Legislation - 2014
HB14-1059: CLARIFYING THAT THE RITUAL DISCHARGE OF BLANK 102 AMMUNITION CARTRIDGES AT A MILITARY FUNERAL DOES NOT 103 CONSTITUTE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT
Rep. Garcia & Sen. Crowder
The ritual discharge of blank ammunition cartridges at a funeral for a deceased person who was a veteran of the United States armed forces does not constitute disorderly conduct.
Signed by Governor Hickenlooper
HB14-1161: PRESERVE AND EXPAND AMTRAK INTERSTATE RAIL SERVICE
Rep. Garcia & Sen. Crowder
The bill Creates a 9-member southwest chief rail line economic development, rural tourism, and infrastructure repair and maintenance commission consisting of 7 voting members and two nonvoting members. The mission of the commission is to coordinate and oversee efforts by the state and local governments and cooperate with the states of Kansas and New Mexico, Amtrak, and the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railway (BNSF) to ensure continuation of existing Amtrak southwest chief rail line service in the state, expansion of such service to include a stop in Pueblo, and exploration of the benefits of adding an additional stop in Walsenburg. It creates a southwest chief rail line economic development, rural tourism, and infrastructure repair and maintenance fund
Signed by Governor Hickenlooper
HB14-1169: SUNSET VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Rep. Garcia, Rep. Dore & Sen. Tochtrop
In 2004, the general assembly created the volunteer firefighter advisory committee (committee) to help develop a procedure for municipalities and districts to apply to the department of local affairs (DOLA) to receive state financial assistance in funding their pension plans. The committee was also directed to consult with DOLA in connection with establishing a statewide accidental death and disability insurance policy for volunteer firefighters. The bill repeals the committee, effective July 1, 2014.
Signed by Governor Hickenlooper
HB14-1170: LEASE-PURCHASE AUTHORITY FOR CBI PUEBLO LAB
Rep. Garcia & Sen. Steadman
The bill authorizes the state treasurer to enter into one or more lease-purchase agreements on the state's behalf for the financing of the purchase and remodel by the state of real property for the Colorado bureau of investigation's Pueblo forensic laboratory and regional office
Signed by Governor Hickenlooper
HB14-1300: GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TO COLORADO STATE FAIR AUTHORITY CASH FUND
Rep. Garcia, Rep. Duran & Sen. Steadman
The bill establishes a one-time general fund transfer in the 2014-15 state fiscal year to the Colorado state fair authority cash fund for the purpose of renovating and enhancing facilities and items used in the state fair's programs with the state's 4-H clubs and the Colorado association of the national future farmers of America organization
Signed by Governor Hickenlooper
HB14-1311: JOB CREATION AND MAIN STREET VITALIZATION ACT
Rep. Garcia, Rep. Dore & Sen. Steadman, Sen. Crowder
For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2015, but prior to January 1, 2019, section 1 of the bill creates a new income tax credit to be claimed by an owner of a historic property for recovery of certain costs related to preserving the property.
Signed by Governor Hickenlooper
HB14-1397: CONSUMER COUNSEL PARTICIPATION IN PUC RATE CASES
Rep. Garcia & Sen. Ulibarri
Section 1 of the bill specifies that the "public interest", as used in statutes outlining the duties of the office of consumer counsel, encompasses consideration of multiple disparities, economic situations, and history and policies of a utility. Section 1 also directs the consumer counsel to investigate and report to the general assembly on geographic disparities in rates charged to consumers. Section 2 allows the consumer counsel to intervene in individual complaints when doing so would vindicate the interests of a class of consumers, under criteria borrowed from the court rules governing certification of class actions.
Postponed Indefinitely in House State, Military, and Veterans Affairs Committee
SB14-001: COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY ACT
Rep. Garcia, Rep. McLachlan & Sen. Jahn, Sen. Kerr
For fiscal years 2014-15 through 2015-16, the bill reduces from 9% to 6% the amount by which a governing board of a state institution of higher education may increase undergraduate, resident tuition; except that the Colorado school of mines may increase its tuition by the greater of 6% or twice the inflation rate. If a governing board wants to increase tuition by more than 6%, it must first receive authorization from the Colorado commission on higher education by submitting a financial and accountability plan. The bill appropriates additional moneys to the department of higher education for financial aid, the college opportunity fund program, and the state institutions of higher education.
Signed by Governor Hickenlooper
SB14-036: EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES LICENSE PLATE
Rep. Garcia, Rep. Lawrence & Sen. Baumgardner
The bill creates the EMS license plate. A person becomes eligible to use the plate by providing a certificate confirming that the person made a $25 donation to the emergency medical services association of Colorado. In addition to the standard motor vehicle fees, the plate requires 2 one-time fees of $25. One of the fees is credited to the highway users tax fund and the other to the licensing services cash fund.
Signed by Governor Hickenlooper
SB14-166: CREATE BY COLORADO APP TO PROMOTE BUSINESSES IN COLORADO
Rep. Garcia, Rep. Tyler & Sen. Carroll, Sen. Rivera
The bill directs the Colorado office of economic development to contract for the creation of mobile application software (app) that identifies local businesses in Colorado. Local businesses, which are defined as businesses that are owned, located, or headquartered in, or that manufacture in, the state, may elect to participate in the app.
Signed by Governor Hickenlooper
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTIONS
HJR14-1007: CONCERNING THE USS PUEBLO
HJR14-1005: 100TH ANNIVERSARY LUDLOW MASSACRE
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTIONS
SJR14-015: JUSTIN L. VASQUEZ MEMORIAL BRIDGE
SJR14-037: NATIONAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES WEEK
