S_SA_2018A 12/14/2018 01:33:54 PM Committee Summary

The committee came back to order. Secretary of State Wayne Williams, Department of State (DOS), presented to the committee. Copies of the DOS - Annual Performance Report for FY 2017-18, the DOS Strategic Plan for FY 2018-19, and the 2019 Departmental Regulatory Agenda were distributed to the committee [Attachments E to G].  Secretary Williams presented information from a handout that was provided to the committee [Attachment H]. He reviewed information regarding voter registration data and discussed inactive voters. He discussed the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award, which is given to high schools that have 85 percent of eligible seniors registered to vote.

Secretary Williams reviewed information regarding the business entities licensed through the DOS. He provided information about charities and notaries public registered with the DOS. Secretary Williams discussed information related to the Elections Division, including unaffiliated voter participation in the primary elections, online voter registration, and voter registration through the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Secretary Williams highlighted the signature verification process for candidate petitions. He discussed the risk-limiting audit process. He reviewed information regarding the national media coverage of the security of Colorado's elections. Secretary Williams discussed voting for military and overseas voters.

Secretary Williams answered questions regarding voter turnout and unaffiliated voters.

Secretary Williams discussed the Business and Licensing Division. He highlighted the My Biz Colorado portal for small business owners. He discussed information about Go Code Colorado and training for notaries public. He answered questions about the funding of elections through business fees and referred to the National Federation of Independent Business v. Williams lawsuit.

Secretary Williams presented on the Information Technology Division. He reviewed information regarding IT security, including the relationship DOS has with the Department of Homeland Security to address cybersecurity. He discussed La Plata County losing internet connectivity on Election Day.

Secretary Williams reviewed information regarding the department's regulatory agenda. He discussed the enforcement of campaign finance disclosure and referenced the Holland v. Williams lawsuit. He discussed the 55 percent threshold to amend the Colorado Constitution and Amendment W, concerning the election ballot format for judicial retention elections, which failed due to the threshold requirement. Secretary Williams discussed the conflicts between the Colorado Constitution and statute concerning petition signature deadlines. He encouraged the legislature to review the recall election laws. He discussed the department's budget request and highlighted the request for funding for the presidential primary.

Secretary Williams answered questions regarding voter service and polling centers.  He discussed the challenges related to finding election judges. The committee thanked Secretary Williams for his service to the state. No witnesses provided public testimony.

Representative Foote called the meeting to order. A meeting agenda was distributed [Attachment A]. Representative Foote stated that Representative-elect Duran was joining the committee. He referenced the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) Fiscal Year 2018-19 Performance Plan, which was distributed to the committee [Attachment B].  The DMVA Fiscal Year 2017-18 Annual Performance Evaluation was also distributed to the committee [Attachment C].

Major General Michael A. Loh, Adjutant General, introduced himself to the committee. He reviewed the handout provided to the committee [Attachment D]. He highlighted information about the Division of the Colorado National Guard and Division of Veterans Affairs. He discussed the composition of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs.

Mickey Hunt, Deputy Executive Director, answered questions from the committee regarding the assistance provided to veterans on the department's website and other outreach efforts. He discussed the online resource center that is being implemented.

Major General Loh answered questions about replacing aircraft for the Colorado National Guard.

Major General Loh continued the presentation by discussing the Division of Civil Air Patrol. He discussed the search and research missions that the Civil Air Patrol and Colorado National Guard was involved in during the last two years.

Major General Loh highlighted the department's budget requests and 2019 legislative agenda.  The DMVA legislative agenda includes providing continuous funding for the Western Region OneSource, establishing a Women Veterans License Plate, and updating the state awards program. He answered questions regarding Colorado National Guard involvement in the recent California wildfires.

Major General Loh continued his presentation regarding the department's performance plan. He highlighted the efforts to address mental health assistance within the department. He reviewed the department goal of increasing understanding of veterans' needs and their customer service experience with veterans service officers across the state. Major General Loh discussed the enhancement of DMVA infrastucture.

Major General Loh reviewed the lean update provided in the handout.  He reviewed the completed lean projects that include improving the department's accounting fuctions and preparing for military support operations.  He discussed the current and future lean projects, which include improving customer service, decreasing time for on-boarding new employees, and developing a unified training model.

Representative Foote acknowledge the arrival of Representative-elect Sirota. Representative Foote discussed the National Guard's involvement in flood recovery. No witnesses participated in public testimony. The committee recessed.