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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 02/03/2005 -LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE Meeting Summary February 3,2005 Legislative Review Committee present:Ray Martinez,Marty Tharp,Eric Hamrick Staff present:Ron Phillips,Carrie Daggett,Mark Radtke The meeting was called to order by Mayor Martinez at 8:00 a.m. MEETING SUMMARY The meeting summary for the January 20,2005 Legislative Review Committee meeting was approved as written. UPDATES ON PENDING LEGISLATION Two bills dealing with cutting the business personal property tax have been heard in House Finance Committee and await Committee action.Mark Radtke reported that Deputy City Manager Diane Jones testified earlier in the week in opposition to SB 101 that eliminates the business personal property tax (BPPT).The bill was amended to eliminate 5°o of the tax each year for 20 years.The total impact on the City general fund would be just over $4 million.The impact of SB 44,which eliminates BPPT on fully depreciated property would be about $200,000 a year to the City general fund.Ron Phillips added that information gathered by CML shows Colorado to be in the top 10 or 15 states of offering a favorable tax climate for business.Committee members asked for more information on that point. Mayor Martinez and Councilmember Tharp learned at a recent inter-governmental meeting that Colorado’s counties are pushing for an urban renewal authority reform bill that would give counties and other affected local governments the ability to negotiate with cities on their participation in tax increment financing (TIP).Committee discussion centered on the impact this would have on the value of future urban renewal projects.The Committee will await the bill introduction to study the wording. The bill that would require registration of beer keg purchasers (HR 1077)has stalled on the House floor.The Committee holds an oppose position to the bill.Mayor Martinez said the bill gives false hopes to those who believe it will have any impact on underage drinking. NEW LEGISLATION SB 28 adds sexual orientation and gender variance as protected classes for hiring, promotion and compensation.The bill has been sent to Senate Appropriations Committee.Councilmember Kastein had asked the LRC to look at this bill. Councilmember Thaw expressed concerns about some provisions of the bill,saying she 0 would support the measure if it was simply a statement on non-discrimination.Staff has expressed concern about the benefit costs impacts of the bill and allowing the self- definition of gender variance.Councilmember Hamrick moved to take no position on the bill at this time to await guidance from CML.The Committee agreed. The legislature is looking at SB 143 as enabling legislation for the voter-approved Amendment 37 which sets renewable energy minimums for utilities over the next decade. Carrie Daggett said the bill addresses one concern of the City by clarifying that municipal utility plans are not under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission.The Committee voted a conditional support position to the bill pending approval of the bill language by Utilities and Platte River Power. The Committee looked at RB 1183 that increases penalties for underage drinking and supplying alcohol to minors.Councilmember Tharp said while she supports increased penalties,she’s concerned about the provision that gives immunity to someone who supplies liquor to a minor,then calls for emergency help for a minor suffering from alcohol poisoning.Mayor Martinez expressed concern about whether the new penalty provision for minors might allow them to circumvent the juvenile correction system.No action was taken on the bill pending feedback from the City Attorney and Police Services. Mayor Martinez asked the Committee to discuss RB 1133.The bill authorizes electric and gas utilities to levy a 5°o surcharge to support energy conservation programs. Councilmember Tharp clarified that the surcharge was not a mandate on utilities.The Committee voted to support the measure. FUTURE MEETINGS The Committee adjusted the start time for future meetings to 7:30 a.m. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 a.m.