2018 Legislative Preview. 1/9/18 CML ADVOCACY. CML Lobbyists. State Budget. State Revenue and TABOR. Issues of Municipal Interest

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1 2018 Legislative Preview Issues of Municipal Interest January 9, 2018 Second Regular Session of the 71 st Colorado General Assembly CML ADVOCACY CML Lobbyists Kevin Bommer Deputy Director Morgan Cullen Legislative & Policy Advocate Dianne Criswell Legislative Counsel Meghan Dollar Legislative & Policy Advocate State Budget State Revenue and TABOR Transportation funding Severance tax backfills Hospital Provider Fee Gallagher Amendment/TABOR impacts 1

2 A TABOR Illustration Beer & Liquor Changes to SB Fermented Malt Beverage licenses change 1/1/19 Full-strength beer (malt liquor) TABOR Limit Special Event Permits Income and Sales taxes General Fund Cash Funds TABOR Refund Confirming ability of municipalities to hold permits for events they put on Fees Broadband Funding for rural broadband Repurpose High Cost Support Mechanism Increases threshold population for purposes of defining unserved areas Does not address right of first refusal problems, BUT Does not include any preemption language Housing Funding for Affordable Housing Potential legislation establishing a permanent funding source for affordable housing Extend State Low Income Housing Tax Credit CML will support legislation extending state low income housing tax credit administered through CHFA Program has resulted in nearly 4000 units in its existence Lottery Reauthorization of the Colorado Division of Lottery Legislation to permanently reauthorize the Division of Lottery will be introduced in 2018 CML supports continuation of Division of Lottery Important conduit for lottery funding distributed to municipalities for parks and recreation and open space projects. On-premise Consumption Marijuana Legislation creating accessory consumption premises for both medical and retail Opt-in and ability to be more stringent Separate premises connected to an existing license Delivery pilot program Option for MED to allow three municipalities (or areas) to permit delivery of retail and/or medical marijuana Sunsets in 2 years 2

3 Funding for HB Municipal Courts The Governor s budget sets aside $2 million of general fund to fund HB which requires counsel at the first appearance in certain municipal court cases. CML expects numerous pieces of legislation regarding criminal justice reform. Sales Tax Municipal Tax and Finance Legislative Task Force bill directing the Department of Revenue to issue request for information for tax administration software. Property Tax Expect the perennial business personal property tax proposals, exempting property owners in whole or in part. Oil & Gas Public Safety in the Spotlight Firestone, Colorado Martinez Decision Compensation for Mineral Interests Holds local governments liable to operator for moratoriums on oil and gas development Setbacks from Schools Changes 1000 foot setback requirement from a school building to the school property line Pensions Fire & Police Pension Association (FPPA) Legislation to implement an electronic health history form, to allow consideration of preexisting conditions (even if omitted from forms) Legislation simplifying affiliation with FPPA Pensions Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) PERA Board and Governor proposals to improve the fiscal health of the pension system. CML positions Oppose any additional employer contribution in the Local Gov t Division, Support keeping employee contributions for new and existing employees the same, and Support a reduction of the proposed employee contribution for the Local Gov t Division CML retains the discretion to oppose automatic triggers Create another trigger affecting budget and revenue, Create budgetary impacts in years when local governments would be reducing costs or personnel Bypass the legislative process Opioid Epidemic Public Safety A legislative interim committee passed several pieces of legislation aimed to reduce the impacts of the opioid crisis. The committee also looked at other substance abuse issues CML is following this issue closely and supporting legislation that implements substance abuse funding as well as legislation to create more behavioral health positions in rural areas. 3

4 Protect rural Colorado Severance Tax & FML Changes in Hospital Provider Fee and budget drivers place severance tax at risk Local governments Department of Natural Resources CML proposes referred question to debruce Ensures use only for intended purposes Does not affect tax rates or credits Transportation Funding Transportation All parties agree more revenue to fix Colorado s ailing infrastructure needs to be implemented. The challenge is how to pay for it. Existing Revenue vs. New Revenue 2018 Initiative on the ballot? Traffic Safety Seat Belts A primary offense? Speed Limits Broadening the criteria for local governments. Distracted Driving Utilities 811 Call Before You Dig Reforms Recent developments have placed Colorado s 811 One Call system under examination and demand for specific reforms to be implemented. Tiered Membership Enforcement Authority Areas of municipal concern with the most current draft Cost Constitutionality Representation Responsibility for Locates Staying Connected to the Statehouse HOW CML KEEPS YOU INFORMED How CML Keeps You Informed CML Statehouse Report in your inbox CML s website CML posi;on papers CML box score and list of bills followed Social media Facebook TwiFer ( Annual Colorado Laws Enacted Affec8ng Municipali8es CML Newsle@er (bi- weekly) Colorado Municipali8es magazine (bi- monthly) Make your voice heard in the Statehouse GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY 4

5 How to Contact Your Legislator Who is my legislator? What is the best way to contact my legislator? In person (Invite your legislators to come to a council or board mee;ng, study session, or special event) Phone Invite them to the CML Legisla;ve Workshop Recep;on on February 15 What Should You Say? Talk to them about legislative & policy issues that affect your municipality Refer to CML positions on bills Bill log on the website Position papers Ask them to talk to CML s lobbyist for more detail Let them know you d really appreciate their vote Ten Commandments of Effective Legislative Relations 1. Become aware of legisla;on 2. Get to know your legislators 3. Be well informed on the issues 4. Communicate regularly and be persistent 5. Work with outside groups 6. Coali;ons can work but be cau;ous 7. Always say thank you 8. Act quickly 9. Keep the League informed 10. Remember the ABC s Want to be part of the action? CML s Annual Legisla;ve Workshop February 15, 2018 History Colorado Followed by a legisla;ve recep;on at CML More info at Sign up for the CML Statehouse Report CML Legisla;ve MaFers blog Come join us at the Statehouse! Thank you! Ques;ons? Contact CML any1me! 1144 Sherman Street Denver, CO