Colorado Association of Libraries, Legislative Committee Minutes

Friday, March 3, 2017 at 10:00 am

Commissioner’s Room, Denver Public Library

Call to Order

ATTENDING: Jerry Braden, Ray Coffey, Jim Duncan, Eugene Hainer, Jody Howard, Elizabeth Kelsen Huber, Diane Lapierre, Rose Nelson, Amy Phillips (online), Brittany Raines, Elena Rosenfeld, David Sanger, Amber Valdez, Ruben Valdez, John Wilkinson

Guest: Mollie Steinemann

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: February Minutes – approved as amended.

Report from CAL Board Meeting:

The CAL Treasurer confirmed that $900 were approved to use as grant funds to National Library Legislative Day;

o  Up to three people needing assistance can receive a maximum of $300 each.

o  Each of these three people must be from a different Congressional District.

o  If there is no need for these funds, the dollars do not need to be spent.

Calendar of Activity updates for 2017

Event Date Event Name Details

March 14, 2017 from 8 am to 1pm / Colorado State Lobby Day / Amy Shipley is leading the event this year.
·  Amy Phillips and Brittany Raines are helping coordinate.
·  Event Location: outside of the Old Supreme Court Chambers on the 2nd floor of State Capitol.
·  Request for volunteers is slightly behind schedule; however, we have the CALLI Cohort participating.
·  The 2017 Core message will drive conversations which will focus on how grant monies are helping communities.
·  David Bondarchuck confirmed that Scratch Catering will participate in the event.
·  PPLD will be bringing some of their 21C Library technologies.
·  HPLD will bring one of the State Park Backpacks to highlight a collaborative program.
·  Children representing Colorado Libraries will lead the Pledge of Allegiance on the House floor.
May 1-2, 2017 / National Library Legislative Day / John Wilkinson is serving as our State Coordinator.
·  The rest of the team includes: Deborah Deal, Julia Hill-Nichols, Eugene Hainer, Michelle Jeske, Kim Johnson, Diane Lapierre, Sasha Miller, Carol Satersmoen.
·  Representative for CD 2 is needed.
·  CAL Board approved $300 stipend for up-to three people who need it; but only 1 person per Congressional District.
·  Orientation meetings are being held with state representatives so all are prepared before going to D.C.
·  Top issues include revisions to copyright; loss of federal funding to programs such as ESSA, LSTA, NEA, and NSF; and requests that the FCC change rules on Net Neutrality and eRate
·  Trump’s $56 billion savings program might target library and education funds. The House decides on the budget so talking to our Representatives is critical.
June / Identify Legislative Award Recipient / Deadline to submit name to Awards Committee
November / Budget Setting for Legislative Committee. / Usually a zero budget for regular work
·  Request grant funds for NLLD attendees

REPORTS:

LOBBYIST’S REPORT [Jerry Braden, Amber Valdez, Ruben Valdez]

Legislative Items/Town Halls

·  Basalt/Roaring Fork Town Hall with Diane Mitsch Bush

- When: TBA

-Where: TBA

·  Lakewood Town Hall with Representative BrittanyPettersen (every 3rdSaturday)

​ -When: March 18th, 9:30-11:00am

​-Where: Lakewood Cultural Center 470 Allison Parkway Lakewood, CO 80226

·  Community Coffee with Senator Rhonda Fields (every 3rd Thursday)

​​ -When: March 16th7-8pm

-Where:CariñoCoffee, 20971 E Smoky Hill Road

·  Town Halls with Representative SteveLebsock

- When: March 18th 10:30am-12:30pm ; April 22nd10:30am-12:30pm ; May 20th10:30am-12:20 pm

-Where:AnythinkLibrary, Huron Street Room B 9417 Huron St. Thornton, CO 80260

State Budget

·  Budget discussions are on hold until March 20th when the revenue report will be released.

·  Ruben Valdez reported that Representative Millie Hamner shared that the grant line item for publicly funded libraries is still in place.

·  The State Government is still awaiting the Federal decision about Medicaid. If the funds are cut, State dollars will be needed to fill the resulting gap.

·  With the planned repeal of the Affordable Care Act and decisions about Hospital Provider Fees, rural hospitals are looking at possible closures due to lack of funds. This situation might be the reason that Senator Crowder supports SB17-1187.

·  As Attorney, General Sessions seems to be backing off attacking marijuana funds, the State is looking to use those dollars to support budget demands. There is about $110 million in available revenues above the $40 million assigned to the BEST (Building Excellent Schools Today) fund.

The marijuana industry is continuing to grow. In Parachute, 35% of the budget is from marijuana sales. And, there is now ‘to your door’ marijuana delivery service which is leading to questions about deliveries into areas that have opted-out from marijuana sales.

·  There was some speculation about whether the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) members might talk to Senator Pat Steadman to gather historical information. They have not done so as they move forward in developing the Long Bill.

·  A bill focused on transportation is likely to come forward in the next few weeks.

Bill Tracking

·  Expect bills moved to State Affairs to die in committee.

Bill Number & Title Sponsors Details Continue Tracking?

2017-18 (SB17-254) – Long Appropriations Bill / Sen. K. Lambert
Rep. M. Hamner / JBC set budget – including possible library funding / Yes – library funds currently in place
SB17-008 – Legalize Gravity Knives and Switchblades / Sen. O. Hill
Rep. S. Lebsock / Removes these knives from list of illegal weapons. Passed 3rd reading / Governor signed.
SB17-062 – Student Free Speech Public Higher Ed Campuses / Sen. T. Neville
Rep. S. Humphrey / Declares all spaces in public higher ed. as open forums for free speech.
House amended – Senate concur & repass / Yes – may impact academic libraries.
SB17-116 – Concealed Handgun Carry Without a Permit / Sen. T. Neville
Rep. K. Van Winkle / House assigned to State Affairs / Yes – may impact library safety concerns.
SB17-150 – Restrict Employment of Relatives by Public Officials / Sen. A. Kerr / Senate assigned to State Affairs – postponed indefinitely / No – won’t leave committee.
HB17-1193 – Small Cell Facilities Permitting and Installing / Rep. T. Kraft-Tharp
Rep. J. Becker
Sen. A Kerr
Sen. J. Tate / Small telecom companies can place cell antennas and other cell devices on government facilities.
Senate passed 2nd reading with amendments / Yes – until more is known.
HB17-1161 – Tax Increment Financing Transparency / Sen S. Beckman / House assigned to Business Affairs – postponed indefinitely / No – won’t leave committee
HB17-1187 – Change to Growth Factor in the Excess State Revenues Cap / Rep. Thurlow
Rep. Covarrubias
Rep. Landgraf
Sen. Crowder / Senate assigned to State Affairs – postponed indefinitely / No – won’t leave committee

Library News

·  Cherry Creek School District is working through a parent’s challenge that EBSCO provides access to erotica through their NoveList product. The challenge has initiated conversations that included meeting with the School District’s superintendent and informing other school districts of the resources and support needed to manage econtent and challenges.

The parent and her organization has aligned themselves with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (the rebranded Morality and Media organization which was founded in 1962).

COLORADO FUTURES – No Report

NATIONAL LEGISLATION

Bill Number & Title Sponsors Details Continue Tracking?

HR960 – Amend IRS Code of 1986; tax-exempt financing of certain Govt. Owned buildings / Rep. Mike Kelly / This is a cap and possible restriction on bond use. Halts use of CoPs. CO uses bonds so anything limiting use is a risk. / Yes

·  The Federal fiscal year runs Oct 1 – Sept 30 so decisions made by the Federal Government will impact the State Budget the following year. The most significant impact will be on those departments and programs that rely heavily on Federal Funding such as HUD, Medicare and the State Library.

·  This proposed Federal Government fiscal plan is intended to significantly increase defense department funding at the expense of other departments including many domestic programs.

PAC FUNDRAISING

·  PAC explanation document for CAL Membership would be a great tool. Include the purpose of PAC, how funds are used, and how someone can donate. CAL Legislative committee versus PAC.

ASSIGNMENTS, FOLLOW-UPS, AND NEXT STEPS

Who Action

Jerry Braden, Amber Valdez & Ruben Valdez / Forward list of other Town Hall Meetings throughout the state
Task Force Needed / Develop Fundraising Plan for Legislative Committee
Collaboration with PAC Needed / Develop Fundraising Plan for PAC
Eugene Hainer / Coordinate a meeting with the current Commissioner in March/April
Elizabeth Kelsen Huber / Send Amber Valdez the names of the children who will be leading the Pledge of Allegiance on the House floor by Wednesday, March 8.

NEXT MEETING: April 7, 2017