The First Legislative Breakfast of 2020 When: Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. Where: Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Why: Hear what Legislators are working on this Legislative Session and have the opportunity to express comments, questions, and concerns to your Legislator.
RSVP to Jill Linck at 719-542-1704 or [email protected]. Find more information here.
It would be an honor to have you join us!
This Week on the Floor
On Monday the 27th, we honored an individual who brought people together to work on important issues- former Speaker of the House Ruben Valdez who served in the House from 1971-1978. It was an honor to recognize him and his life accomplishments on the House Floor. He will be truly missed. You can find more on his life and legacy here.
Aerospace Caucus
As Co-Chair of the Aerospace and Defense Caucus, we met on Thursday, and were joined by representatives from NASA, Lockheed Martin, Colorado Space Coalition, and Citizens for Space Exploration; along with along with aerospace technicians and legislators, legislators, and many others to discuss the evolving aerospace industry in the state of Colorado. Colorado's aerospace industry directly employs over 30,000 individuals and has grown 19.4% over the past 5 years (2014-2019). Colorado is home to 500+ aerospace-related companies and suppliers, and is a premier location for companies conducting aerospace-related activities. We discussed how we can go about continuing on this trajectory of growth to ensure that the aerospace industry continues to thrive and produce employment opportunities in the state.
Update on HB19-1247
Last year I sponsored HB19-1247 which passed with Bipartisan support that directed the Commissioner of Agriculture to convene an advisory group to study potential agricultural applications of blockchain.
On Wednesday, some initial conclusions were presented during the Joint House Rural Affairs & Agriculture and Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Meeting.
On Wednesday, two representatives from Future Farmers of America came and spoke with the Joint House Rural Affairs & Agriculture and Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Meeting.
Bill Updates:
HB20-1046Payments in Construction Contracts
This bill requires that in construction contacts of at least $150,000, the property owner is required to to make partial payments to the contractor at the end of each month with amount pertaining to the contact. The property owner must pay the contractor at least 95% of the value of satisfactory work to be paid within 60 days of completed work. A contractor must pay a subcontractor within 30 calendar days with no greater than a 5% retainer.
LAST ACTION: 01/28/2020 Testimony heard in Committee.
This Bill will be voted on in Committee sometime next week.
HB20-1030Commercial Vehicle Annual Fleet Overweight
Current law requires a commercial motor vehicle fleet owner that wished to apply for an annual fleet overweight permit to apply for separate annual fleet permits for vehicles that have a quad axle grouping for divisible vehicles or loads, and vehicle combinations with a trailer that have 2 or 3 axles for divisible vehicles or loads. The bill allows a fleet owner that has a fleet consisting of vehicles from both of these categories to apply for a single annual fleet overweight permit.
LAST ACTION: LAST ACTION: 01/27/2020 | House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations
HB20-1042: PFAS Polyfluoroalky Substances Manufacturer Notice Requirements
House Bill 19-1279, enacted in 2019, requires manufacturers of class B firefighting foam that contains intentionally added polyfluoroalkyl substances to notify, in writing, sellers of their products about the state's new regulations of these products "no less than one year prior to the effective date of section 25-2-1303", which is impossible because the notice requirements did not exist prior to the bill's effective date on August 2, 2019. The bill addresses this error by modifying the effective date of the required notice to prior to August 2, 2020.
The goal of HB19-1279 is to ensure that we avoid using these chemicals in unnecessary situations so as to protect our water sources from toxic chemical runoff.
LAST ACTION: 01/31/2020 | House Second Reading Passed - No Amendments
HB20-1190: Disabled Veteran Registration Fees and Ownership Tax
Current law provides 2 means by which veterans with qualifying disabilities may be exempted from paying vehicle ownership tax and registration fees: The first exemption is associated with the issuance of a disabled veteran license plate, but the second exemption is not specifically associated with the issuance of the disabled veteran license plate. The bill clarifies that a veteran who is disabled need not obtain the disabled veteran license plate to qualify for the second exemption.
LAST ACTION: 1/30/2020 | Bill was Introduced
Presenting HB20-1042 on Tuesday with Representative McKean.
Thank you to all those who have served and are currently serving in our armed forces. I am grateful for your sacrifice and your dedication to our country.
Anyone who would like to receive my newsletter can email me at:
Our mailing address is:
Representative Donald Valdez
200 E Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
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