9CF81F2BDFE581C28725850C0070DD11 Hearing Summary

Representative Soper and Representative McCluskie introduced House Bill 20-1137.  The bill makes changes to the Broadband Deployment Board's application for grant funding and how the board assesses those applications.

The bill sponsors provided Amendments L.001, L.002, L.003, L.004, and L.005, along with an unofficial preamended version of the bill (Attachments A - F).

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Kent Blackwell, Delta-Montrose Electric Association, Southeast Colorado Power Association, Yampa Valley Electric Association, and San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, testified in support of the bill.

Virginia Harman, Delta-Montrose Electric Association and Elevate Fiber, testified in support of the bill.

Tony Prendergast, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Geoff Hier, Colorado Rural Electric Association, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Blackwell, Ms. Harman, and Mr. Hier responded to questions from the committee.

Emily Ibach, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.

Jeff Weist, Colorado Cable and Telecommunications Association, testified on the bill from a neutral position if proposed amendments are adopted.

Brandy DeLange, Colorado Municipal League and Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Weist responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Soper described the proposed amendments.

Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions from the committee regarding Amendment L.004.

The bill sponsors made closing remarks on the bill.