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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 01/08/1998 -Admi Listrative Services Cit of Fort Collins •r A I U II I~I This update is designed to keep you informed of the legislative activities undertaken by the City of Fort Collins.It is provided bimonthly,throughout the legislative session,following every Council-Staff Legislative Review Committee meeting.Please direct all questions and comments regarding this update to Blair D.Leist via e mail or extension 6796.Thank you. I.Minutes of the January 8,1998 meeting II.Enclosures Update on Endangered Species Act Reauthorization Draft Agenda Item Summary Draft Resolution Attachment A:Problems and Needs with the Current Endangered Species Act Miscellaneous Recommended CML Positions on State-Local Finance Issues City of Fort Collins Staff Position Paper:Solid Waste Initiative 1998 CML Legislative Workshop Brochure 1998 Legislation Preview 300 LaPorte Avenue •P0.Box 580 •Fort Collins,CO 80522-0580 (970)221-6790 •FAX (970)221-6329 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS Council Members Ann Azari Mayor (970)221-6505 Scott Mason Councilmember 221-6505 Will Smith Mayor Pro Tem 221-6505 Staff Members John Fischbach City Manager Guy Boyd Poudre Fire Authority, Director of Administrative Services 221-6570 Stewart Ellenberg Risk Manager 221-6774 Many Heffernan Assistant to the Director of Cultural,Library and Recreational Services 221-6064 Randy Hensley Transportation Services 221-6608 Diane Jones Deputy City Manager 221-6505 Alan Krcmarik Finance Director 221-6788 Blair Leist Assistant to the Director of Administrative Services 221-6796 Legislative Affairs Coordinator Gale McGaha Miller Water Quality Technical Manager 221-6231 Rita Davis Senior Project Manager,Police Services 221-6628 Rondall Phillips Director of Transportation Services 221-6615 Steve Roy City Attorney 221-6520 Tom Shoemaker Natural Resources Director 221-6263 Michael Smith Water/Wastewater Utilities Director 221-6681 Liz Stroh Integrated Resources Manager 221-6522 Bill Switzer Utility Economist,Light and Power 221-6713 Tom Vosberg Community Planning and Environmental Services Policy Analyst 221-6224 Kevin Wilson Fire Marshall,Poudre Fire Authority 221-6570 Brian Woodruff Environmental Planner 221-6604 Legislative Review Committee Council Member-Staff Meeting Meeting Minutes for January 8,1998 Council Attendance:Scott Mason,Will Smith Staff Attendance:Stewart Ellenberg,Susie Gordon,Diane Jones,Marty Heffernan,Alan Krcmarik,Gale MeGaha-Miller,Ron Phillips,Tom Shoemaker,Liz Stroh,Bill Switzer,Tom Vosburg,Kevin Wilson,Blair D.Leist (Recorder) Endangered Species Act Reauthorization (ESAR) Water Utilities and Natural Resources have completed a joint analysis,including a draft resolution,AIS and letter to our Congressional delegation,of the Endangered Species Act Reauthorization (ESAR).The analysis recommends support of the ESAR with suggested guidelines (attached).The action to be taken as approved by the LRC,is to: 1.Submit the draft resolution and AIS for the February 3,1998 Council meeting. 2.Send our Congressional representatives the position letter and resolution that recommends direction for the ESAR,rather than specific comments on each of the legislative proposals that are likely to emerge during the legislative session. II.Land Use and Takings Issues H.R.1534,The Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 1997 Tom Vosburg has drafted a letter of opposition,for the Mayor’s signature,which will be sent to our Congressional delegates. State Land Use Bills According to CML,there may be relatively few land use bills introduced. Annexation Rep.D.Owens (Greeley)has introduced an annexation bill which would enable neighborhood groups/residents to petition against municipal annexations. III.CML Executive Board Update Beer and Liquor Stings:CML staff is working to negotiate an agreement that would provide consistent guidelines in beer and liquor sting operations.If accepted,it would offset the need for future legislation and potentially initiate changes in existing related laws. Action:Ron Phillips will provide information to the Clerks Office and Police Services. Deregulation:Legislation is again expected dealing directly with deregulation and/or with directing studies of deregulation. State and Local Finance Issues:See attached. 0 Transportation:Currently,fifty percent of the Specific Ownership Tax (vehicle registrations)goes to school funding.Current discussions have suggested that this money be diverted to transportation.A second argument suggests that instead of diverting these funds,that General Fund monies be used to backfill the fifty percent into transportation funding.No agreement has yet been reached Tax Reform:CML staff has sent a letter to Senator Norton expressing municipal positions on tax reform. IV.Review of Upcoming Legislation A memorandum prepared by the Senate Republican Press Office on the upcoming session was reviewed.See attached. V.Solid Waste Initiative This bill is the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s (CDPHE) response to Governor Romer,who,after he vetoed RB 1272 last June,charged the CDPHE to work with stakeholders to develop a revised comprehensive approach to solid waste in Colorado.The initiative primarily concerns extension of landfill fees ($.30 per cubic yard)that are collected to remediate Superfiind sites,and different ways to spend those revenues.It also addresses “special waste”disposal,and the State’s role in solid waste management.Municipalities do not have a primary stake in the regulatory and fee issues covered by this bill (county governments are more directly affected).Rowever,the City would stand to benefit if,as proposed,the State is authorized to have a stronger and better defined role in solid waste management,and if levels of support for local efforts (through grants,technical assistance,recycling and waste reduction programs)are increased. Action:Monitor VI.Other Business 1.Doug Bruce is once again taking aim at taxation.His latest proposal would roll-back taxes and limit de-Brucing actions by local governments.The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the proposal.If denied,Bruce may come back with alternate proposals;no information is available on their contact. 2.HB 1005 regarding business private property tax has been introduced. Respectfully Submitted, Blair D.Leist January 8,1998 I ~FT -D~FT-D~FT - AGENDA ITEM SuMMARY FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL ITEM NUMBER: DATE:February 3,1998 STAFF:Tom Shoemaker Gale McGaha-Miller SUBJECT:Resolution 98--n Supporting Reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act RECOMMENDATION: Staff and the Legislative Review Committee recommend adoption of the Resolution. EXECUTiVE SUMMARY: The U.S.Congress is considering reauthorizing and amending the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA).Resolution 98—XX establishes policy direction for the City’s comments to our Congressional delegation regarding the ESA. The 1997-1998 Legislative Agenda,City Plan,and the 1992 Natural Areas Policy Plan all contain adopted policies to protect endangered and threatened species,their habitats,and other natural features.The City has very active programs and broad community support for the conservation of important natural areas and ecosystems and relies,in part,on federal legislation to achieve locally adopted goals.In turn,local goals and programs were developed to support broader national goals for species and ecosystem protection. Based on these factors,the City should actively support reauthorization of the ESA and amendments to the law that strengthen its effectiveness in protecting threatened and endangered species and their habitats and promoting the recovery of such species. BACKGROUND: Reauthorization of the ESA is an important issue to the Fort Collins community.The existing law and any new legislation may affect our community in at least two ways.We are both part of the regulated community affected by the ESA and we have our own proactive local programs to protect endangered,threatened,and rare species and their habitats within our community and in the surrounding region. 0 In the regulatory context,ESA requirements affect City-sponsored projects in that we often need to conduct site surveys to ensure that there are no threatened or endangered species likely to be affected by our projects.Although there are federally-listed species present in the Fort Collins area,so far,we have experienced few local conflicts between City-sponsored or City-regulated projects and ESA requirements.The Water Utility has been faced with extensive involvement in ESA issues related to the effects of the operation of our water supply reservoirs on habitats of threatened and endangered species located in the Platte River valley in central Nebraska.While this regional issue,related to water development issues in Colorado,Wyoming,and Nebraska has been one of the most contentious endangered species conflicts in the country,the City has fostered and participated in ongoing,collaborative efforts to develop a regional conservation plan. Our local Natural Areas Program has several components that are directed at local protection of threatened and endangered species and the local habitats of importance to them.Our survey and research efforts have defined the portions of the community that are important to these species,as well as species of local concern.Our land use regulations require that these areas be protected,as much as possible.We have acquired several local sites of significance to threatened and endangered species.And our public outreach efforts foster community understanding of the needs of rare species and ecosystems and the importance of local efforts in achieving overall conservation and recovery goals. Overall,the City’s adopted policies,and our approach in the regulatory arena,have been supportive of federal,state,and local efforts to protect threatened and endangered species, their habitats,and other sensitive natural features.This has been established in the Natural Areas Policy Plan,City Plan,and in the 1997-1998 Legislative Agenda.The latter specifically says that we “oppose legislation that reduces the existing federal and state protection for wetlands,wildlife habitats,and other sensitive natural areas.” There is clear need for continued federal endangered species legislation and for improvements and ethancements to make endangered species protection and recovery programs more effective.As Congress considers reauthorizing the ESA,there are certain to be numerous bills and fast-moving amendments,accompanied by intense negotiations. It will be very difficult to follow the changes as they occur,and to evaluate each of them for their potential effect.As a result,staff recommend that the City provide general comments to our Congressional delegation which establish the directions in which we would like to see legislation developed.To the extent feasible,we can also provide specific comments on various versions of the legislation. Staff recommends that the City’s position on reauthorization of the ESA be as follows: Support reauthorization of the ESk with amendments that strengthen protection efforts and make the act more effective. Support changes that place greater emphasis on recovery planning and implementation. •Support changes that encourage recovery planning efforts to occur on an ecosystem-level or watershed basis and that address multiple species. •Support additional provisions for involvement of affected parties,conservation organizations,and the public at large in the review and decisionmaking under the act. •Support provisions that require the development of Habitat Conservation Plans,recovery plans,and other recovery efforts with clearly defined terms and conditions.Support provisions that allow reopening such plans to review and modii&them under well defined circumstances and time lines (i.e.five to ten years). •Support provisions requiring biological goals to measure the success of recovery plans. •Support provisions that provide access to decisionmaking to affected parties and the public. •Support provisions that provide incentives to non-federal entities,including local governments and private landowners for voluntary efforts to protect endangered and threatened species. •Support amendments that increase federal education and technical assistance programs. •Support adequate finding and staffing to implement the act. These general statements should help legislators know the City’s position with respect to the ESA and guide the staff and LRC in making specific comments on particular legislative proposals.In addition,staff have prepared a list of items (Attachment A)that we believe would improve the ESA and its implementation.The list can be included with position letters to the congressional delegation,which staff are also preparing for signature by the Mayor. DRAFT -DRAFT -D~FT - RESOLUTION 98--fl OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS SUPPORTING REAUTHORIZATION OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT WHEREAS,the U.S.Congress is considering reauthorizing and amending the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA);and WHEREAS,the 1997-1998 Legislative Agenda,City Plan,and the 1992 Natural Areas Policy Plan all contain adopted policies to protect endangered and threatened species,their habitats,and other natural features;and WHEREAS,the City of Fort Collins has very active programs and broad community support for the conservation of important natural areas and ecosystems and relies,in part,on federal legislation to achieve locally adopted goals;and WFIER.EAS,the City of Fort Collins is also part of the regulated community affected by the Endangered Species Act;and WHEREAS,the Legislative Review Committee of the City Council has determined that there is need for continued federal endangered species legislation and for improvements and enhancements to make endangered species protection and recovery programs more effective;and WHEREAS,the City Council wishes to communicate to our Congressional representatives the City’s position with respect to reauthorizing the ESA; NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS,as follows: Sectionl.That the Council of the City of Fort Collins supports reauthorization of the ESA~with amendments that strengthen protection efforts and make the act more effective. Section 2.That the U.S.Congress consider amendments to the ESA that accomplish the following objectives: •Encourage recovery planning efforts to occur on an ecosystem-level or watershed basis and to address multiple species. Include additional provisions for involvement of affected parties,conservation organizations,and the public at large in the review and decisionmaking under the act. 0 Require the development of Habitat Conservation Plans,recovery plans,and other recovery efforts with clearly defined terms and conditions;such plans should include provisions that allow reopening for review and modification under well defined circumstances and time lines (i.e.five to ten years). •Require biological goals be established to measure the success of recovery plans. •Provide access to decisionmalcing to affected parties and the public. •Provide incentives to non-federal entities,including local governments and private landowners for voluntary efforts to protect endangered and threatened species. •Increase federal education and technical assistance programs. •Provide adequate finding and staffing to implement the act. Section 3.That the Mayor and members of the Legislative Review Committee communicate the City’s position with respect to the ESA to members of the Colorado Congressional delegation. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 3rd day of February, A.D.1998. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk Attachment A Problems and Needs with the Current Endangered Species Act (ESA) Several bills are being introduced for the reauthorization of the ESA.The following items are issues that an enhanced ESA could address to improve the act,making it easier to implement consistently and more effective overall.Rather than support or oppose individual bills,Fort Collins submits this list to help legislators know the City’s position, and as an aid in revising draft bills. •Regional collaboration in planning. •Problem --Focus on single species,or small area in recovery planning or habitat conservation planning efforts. •Need --Conduct planning on ecosystem or watershed level so that multiple species may be considered at once. •Problem --Limited involvement of all stakeholders and public in planning efforts. •Need --Improve process for collaborative planning to allow affected interests, conservation organizations,and public to be involved in planning and implementation. Section 4:Listing and de-listing procedures. •Problem --Anyone can petition a listing,and the scientific evidence is not always there. •Problem --Warring experts. •Problem --Strong scientific basis is currently required in the Act,but not always used in practice. •Problem --Species definition needs more scrutiny (e.g.distinct population segment of otherwise populous species). •Need --Peer-reviewed scientific data. •Problem --De-listing a species is nearly impossible. •Need --Time lines and guidance for listing and de-listing need to be better defined. •Problem --Large backlog of candidate species for federal protection. •Need --Increased funding for research on population status,habitat needs, survival threats,and protection needs of candidate species. •Need --Increased staffing for rulemaking on listing of candidate species. •Critical Habitat delineation problems. •Problem --land has been restricted as suitable habitat for an endangered species that has never been found there. •Need —Better habitat delineation and flexibility in habitat definition to address multiple species and competing species. •Recovery Plans. •Need --Increased emphasis on completion and implementation of recovery plans. •Need --Plans that clearly define terms and conditions while allowing reopening under well defined circumstances and time increments. •Need --Specific biological goals in plans and benchmarks to measure progress. •Need —Opportunity for landowners,as well as the public,to participate in discussions on recovery plans. Section 7: •Problem --Protracted timelines and inconsistencies in terms of Biological Opinions.There are no limitations on the costs of USFWS alternatives proposed. •Need--Some middle ground in terms of “taking”so that it is not an all or nothing issue.There may be cases where very limited taking may be justified. Such conditions need to be defined. •Problem--Biological opinions only focus on continued survival of species, not on recovery. •Need --Include evaluation of impact of projects on recovery of species within biological opinions. Section 10:Incidental Taking. •Need --Greater use of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs)that outline likely impacts of incidental taking,list steps to be taken to minimize and mitigate impacts and discuss alternatives considered and why they were not used. •Need --Plans that are drawn up in a cooperative effort between project participants and regulators,subject to public participation requirements. •Need--Formalize the use of HCPs that clearly define terms and conditions, subject to reopening under defined circumstances. Safe Harbor:A new concept. •Need --Codi&use of Safe Harbor when a recovery plan is successful and species begin to increase.Current practice dictates even greater burdens on project owners to maintain these increased levels.Safe Harbor concepts would attempt to reward successful recovery plans by not increasing regulatory burden but ensuring continued success. Public Outreach and Involvement. •Problem --Fear of regulation and costs of endangered species protection by landowners. •Need --Education and involvement of landowners in endangered species recovery planning efforts. •Need --Technical assistance to non-federal parties interested in voluntary efforts to benefit endangered species. •Need --Financial incentives to non-federal parties involved in endangered species protection efforts. MISCELLANEOUS RECOMMENDED CML POS~ONS ON STATE-LOCAL FINANCE JSSUES •Generally oppose further sales,use &property tax exemptions mandated by state law. •Generally oppose state legislation or regulations increasing municipal costs. •Generally oppose additional cash funding reliance by state on programs of general municipal interest or benefit. •Generally oppose further “off-the-top’expenditures from the HUTP for non-highway purposes. Support increased state funds for highways,streets and roads and other modes of transportation contingent upon equitable distribution. •Support continued or increased funding of state trails program,state community forestry program, &state low &moderate income housing program •Support flaIl funding of Department of Revenue Auditing and Compliance Division. 0 City of Fort Collins Staff Position Date:January 6,1998 Bill Number:Solid Waste Initiative --1998 Legislative Session (number not yet assigned) Official Bill Summary:(first draft August 1997)“The existing title creates the hazardous substances response fund,used to provide the state match for the Superfünd program.The first paragraph is basically the same as existing law.The second paragraph is new --it provides the legislative declaration for a portion of the solid waste fee to be used for solid waste management.” CML Position:supportive Bill Sponsor(s):Norma Anderson (tentative) Committee:none assigned Factors/Organizations Driving the Legislation:Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment --Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division.This bill is CDPHE’s response to Governor Romer,who,after he vetoed HB 1272 last June,charged the CDPHE to work with stakeholders to develop a revised comprehensive approach to solid waste in Colorado. Bill Analysis:The initiative primarily concerns extension of landfill fees ($.30 per cubic yard)that are collected to remediate Superfünd sites,and different ways to spend those revenues. It also addresses “special waste”disposal,and the State’s role in solid waste management.A first draft was reviewed in public meetings this fall,and changes have reportedly been made to reflect comments,especially from industry (trash hauling companies and landfill operators). Municipalities do not have a primary stake in the regulatory and fee issues covered by this bill (county governments are more directly affected).However,the City would stand to benefit if,as proposed,the State is authorized to have a stronger and better defined role in solid waste management,and if levels of support for local efforts (through grants,technical assistance, recycling and waste reduction programs)are increased. Staff Recommendation:It will be in the community’s interests if this bill passes,and the City should continue to monitor its progress.Despite the fact that Colorado ranks 47th in the country in the amount of resources devoted to solid waste programs,Fort Collins has adopted progressive policies about solid waste reduction and resource conservation.We have created successful waste diversion and recycling programs with little leadership or assistance from the State,which would have been very welcome.This bill contains funding mechanisms for helping support local projects and suggests increasing the State’s efficiency and resources for solid waste management. Staff Lead Person:Susie Gordon,Sr.Environmental Planner,Natural Resources Dept. The General Assembly in 1998 will affect municipal interests— What will you do about it? To help municipal officials understand pend ing state legislation,the Colorado Municipal League will hold its annual Legislative Workshop on Thursday,Feb.5.This day-long workshop will focus on key municipal issues before the 1998 General Assembly,the League’s legislative program,and what you as a municipal official can do to influence the legislative process. The workshop is an excellent opportunity for — municipal officials to learn about the legisla tive process and its importance to cities and towns.This workshop will feature several concurrent sessions to meet the growing inter-* est in legislative issues by workshop attendees.• Following the workshop,there will be a leg- islative reception at the League’s office,1660 3 Lincoln St.,Suite 2100 (see map inside).We also encourage you to arrange meetings with your legislators while you are in Denver. The CML Policy Committee will meet Friday, Feb.6,at the Adam’s Mark Hotel.We urge Policy Committee members to attend the workshop because the information to be dis cussed will be relevant to them. For overnight accommodations,CML suggests calling the Adam’s Mark Hotel,1550 Court Place,(303)893-3333;the Cambridge Hotel, located at 1560 Sherman St.(about four blocks from the Adam’s Mark)1-800-877- 1252;or the Comfort Inn,401 17th St. (across from the Brown Palace Hotel),(303) 296-0400. We look forward to seeing you February 5 in Denver. C C’C’ —4_•~—%I..V~N O\N C.o\o-~c~—:~Q\r~O\$‘-I — .400 .4 00 C~4 ~0 ~ (-.4 . •‘0~~ t~tG •~-“ ~~~1 ;~—~0 4)‘4 -~0t~2 EU-co 4—0 ~- o .n ‘t 0UO\1 ON o •-~R.0 I I i~G.its,IIItc.~14° E 0 4,tcs f-i N ON N~q~U: 1.Z Q~,-.O~O C —~cr’l 02 -~.0 00C.4 •‘~ ~ Osp.—, -~>t_0 ~..0 4-.0 ‘4 Os %—Ir)m 0I.00 00 -II eq ~2 I~0I‘4- I.IIo Ic:4.’CLn OsI- Os0.U: 4,U Un Os 1.’ø.~-z I ~fl’~~3g’o0 4,—4) Os-~-~p. CML 1998 Legislative Workshop Thursday,Feb.5,1998—Adam’s Mark Hotel,1550 Court Place,Denver -.4- -3 -4 -~ t C >1 0I.S0 a)z 00S 4) -~ ‘U0. C) C 0V (V ‘.40 00 1:45-2:45 Federal Issues Update Concurrent What’s happening at the nation’s Sessions capitol of municipal interest?A distinguished panel will discuss the question. Speakers:Ginnie Kontnik,chief of staff;US.Sen.Ben Nighthone Campbell;Frank Shafroth.chief lobbyist,National League of Cities;Marge Price,federal lobbyist Transportation Finance This panel will review one of the most important issues facing the state and local governments, especially the shareback issue. 2:45-3:00 Afternoon break 3:00-4:00 The State of State—Municipal Relations Gov.Roy Romcr has been invited to discuss emerging state-municipal issues. 4:30-6:30 League Open House A reception for municipal officials and legislators will be held at the League’s office,1660 Lincoln St., Suite 2100.(See map below) 8:15-8:45 Registration and coffee 8:45-10:15 1998 General Assembly, What Municipal Officials Can Anticipate The League’s lobbyists will present an overview of state legislative activities affecting municipal interests and review the League’s own 1998 legislative program. 10:15-10:30 Coffee break 10:30-11:45 Tax Policy Concurrent How is the Legislature addressing Sessions the key issue of tax reform and tax policy?A panel of legislators and other state officials will address the question. Land Use This panel will focus on what kind of annexation and growth management bills are pending before the Legislature. Noon-i :30 Lunch:Legislative Leaders and Municipalities Various members of the Legislature’s leadership are confirmed as speakers to review 1398 Statehouse activity of municipal concëtn•• Elected officials enrolled in the Municipal Elected Officials’Leadership Training Certificate Program will receive 3 credits toward the program by attending the full workshop.Enrollment and attendance forms for the program will be available at the workshop. Cull Connection—Come demo the new and exciting Internet version of this popu lar source of timely legislative and munici pal information. 0 4-. F-. 0-cIn-z :J I 0 C -~p. 4, 4-, C0 40 C. 1998 Legislation Preview Legislation listed is based on issues and interim committee reports. Transportation -Extend SB I or alternative long-term funding -$100 million in transportation funding next year with local share back option -RTD board restructuring (Perimutter)(Mutzenbaugh) -Continue Colorado Motor Vehicle Dealer Licensing Board -Graduated driver&licenses (Morrison) -Juvenile drivers license revocation for marijuana offenses -State crin-iinal penalties and fines for cruising (Mace) Insurance -Repeal state mandatory insurance laws (Tebedo) -Expand duties of state consumer counsel office to include insurance (J.Johnson) -Medical fee schedule bill -standardize compensation rates for injuries -Verbal threshold bill -written injury threshold rather than monetary threshold for ability to sue Schools /Education -School quiet time for reflection (Ament/I-lagedorn) -Ban convicted sex offenders from sitting on school boards (C.Berry) -Standards and assessment testing accountability bill?penalties for schools that do not improve (Dean) -Ban tobacco use in schools (Leyba) -Vouchers -Pay check protection -ensure union dues be automatically deducted without re-sign up every year Social Issues -Ban smoking in cars with children younger than 16 present (Rupert) -Relax drug paraphernalia laws to allow for needle-exchange program -Same sex marriage bill -Partial birth abortion -Parental notification bill -Ask voters to repeal state affirmative action (Paschafl) Business and Finance -Regulate the sale of not-for-profit hospitals (Kaufman) -Re-authorize the state lottery (Bishop) -Shift control of all bingo/raffle games from Secretary of State to Dept.of Regulatory Agencies -Dedicate increased share of used tire recycling fees to disposing tires (Epps/Powers) -Property tax exemption for small business personal property 1 Utility Issues -Electric utility deregulation -Public Service Company increase in rate bill to decrease air pollution Welfare Related Bills -Short-term small business insurance pools to protect employers hiring welfare recipients (C.Berry) Child Welfare Oversight Committee -Task force to study racial!ethnic disparities in child welfare and juvenile justice systems (Grossman) -Sentencing of juvenile misdemeanant (Grossman) Welfare Oversight Committee -Fine for replacing electronic benefits transfer cards (Lawrence) Health Care -Hold managed health care organizations liable if they refuse to pay for recommended medical procedures (Kreutz) -Require state to adhere to health care mandates it gives the private sector (Blickensderfer) Judiciary -Judicial term limits (Thiebaut) -Amend and correct Fair Campaign Practices Act (Anderson!Powers) -Change eviction of certain tenants from “local law enforcement agencies”to county sheriffs -Statute of limitations for claims against contractors (June) -Amend spurious liens laws TABOR Related Bills -$10 million grant program to improve state airports funded through surplus revenue (Thiebaut) -Eliminate TABOR provision from state constitution Tax Reform!Tax Issues -Reduce state income tax rate from 5 percent to 4.75 percent (Lamborn) -County revenue sharing (George) -Tax mail order and Internet sales -Future surpluses refunded through sales tax holiday on clothing for under purchase total of $500 (Blickensderfer) Budget -Medicaid Disproportionate Share --free up $44 million for new on-going programs -Certificates of participation to finance prisons Agriculture -Conffi~ed animal feeding operations (J.Johnson) 2 Children -Fund Children’s Basic Health Plan to draw down federal funds in a 2:1 match -Early care and education enhancement program (George) Criminal Justice -Treatment of sex offenders and what kind of sex offense deserves what kind of punishment -Number of substantive changes in the criminal justice omnibus bill -Domestic violence legislation --make sure Colorado is on the same page with other states Corrections -Criminals work on chain gangs ~pps) -Eliminate cable television for prisoners (Epps) -Shorter sentences for non-violent drug offenders Higher Education -Repeal SB 97-1219 monies for 5 priority higher education priorities (worklorce training,etc.) Police Officers’and Firefighters’Pension Reform Committee -Requires volunteer firefighters pension plans to comply with IRS requirements (Tucker) -Assets held in fire and police members’deferred compensation plans (Sen.Alexander) -Taxability of survivor benefits payable to the survivors of a member of the statewide death and disability plan (Dean) -Remove the statutory upper limit on the monthly pension that may be paid to retired volunteer firefighters (Grampsas) Legislative Audit Committee -Colorado Racing Commission’s authority regarding regulation of participation in race meets (Leyba) -Payments for medically-related services to inmates (Clarke) -Requirements for grants under Youth Crime Prevention and Intervention Program (Linkhart) -Concerning the modification of requirements for the exemption of certain local governments from audits (Taylor) -Inventory of property by local governments (Reeves) -Enterprise status of higher education auxiliary facilities (Bishop) -Extend the state lottery (Bishop) Commiqsion on Privatization -Creation of Comnmission on Government Efficiency (Mutzebaugh) -Managed competition for personnel service contracts entered into by state government (Pflfffier) Transportation Legislation Review Committee -Stiffer penalties for low-riders and high-riders (Powers) -Increased fines for HOV lane violators /create HOT lanes (T’iebabault) -Temporary drivers license permit for those who work in Colorado for 120 days or less (May) -Re-issuance of license plates for all motor vehicles -Eliminates need for field survey performed by professional land surveyor before removing railroad tracks from abandoned rights-of-way (Mutzebaugh) -Stiffens penalties for use of public transportation without paying proper fare (June) -Ports of Entry personnel authority to check for tax-exempt diesel fuel dyed (Swenson) -Expands department of revenue’s authority to enter into motor fuel tax cooperative agreements (May) Old Age Pension Committee -Increase age requirements from 60 to 65 (Pankey) -5 year residency requirement (Kreutz) -Work requirement for able bodied (Pankey) -Tighten eligibility for Colorado’s Aid to Needy Disable Program to coincide with 551 (Weddig) House District 60 Re-Apportionment Committee -Establish new boundaries for House District 44-47,60,61 (McPherson) Water and Land Resource Issues Committee -Standing of political subdivisions to protect property interests (Arnent) -Department of Natural Resources fund to promote conservation of native species (Adkins) -Replacement of depletions from new withdrawals of groundwater in water division 3 (Entz) -Eliminates yearly $1,200 cap on per diem for groundwater commissioners (Bishop) Teacher Evaluation and Dismissal -Speed up the firing of incompetent teachers,limits pay teacher can draw on suspension and requires losing side to pay for cost of appeal (Dean) -Increased training to help administrators make teacher evaluations (Allen) Air Quality Control -Require federal agencies that manage land to reduce emissions (Norton) -Mandate federal government to pay for monitoring visibility levels in national parks (Taylor) -Require State Air Quality Control commission to lessen restrictions that are more stringent than federal regulations (Schauer) -Aijthorize Air Quality Control Commission to Revise Emission Control Regulations -Requests US government to adopt statutes requiring automatic legislative review of all regulations newly adopted by EPA (Mutzebaugh) Mandatory Motor Vehicle Insurance -Civing motorists the choice of coverage levels in liability and PIP packages (Veiga) -Offer deductibles for PIP coverage (Swenson) -Eliminating PIP requirement to include coverage for lost wages (Powers) -Allowing insurance companies to penalize policy holders who go outside network for service (Powers) -Prohibit companies from not insuring motorist solely because they haven’t been insured for more than 30 days (l’ebedo) Other Bills -Require those seeking an identification card to prove they are a legal resident (Mutzebaugh) -Affordable housing measures -Revision of solid waste law and increase in landfill tipping fees -Public Utilities Commission Bill -Govern the activities of for-hire “luxury limousines”