S_FIN_2021A 05/25/2021 02:00:16 PM Committee Summary

Sen. Hansen introduced House Bill 21-1105. This bill requires investor-owned utilities to collect a monthly energy assistance system benefit charge from each customer beginning October 2021 to help finance the low-income energy assistance programs administered by Energy Outreach Colorado, the Colorado Energy Office, and the Department of Human Services, and eliminates the existing Tier 2 severance tax allocations to these programs.

Ms. Christina Rosendahl, representing Black Hills Energy, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Steve Berman, representing Xcel Energy, testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Jennifer Gremmert, representing Energy Outreach Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Joel McClurg, representing The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Sara Lipowitz, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ryan Harry, representing the Colorado Energy Office, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Chris Piper, representing the Colorado Energy Office, Governor's Office, testified in support of the bill.

Written testimony may be found in Attachment A.

Sens. Winter and Priola introduced House Bill 21-1254. The bill requires certain individuals who are late registering their vehicles to pay back taxes and fees; imposes new late fees on late registrations; and authorizes the Department of Revenue to use the new revenue to reduce the costs of vehicle registration and titling services and make transfers to various cash funds.

Sens. Donovan and Winter introduced House Bill 21-1233. This bill makes modifications to the conservation easement tax credit program by increasing credit amounts, changing how transferred credits are tracked and verified, and broadening the entities that can donate or accept donations of easements.

Ms. Jillane Hixson, representing herself, testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Melissa Daruna, representing Keep It Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Austin Vincent, representing Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses answered several committee questions.

Mr. Terry Fankhauser, representing the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Dallas May, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Kathleen Curry, representing Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Maggie Hanna, representing Hanna Ranches, Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Jim Yahn, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Elizabeth Peetz, representing Colorado Association of Realtors, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Ariel Steele, representing Tax Credit Connection, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Michael Korenblat, representing Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., testified to amend the bill.

Mr. Kevin Patterson, representing the Colorado Peoples Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Mayor Benjamin Huseman, representing City of Commerce City, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Cary Whitaker, representing the Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association, testified to amend the bill. Ms. Martha Fulford, representing the Colorado Department of Law, testified in support of the bill.