April 6, 2018

Governmental Affairs Committee Update:
On Tuesday morning, after the Chamber’s Governmental Affairs Committee received updates from the state capitol from Senator Ray Scott, Senator Don Coram, Representative Dan Thurlow, and Representative Yeulin Willett, the committee took action on the following bills:

Chamber Supports:
• SB18-193 Limit State Agency Occupational Regulations 
• HB18-1316 Extend Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Skilled Worker Outreach, Recruitment, and Key Training Programs

Chamber Opposes:
• HB18-1311 Single Geographic Rating Area Individual Health Plan 
• HB18-1215 Safe Disposal Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material
• HB18-1312 Open Internet Customer Protections in Colorado

Chamber is Monitoring:
• SB18-178 Similar Coverage Independent Commercial Vehicles 
• HB18-1308 Workers’ Compensation Out of State Workers Temporarily in Colorado

If you have a bill you would like the committee to consider, contact darcy@gjchamber.org.
The next legislative videoconference will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 7:00 am, at the Chamber in the lower conference room. Click here to register online. Thank you to videoconference sponsor: Xcel Energy.  

Colorado Senate Approves State Budget:
On Thursday, the Colorado Senate approved a $28.9 billion state budget by a 26-8 vote, after a two-day debate. Lawmakers approved millions of dollars of new spending on various projects including, increased funding for rural broadband, affordable housing and school security. The Senate rejected a proposed plan from the House to earmark the bulk of transportation funding for local governments and multi-modal transportation, while also restoring $750,000 for funding incentives for the film industry. The annual budget is now headed to a conference committee, that will have to reconcile the differences between the approved House and Senate versions of the budget. For more information, click here. 

State Attorney General Urges Colorado Supreme Court to Relax Rules on Oil and Gas:
On Tuesday, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, sent a 68-page document to the Colorado Supreme Court, urging them to overturn a ruling that requires the protection of people and the environment, before the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission can issue drilling permits. Coffman argues that state law calls for a balance of industry interests along with health and environment, rather than protection serving as a requirement that must be met. To read more, click here. 

Mesa County Leadership Summit on April 18th:
Join the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce for the Mesa County Leadership Summit on Wednesday, April 18th, 2018. The Leadership Summit will feature Bitwise Industries co-founder, Jake Soberal, who will share his story of success and how he didn't just  get involved, but affected real change in his community. The Leadership Summit will be held at the Two Rivers Convention Center, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. To register, click here.