H_THL_2024A 02/21/2024 01:35:31 PM Committee Summary

Representative Parenti
introduced a strike below amendment to the committee regarding the sunset
review for Connect
Colorado to Enhance Economic Development, Telehealth, Education, and Safety
Act (Broadband Deployment Board). The Amendment can be found as Attachment
A.

Representative
Parenti provided written materials to the committee that can be found as
Attachment B.  

Representative Catlin provided comments on the draft amendment.

Representative Parenti responded to question from the committee.

Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided additional comments on the draft bill process. Representative Parenti was identified as sponsor of the draft bill.

Bill sponsors responded to the questions from the committee.

Committee discussion continued.

Mr. Matthew Cook, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, testified to amend the bill.
Michael Valdez, representing the Special District Association of Colorado, testified to amend the bill.
Andrew Barton, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.
Miller Hudson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Jennifer Iversen, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. Charles Wolfersberger, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. JD Lobue, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Gail Bell, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. Logan Ruths, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Elizabeth Wilson, representing the Pro-Colorado Education Project, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Khurshid Rogers, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Meagan Gaetke, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. Jim Soilamd, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. John Henderson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Natascha Oflaherty, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Brian Matise, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. Jim Gibson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion continued between representative of the IEC and committee members.

Representative Ortiz introduced House Bill 24-1165 to the committee. The bill requires that the airport authority of the City and County of Denver ensure accessibility for travelers with disabilities at Denver International Airport, and authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to issue fines for enforcement.

Assistant Majority Leader Bacon provided additional comments on the bill.

Hillary Jorgensen, representing Colorado Cross Disability Coaliton, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Sarah Bennett, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Kristin Zaccheo, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. Carson Covey, representing Arc of Colorado , testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Petri Brill, representing ARC of Aurora, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. David Plueger, representing National Multiples Sclerosis Society, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Elizabeth Moran, representing the Arc of Colorado, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Ms. Emily Haddaway, representing the Colorado Department of Transportation, testified to amend the bill.

Witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Carol Reagan, representing Denver International Airport, responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. David Ulane, representing Colorado Department of Transportation, responded to questions from the committee..

Mr. Bryce Rafferty, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Craig Towler, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Kirby McDonald, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Mary-Michael Justice, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Jack Johnson, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Johnson responded to questions from the committee.

Bill sponsors provided final comments on the bill.



All written public testimony can be found as Attachment I.

Representative Ortiz introduced House Bill 24-1161 to the committee. The bill creates accessibility requirements for car sharing programs and electric vehicle charging stations, and modifies the offense of blocking reasonable access to reserved parking.

Carrie Atiyeh, representing the Colorado Energy Office, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Jep Seman, representing Turo, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Carson Covey, representing Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Ann Sutton, representing the League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Ortiz introduced and explained amendments L.001 (Attachment J) and L.003 (Attachment K) to the committee.

Representative Mauro introduced House Bill 24-1234 to the committee. This bill continues the High Cost Support Mechanism in the Department of Regulatory Agencies, which is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2024.