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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 02/25/1994 -r HPDesk Local Print for Molly DAVIS Start of Item 9. Message.Dated:02/28/94 at 1413. Subject:LRC MEETING MINUTES Sender:Andrea RIEGER /CFC/01 Contents:2. TO:Molly DAVIS /CFC/01 Part 1. FROM:Andrea RIEGER /CFC/01 TO:DISTRIBUTION Part 2. LRC MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 25,1994 12:00 —1:30 Members Present:Chris Kneeland Ann Azari Staff Present:Jerry P.Brown Susanne Edminster Stewart Ellenberg Ken Forest,PR-i Tom Gallier Alan Krcmarik Felix Lee Mike Pretz Andrea Rieger Brian Woodruff 1.SCHOOL FINANCE Ken Forest updated the committee on the school finance act ——The school finance act has passed the House.Peggy Reeves was extremely helpful,and was instrumental in adding an amendment which would require the “J”curve to be studied. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee.It will be heard on March 3 at 1:30.Currently Poudre R-l would receive $3948/student,which is a slight increase over last year. However PR-i’s funding level is 174 out of 176 school districts. Ken feels that this finance act has addressed the equity issues, now needs to address the adequacy issue. There is a proposal out (“Widefield Proposal”)to establish a minimum funding level of $4,100 per student.Twelve school districts or 150,000 students would benefit from this proposal. There is also a rumor that the Senate may try to address Amendment 1 in the school finance act. Ken said that the City’s support has been helpful.We have sent a letter to our Senate delegation expressing our support for the Widefield Proposal.At This point,we should send a letter to the S.Education Committee as well,letting them know we support the Widefield Proposal and the amendment to study the J-curve,and asking them not to address Amendment 1.Ken will assist,and will also let Andrea know if there is an opportunity for Ann Azari to assist further.Also watch for other education bills. 2.FINANCE SB 68 -This bill allows a judgement debtor to pay a minimum amount of debt while enrolled in a debt management plan with a licensed debt adjuster.It lost on 2nd reading. HB 1112 —Regulation of practices related to consumer debt.This bill passed the 2nd reading in the House.3rd reading is scheduled for Feb.25. HB 1296 -Development of local sales and use tax forms.Scheduled for 3rd reading on Feb.25.CML is still working on this bill. The bill won’t hurt us,but we don’t see a need for this bill. 118 1286 —This is the technical elections clarification bill that CML has been working on.This bill clarifies who can vote on special assessing districts.Allows a municipality to pass an ordinance or a resolution designating who can vote on these districts.Has been amended extensively,but the language favorable to us is still intact.Scheduled for 3rd reading on Feb. 25. Tax Increment Financing:Representative Agler has gotten late bill status for a tax increment financing bill.We hear that the bill will allow counties or school districts to veto a city’s ability to use tax increment financing.It will also probably modify the definition of blight and allow judicial review.Will probably be assigned to House Local Government.CML is asking the City to contact the county and the school district for their read on this bill (i.e.,do they support the bill). Heard about this bill this morning.Susanne will send a copy of her information to Frank Bruno.Chris will talk to Janet Duval and to the president of the school board. 3.GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY Stewart testified on HB 1280 (the governmental immunity bill)in the House Judiciary Committee on Feb.15.This bill was quickly amended down to three areas of increased liability: 1.It expands the definition of automobile.Under this expanded definition,the City would be liable for the negligent operation of heavy and other motorized equipment. 2.The City would be liable if it knowingly entrusted the care of minors to a known sex offender.(Would apply to 800 employees/volunteers currently involved in our recreation programs.) 3.The court could allow pre—trial discovery to continue on aspects of the case while the question of governmental immunity is being decided. r Because the impact of the last provision is unknown,it would effectively double our insurance premium,costing the City an extra $154,000 per year. The bill has been assigned to the Appropriations Committee,but has not yet been calendared.Stewart will send cost information on #2 and #3 listed above to CML.Stewart will also work to amend #3 out of the bill.Also suggest that #2 be limited to employees only. 5.POLICE HE 1025 and 1076 are scheduled to be heard in Appropriations today (2/25).SB 90 is still assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and has not been calendared yet.Dave sent letters to all legislators,and followed up with phone calls.We will try to provide a status update at the end of next week (3/4).Also, provide information to citizens and legislators listing the other organizations which oppose these bills. 6.BUILDING INSPECTION HE 1119 originally would have waived the two-year experience requirement for municipal electrical inspectors.However,the bill was amended on 2nd reading,so that this would only apply in counties with 150,000 or less population.LRC agreed that we could work to withdraw this restricting amendment.Felix to draft letters for Mayor’s signature.Bill has been assigned to Local Government in the Senate,but not calendared. 7.NATURAL RESOURCES SB 86 —the trash hauler’s bill seems to be on line.CML’s amendments have been added.As long as these amendments remain intact,the City’s options for trash services will be preserved. Passed Senate on 3rd reading on Feb.17,has been introduced to the House and assigned to the Local Government Committee.Will continue to monitor. HB 1168 —pesticide preemption —several amendments have been added.We have not yet seen the amendments.However,we will forward the amendments to Mike Pretz and Tom Shoemaker/Brian Woodruff for review.If the amendments cause concerns,we will oppose the bill and take appropriate action,as we did last year. HB 1264 concerning the regulation of air pollution:This bill would further restrict the ability of the Air Quality Commission and the Air Pollution Division of the State Health Department to regulate hazardous air pollutants.It adjusts the definition of stationary source and synthetic minor source.The City currently relies on the County and the State to regulate,so restrictions on their ability to regulate impact us.However,even with this bill we will be able to new source review under the Land Guidance System. LRC decided to oppose —Brian to draft letters to our delegation opposing this legislation. 8.PFA RB 1249,would have allowed 75%of police and fire pension funds to be invested in stocks.Was amended down to 65%.Passed 3rd reading on 2/24.Sent to Senate. 9.WATER ISSUES Tom Gallier provided the Committee with a written update on water issues.(Please contact Andrea or Tom for a copy.)Briefly —SB 95 on basin of origin has been amended heavily,and has late bill status.Tom is monitoring.RB 1006,Rep.Jerke’s bill on water export was postponed indefinitely.HB 1027 on water conservancy districts has been amended —Jerry will review from a recreation standpoint. 10.BALLOT INITIATIVES A ballot initiative is out on water -Water III --Signatures are being collected currently.This would put limitations on transbasin water diversions.The Colorado Water Congress is currently discussing and monitoring this.Tom Gallier will forward this initiative to Bob Nastan for his review. There also may be another ballot initiative which would require the direction election of conservancy district boards.It also contains some language making water a “public trust.”Tom will get a legal opinion on what this would do. The title on the “Consumer Protection Act”has been changed to “Governmental Business.”CML has filed to have a re—hearing on the title and the summary with the Secretary of State.The Title Setting Board will review the title and the summary at their next meeting (date unknown to us at this time). CML is currently preparing an analysis of Bruce II or the Election Reform Act.A copy of a Denver Post editorial was included in LRC packets —CML said that the general gist of the editorial appears to be correct. The LRC will discuss how to best provide analysis and information on the ballot initiatives at a later meeting. 11.OTHER BUSINESS - Will hold a staff LRC meeting on March 4,and distribute the minutes to everyone.Next regular LRC meeting will be March 18,as we adjust our schedule to coincide with Council weeks. Will continue to share information on all bills with each other,so that each department/division can respond to appropriate bills. Adjourned —1:30 End of Item 9.