To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Kristin Zagurski, Assistant to the Town Manager
Title
Update: Legislative Update
Body
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Executive Summary
The Colorado General Assembly convened its 2018 regular session on January 10. With assistance from the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and other sources, staff will monitor - and provide Council with updates on - legislative activity until the Assembly adjourns May 9.
Staff does not take a position on any legislation unless so directed by Council. To date, several bills have been introduced that are of municipal interest and, therefore, may be of interest to Council. Staff presents summaries below for Council information. Additionally, attached are lists of all of the legislation CML is following thus far this legislative session. If Council is interested in additional information on any of these - or any other - bills, staff will provide such information in a future update.
Transportation Bills
Transportation bills have been introduced in both the House (HB 1119) and Senate (SB 001). Both bills call for November 2018 ballot questions that would provide for additional transportation funding within the State without raising taxes. CML has a neutral position on both bills, which are in committees in their respective chambers. Follow links from the attached bill summaries for additional information.
Lodging Tax
A bill has been introduced in the House (HB 1084) to expand the allowable uses of County lodging tax revenue. One aspect of the bill is that it would allow a County to levy a lodging tax within any municipality that does not levy one itself.
The Town does not levy a lodging tax, but Town Council has discussed the possibility at various times in the past. (Douglas County does not levy a lodging tax at this time, either.) CML is opposing this bill unless it is amended to include a requirement for Counties considering an expanded use of lodging tax to notify and consult with impacted municipalities.
A lodging tax generally would not burden local taxpayers and would bringing additional revenue to the Town. Staff recommends preservation of this revenue option for the Town and will update Council if that would be jeopardized as discussion of this legislation continues. The bill is presently in committee.
Attachment
Attachment A: CML Followed Bills as of January 31