Skip to main content
Colorado General AssemblyToggle Main Menu
Agency NameToggle Agency Menu

S_BLT_2017A 02/06/2017 Committee Summary

Final

STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING



SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR, & TECHNOLOGY

Date: 02/06/2017
ATTENDANCE
Time: 02:09 PM to 04:03 PM
Jahn
X
Kerr
X
Place: RM 271
Priola
X
Smallwood
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Williams A.
X
Senator Tate
Neville T.
X
Tate
X
This Report was prepared by
Jeanette Chapman
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
SB17-055 Referred to the Committee of the Whole





02:10 PM -- SB 17-055



Senator Neville introduced Senate Bill 17-055, concerning the prohibition of discrimination against employees based on labor union participation. The bill prohibits an employer from requiring employee membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment and from requiring employees to pay dues or fees to a labor organization, charity, or other third party. He provided three handouts to the committee Attachment A, Attachment B, and Attachment C.



170206 AttachA.pdf170206 AttachA.pdf170206 AttachB.pdf170206 AttachB.pdf170206 AttachC.pdf170206 AttachC.pdf



02:17 PM --
Leonard Martinez, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (Smart 9), spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:18 PM --
Ron Tilton, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:23 PM --
Joseph Blackwell, Arvada Professional Firefighters, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:30 PM --
Frank Gale, Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:34 PM --
John Alvino, Smart 9, spoke in opposition to the bill.













02:38 PM --
Cheryl Hutchison, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:41 PM --
Ed Augden, Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:44 PM --
Grant McConaughy, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:48 PM --
Luis Castillo, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 105, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:54 PM --
Tikden Atsboha, SEIU, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:57 PM --
Sean McMahon, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:59 PM --
Paul Pearson, Brotherhood of Local Engineers and Trainmen, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:04 PM --
Jeff Cotton, Pipefitters Local 208, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:07 PM --
Daniel Craine, UFCW, Local 7, spoke in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



03:10 PM --
Gerald Arnold, Pipefitters Local 208, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:12 PM --
Mary Broderick, IBEW, spoke in opposition to the bill. She provided copies of letters to be entered into the record (Attachment D). She responded to questions from the committee.



Attachment D is available at the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OFFICE



03:20 PM --
Geoff Herrig, Pipefitters Local 208, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:23 PM --
Thomas Tuttle, Pipefitters Local 208, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:26 PM --
David Grossett, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:30 PM --
Taryn Browne, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1563, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:32 PM --
Casey Curtin, IBEW, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:35 PM --
Mike Donahue, National Federation of Independent Business, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



03:41 PM --
Mark Latimer, Associated Builders and Contractors, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



03:46 PM



Senator Neville responded to questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.









03:53 PM



Senator Neville made closing comments on the merits of the bill.

BILL: SB17-055
TIME: 04:01:20 PM
MOVED: Neville T.
MOTION: Refer Senate Bill 17-055 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 4-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Jahn
No
Kerr
No
Priola
Yes
Smallwood
Yes
Williams A.
No
Neville T.
Yes
Tate
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



04:02 PM



The committee adjourned.




The effective date for bills enacted without a safety clause is August 6, 2025, if the General Assembly adjourns sine die on May 7, 2025 (unless otherwise specified). Details

Our website is currently undergoing a redesign in order to provide a better experience for everyone. View the Beta site

The Legislative Council Committee hearing, along with the House of Representatives and Senate, will commence one hour later than scheduled today due to inclement weather conditions.