Working for You

2009 Legislative Accomplishments

HB 1064 will create the Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force to tackle and significantly reduce poverty over ten years. 06/01/2009 Governor Action - Signed

HB 1105 encourages economic and job growth by increasing start-up investments in targeted industries. 06/01/2009 Governor Action - Signed

HB 1251 would have required that criminal justice records be available to the public, unless the custodian of such records determines that such disclosure is contrary to public interest.  This bill was postponed indefinitely by the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 1273 creates the Colorado Health Care Authority.  The authority is to recommend to the General Assembly and implement a single-payer health care system that provides comprehensive medical benefits to all eligible participants.  Subject to sufficient gifts, grants, and donations, the board must create and design the new health care system and make recommendations concerning a number of factors. 04/14/2009 House Third Reading Laid Over to 07/05/2009

SB 079 will advance the well-being of children in the foster care system by improving the ability of birth siblings to maintain long-term connections.  Signed by the Governor, 3/25/09

SB 167 is a continuation of the state board of chiropractic examiners.  It increases insurance requirements, adjusts the board’s disciplinary authority, authorizes animal chiropractic, and modifies the scope of practice. 06/01/2009 Governor Action - Signed

2008 Legislative Accomplishments

HB08-1075: AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER PEER REVIEW COMMITTEES: Signed into law by the Governor on April 1, the bill authorizes the medical staff of Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) to establish professional peer review committees to evaluate the quality of patient care, making more quality health care options available.

HB08-1161: URANIUM MINING & GROUND WATER PROTECTION: Signed into law by Governor Ritter, the bill sets strong ground water reclamation and public health standards for in-situ leach uranium mining and ensures that conventional uranium mining requires an environmental protection plan.

HB08-1165: MINING TRANSPARENCY: Although this bill was defeated in a House committee, we were able to get SB-228 introduced as a late bill, which was signed into law by the Governor. Property owners will now be able to access non-proprietary mining information as a matter of public record during the prospecting or exploratory phase of mining.

HB08-1207: PURCHASING PREFERENCE FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PRODUCTS: Allows a governmental body to consider the lifetime cost of maintaining products purchased, saving taxpayers money - Signed into law April 21st.

HB08-1215: CONTINUATION OF THE AUTHORITY OF MUNICIPALITIES TO CONTRACT WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: Allows smaller communities to continue to contract with health care providers to provide health care to rural Colorado. Signed into law March 26th.

HB08-1340: COLORADO HOUSING INVESTMENT FUND: This bill establishes a statewide fund with a dedicated annual revenue stream of $25 - $35 million to leverage local and private dollars to create community-based affordable housing. The revenue source - an increase in the real estate documentary fee - must be referred to the voters. I pulled this bill in committee, and housing advocates are gathering signatures to place a citizens' initiative on the November ballot.

HB08-1342: CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES: Passed by the Senate on April 30 and signed into law by the Governor, the amended bill streamlines and improves child support collections and procedures, while redirecting state dollars to county child support programs to make up for federal funding cuts.

HB08-1362: RESTORING COLORADO'S EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT (EITC): Although the bill was narrowly defeated in the House Finance Committee, we made important progress in gaining support for the merits of EITC as an economic development and anti-poverty tool. I have requested a meeting with the Governor and State Treasurer to get their commitment and help for next year.

HB08-1378: RANKED VOTING METHODS: Signed into law by the Governor, this bill authorizes local governments and special districts to use ranked voting methods like instant runoff voting for single-seat districts and ranked choice voting for multi-seat districts.

SB08-59: COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE TEST FEE: Allows fees for commercial driver's license testing to
adjust to changing costs for administration of license. Gov. Ritter signed into law April 17th.

SB08-073: COLLEGE TEXTBOOK AFFORDABILITY ACT: Signed into law by the Governor on April 8, the bill will lower textbook costs by creating greater transparency and accountability and bundling educational materials.

SB08-148: MODIFICATION OF DEFINITIONS FOR THE CO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ACT: Modernizes definitions in the state Medicare rules to match those in federal law - signed into law April 10th.

2007 Legislative Accomplishments

HB07-1026: Graduate Student Health Insurance - signed into law 3/15/07.

HB07-1131: Hemodialysis Technician Certification & Training Standards, passed 3rd reading in the Senate 5/2; on its way to the Governor.

HB07-1162: Voter Choice Act of 2007, killed in House Appropriations, but authorized by House Speaker Romanoff as Voter Choice Interim Task Force with legislative council support.

HB07-1220: Purchasing of Environmentally Preferable Products - signed into law 4/25/07.

HB07-1260: Changing Sunset Review Dates for State Boards of Nursing & Chiropractor Examiners - signed into law 4/2/07.

HB07-1290: Dept. of Revenue Reporting on Tax Policy Impacts, Accountability & Transparency, lost in House Finance Committee on 2/20. Issue has been raised with Dept. of Revenue, and we are working to determine how these analyses can be achieved with new computer systems.

HB07-1349: Child Support Obligations, passed 3rd reading in Senate on Friday, 5/4. House concurred with Senate amendments, including gambling payment intercept act; on its way to the Governor.

SB07-213: Licensing of Addiction Treatment Programs, passed 3rd reading in House, 4/27 with amendment; Senate concurred on 4/30; on its way to Governor.

HJR07-1031: Colorado Pedestrian Month, adopted 4/20.

SJM07-005: Support for Gestational Diabetes Act, adopted 3/30.

In addition, Representative Kefalas

Founded Common Good Caucus to serve as a bi-partisan forum for legislators interested in addressing poverty through public policy and private-sector solutions that promote self-sufficiency, family well-being, community development, and the common good.

IS a member of the Hispanic Caucus & Diabetes/Obesity Caucus.

Founded Mobile Home/Manufactured Housing Fort Collins Task Force to implement solutions for mobilehome owners facing relocation and park closure.

Has conducted over 40 community conversations, town hall meetings and educational forums dealing with issues such as health care, mobile home parks, Latino/a issues and poverty, while attending numerous community functions.