by a state employee is protected from inspection under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), or any other provision of law.



Representative Lee responded to committee member questions about the bill.



03:54 PM -- Jennifer Anderson, representing the Colorado Attorney General's Office, testified in support of the bill.





03:57 PM



Representative Lee offered amendments L.006, L.007, and L.009 (Attachments C, D, and E).



16HouseState0509AttachC.pdf 16HouseState0509AttachD.pdf



16HouseState0509AttachE.pdf

04:02 PM



Representative Lee offered amendment L.010 (Attachment F).



16HouseState0509AttachF.pdf

04:03 PM



Representative Lee wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

04:06 PM -- SB16-200



Representative Vigil, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-200 to the committee. This bill creates the position of Director of Water Project Permitting (permitting director) in the Governor's Office to coordinate the federal, state, and local government permitting of:



• raw water diversion, storage, or delivery projects, including associated hydroelectric facilities and both consumptive and nonconsumptive uses of water; and

• water projects that are either assessed a water quality certification fee or are eligible for financing from the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) Construction Fund.



04:07 PM -- James Eklund, representing the Colorado Water Conservation Board, testified in support of the bill.



04:09 PM -- Chad Vorthmann, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.



04:11 PM -- Becky Brooks, representing the Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.





















04:11 PM



Representative Vigil offered amendment L.007 (Attachment G).



16HouseState0509AttachG.pdf

04:12 PM



Representative Vigil wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

04:15 PM -- SB16-186



Representative Lontine, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-186 to the committee. This bill defines a small-scale issue committee as an issue committee that has accepted or made contributions or expenditures in an amount that does not exceed $5,000 during an applicable election cycle for the purpose of supporting or opposing any ballot issue or question. This bill amends the disclosure, reporting, and registration requirements for small-scale issue committees under the Fair Campaign Practices Act. Requirements are established for small-scale issue committees that accept or make contributions in an aggregate amount during any applicable election cycle of less than $250, between $250 and $5,000 and over $5,000. This bill is repealed on June 30, 2019.



04:18 PM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified in support of the bill.



04:19 PM -- Elena Nunez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.



04:22 PM -- Peg Perl, representing Colorado Ethics Watch, testified in support of the bill.



























04:24 PM



Representative Lontine wrapped up her presentation of the bill.

04:28 PM



The committee recessed.





04:37 PM -- HB16-1468



The committee reconvened.



Representative K. Becker and Speaker of the House Hullinghorst, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 16-1468 to the committee. Pursuant to the Colorado Supreme Court's April 26, 2016, decision in BP America v. Colorado Department of Revenue, oil and gas producers may deduct any costs for transportation, manufacturing, and processing when valuing severed minerals for tax purposes. Beginning tax year 2016, the bill allows producers to deduct only their direct costs for the transportation, manufacturing, and processing of identifiable and measurable oil and gas.



Committee members discussed the bill with the sponsors.



04:55 PM -- Stan Dempsey and Travis Holland, representing the Colorado Petroleum Association, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.

















05:20 PM -- Matt Samelson, representing Western Environmental Law Partners and Conservation Colorado, testified on the bill and responded to committee member questions.





05:25 PM



Representative Becker and Speaker Hullinghorst made concluding comments on the bill.

05:36 PM



The committee adjourned.