H_SA_2017A 05/03/2017 Committee Summary

01:48 PM -- SB17-281



Representative Williams and Representative Covarrubias, co-prime bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 17-281. The reengrossed bill prohibits sanctuary jurisdiction policies, defined as any policy that restricts public officials or employees from sending to or receiving from federal immigration authorities information regarding an individual's immigration status. It also prohibits jurisdictions from restricting the maintenance or exchange of such information and from encouraging the physical harboring of an alien in violation of federal law. The governing body of all jurisdictions within the state must provide written notice to each elected official, employee, and law enforcement officer of his or her duty to comply with federal immigration law.



On or before July 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, all jurisdictions must submit a written report affirming their compliance with federal immigration law to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS must indicate to the state controller any jurisdictions that fail to provide timely reports. On or before September 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, DPS must compile the compliance reports and submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the state controller, who must withhold state funds from any jurisdiction not in compliance beginning in FY 2018-19. DPS must publish on its website Colorado-specific information provided by the federal government about jurisdictions that release aliens from their custody. The bill removes immunity from civil liability for public entities if an illegal alien who established residency in what is determined to be a sanctuary jurisdiction is convicted of a crime that caused a plaintiff injury.



Representative Williams and Representative Covarrubias answered questions from the committee.





02:20 PM



The committee members continued to dialogue with the bill sponsors.



















02:50 PM



The committee dialogue with the bill sponsors ensued.



03:17 PM -- Rupesh Baral, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Baral answered questions from the committee.



03:26 PM -- Christopher Lasch, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A). Mr. Lasch answered questions from the committee.



17HouseState0503AttachA.pdf



03:46 PM -- Cesar Garcia Hernandez, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Hernandez answered questions from the committee.



03:51 PM -- Joan Poston, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:55 PM -- Sheriff Bruce Hartman, County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment B).



17HouseState0503AttachB.pdf



03:58 PM -- Allison Dailey, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in opposition to the bill.





04:00 PM



Sheriff Hartman and Ms. Dailey answered questions from the committee.



04:12 PM -- Anahid Katchian, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Katchian answered questions from the committee.



04:18 PM -- Laura Richards, Indivisible Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:22 PM -- Eleanor Cabell, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:25 PM -- Nancy Nixon, American Civil Liberties Union, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Nixon answered questions from the committee.

























04:32 PM



Representative Williams explained amendment L.008 (Attachment C) to the committee. The committee discussed amendment L.008.



17HouseState0503AttachC.pdf

04:37 PM



Representative Covarrubias and Representative Williams made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

05:12 PM



The committee took a brief recess.





05:21 PM -- SB17-009



Representative Lontine called the committee back to order.



Representative Leonard, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-009. As amended by the Senate Finance Committee, the bill expands the exemption for business personal property from $7,300 to $10,000 in 2017 and 2018. The exemption is adjusted for inflation every two years. Representative Leonard provided two handouts to the committee (Attachments D and E).



17HouseState0503AttachD.pdf 17HouseState0503AttachE.pdf



Representative Leonard answered questions from the committee.































05:37 PM



Larson Silbaugh, Legislative Council Staff, answered questions from the committee.



05:48 PM -- Jim Everson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Everson answered questions from the committee.



06:01 PM -- Patrick Boyle, Colorado Competitive Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Boyle answered questions from the committee.



06:07 PM -- Gini Pingenot, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in opposition to the bill.



06:10 PM -- Michael Valdez, Small District Association of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.



06:12 PM -- Mark Ruzzin, Boulder County, testified in opposition to the bill.



06:16 PM -- Dianne Criswell, Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition to the bill.



06:19 PM -- Richard Orf, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.





06:21 PM



Representative Leonard made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

06:29 PM



The committee adjourned.