Capitol Connection – April 20, 2018
House Bill 18-1199: Aquifer Storage and Recovery Plans
HB18-1199, sponsored by Representative Catlin (R-Montrose), and Representative McLachlan (R-Durango), and Senator Coram (R-Montrose), authorizes a person to apply to the Ground Water Commission for approval of an aquifer storage-and-recovery plan. This legislation also requires the Ground Water Commission to promulgate rules governing the application process and the requirements that an aquifer storage-and-recovery plan must meet to be approved. Aquifers are underground storage systems usually made of layers of sand, gravel, or rock that allow water to pass through and be stored. The recovery process injects drinking water into that aquifer so that it can later be used for both recovery and storage.
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) recognizes that one of the most important elements of our Colorado quality of life is the protection of the environment, including water, air quality, parks, and open space. This legislation will be one tool to help Colorado continue to preserve the supply of water with responsible storage options. The LPC is happy to report HB 18-1199 was signed into law by Governor Hickenlooper on April 9, 2018.
House Bill 18-1278: Apprentice Utilization in Public Projects
HB18-1278, sponsored by Representative Benavidez (D-Denver) and Senator Moreno (D-Commerce City), requires that contractors for any public projects, that are not federally funded, employ registered apprentices for at least 25% of the workforce in a relevant occupation that is hired to work on the project. The bill stipulates that this requirement would apply to public projects that cost $500,000 or more in any fiscal year. This legislation also specifies that a government agency may only consider project proposals that meet this apprenticeship requirement.
CAR’s LPC opposes HB18-1278 because the legislation raises a few concerns from some of our members who would like to use apprenticeship programs in their public projects. The legislation falls short when it mandates who a public-contracting business is able to hire. When a twenty-five percent threshold is set without matching that numerical mandate to the available talent or applicant pool in Colorado to fill these apprenticeship positions it could delay and increase the costs of projects to meet the conditions required in the bill. HB18-1278 died in the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee on Monday.
Upcoming Events: NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings (May 14-19, 2018)
The REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo is where NAR members take an active role to advance the real estate industry, public policy, and the association. REALTORS® come to Washington, DC, for special issues forums, committee meetings, legislative activities, and the industry trade show. Registration is now open. Click here for more information.
This year, NAR has held the REALTOR® Legislative Meetings schedule from 2:00PM to 4:30PM on Wednesday, May 16th to allow time for Capitol Hill Visits. For Colorado, we have 9 Members of Congress visits to complete on Capitol Hill. While we will try to schedule as many meetings as possible during this NAR designated time frame, we will not be able to fit all of these meetings into this window. As we approach May, CAR Staff will be in contact with attendees regarding our hill visits meeting schedule for your constituent meetings with your Members of Congress.
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The purpose of RPAC is to support candidates that support REALTORS®. Our goal is to elect pro-REALTOR® candidates at the local, state, and federal levels – candidates that share our support for homeownership, protect property rights, and who will listen to our concerns. Investing in RPAC is one of the easiest things you can do to protect your business. Our goal in 2018 is to raise $630,000 to continue to support Colorado’s REALTOR® champions and ensure we achieve the policy outcomes necessary to protect property rights. Click here to invest today!
Colorado Project Wildfire
Developed by the Colorado Association of REALTORS®, Project Wildfire is designed to help reduce the destruction of land, property, and lives. Working in partnership with other like-minded fire prevention organizations across the state, local REALTOR® associations are bringing education and awareness, as well as access to resources, directly to residents in their local communities. To learn more about Colorado Project Wildfire, click here.