Tourism is a huge part of the economy all over Colorado, but especially in my new district, from Pagosa Springs to Gunnison and all points in between. We need to do anything that we can to spur the growth of tourism and thereby provide more jobs. SB 124 is one bill that will do exactly that. Colorados Regional Tourism Act allows the Colorado Economic Development Commission to approve a total of six projects for development, but only two projects per year. SB 124, sponsored in the House by Rep. B. J. Nikkel (R-Loveland), removes the annual cap so that the commission can approve six projects in one year if they qualify. The bill will encourage thousands of jobs and help tourism. It passed out of both the Senate and the House with strong bipartisan support. Gov. Hickenlooper originally supported the bill, but is now threatening to veto the measure. At any rate, it is headed for the governors desk and hopefully will become law.
This week two of my bills will be signed into law. First, the governor will sign HB 1318, which puts into law the guidelines for controlled maintenance funding. The state architect annually visits all state-owned buildings and determines the needs for maintenance and rates each project. The funding of the projects is recommended by the Capital Development and Joint Budget Committees and then funded by the legislature. HB 1318, as recommended by the Legislative Council, the Office of Legislative Legal Services, and the Capital Development Committee, puts this process into statute so that there is no question and no argument about the process. This bill will, hopefully, add some discipline to the process of funding controlled maintenance.
The second bill is HB 1290, which will create the Healthy Landscapes Income Tax Checkoff. This bill will allow folks to voluntarily donate part of their income tax refund to the Colorado Weed Management Association to start an education program on the impacts of noxious invasive weeds to the economy of the state. The law is scheduled to be signed by the governor on Thursday.
SB 123, sponsored by Sen. Scott Renfro in the Senate and me in the House, was unanimously passed out of the House Economic and Business Development Committee on April 18. This bill will allow the enhancement of the o-line filing system in the Secretary of States Office. I have had compliments from constituents about the efficiency of the online business registration by that office. One individual changed his filing from a personal business to a limited liability corporation (LLC) in a matter of a few minutes. HB 123 will make the office even more consumer friendly. This bill is calendared this week for second and third readings in the House.
There are only 10 working days left in the legislative session and there are many bills yet to be considered, bills that could have been scheduled earlier. We will no doubt be rushed and be working into the late nights in the coming days. Last year I complained. This year I see it as a fact of life.
J. Paul Brown represents House District 59 in Colorados General Assembly. The district encompasses San Juan, Archuleta and La Plata counties and parts of Montezuma County. Contact Rep. Brown at (303) 866-2914 or by e-mail at jpaul.brown.house@state.co.us.