House committee advances SB277, SB251 and approves HB482 as amended; HB395 and HB513 carried for further talks
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Summary
A House committee gave favorable reports to SB277 and SB251, approved HB482 with an amendment to restore earlier language, and agreed to carry HB395 and HB513 for further work with ABC after members discussed a new 2–3% credit-card surcharge affecting retailers.
The House committee convened and advanced several bills, moving SB277 and SB251 out of committee and approving HB482 as amended. The chair announced HB395 and HB513 would be carried for further work.
Representative Brinyard introduced SB277, which he described as a Senate bill related to hospital matters for decentralized and unincorporated nonprofit associations. Following discussion, the committee received a motion for a favorable report; the chair announced the motion carried and SB277 received a favorable report.
Representative Wadsworth, who was recognized to present HB482, said the bill addresses a credit-card surcharge ABC began imposing on wholesalers/retailers in July. "This credit card fee was passed on to them back in July ... it's up about $2,000,000," he said, arguing the additional 2–3% charge was unnecessary where retailers using other payment methods (cash, check, bank draft) are not charged. Wadsworth said the statute still caps ABC markup at 16.99% and asked the committee to carry the bill while he and staff continue conversations with ABC and Stewart to seek an internal fix.
An amendment to HB482 was offered to restore prior language (the chair read the line edits aloud). A motion to adopt the amendment was moved and seconded (second recorded as Representative Barnes). The committee voted to adopt the amendment and, following a subsequent procedural motion, the chair announced, "HB 482 receives a favorable report as amended." Vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript; the chair repeatedly summarized outcomes with "Aye" responses and declared the measures carried.
On SB251, committee members noted the bill matches the version the committee passed previously but that timing had prevented it from clearing the full House earlier. Representative Polis moved a favorable report, the motion was seconded by Representative Chip Brown, and the chair announced SB251 received a favorable report.
Later in the session, committee members approved a technical cleanup to update a statutory reference for the statewide economic development strategic plan and workforce development transfer (an AIDT-related cleanup). Representative Brown moved approval, Representative Pauls seconded, and the committee voted in favor.
The chair closed the meeting by thanking members for their review of the legislation and their work in committee. Several items, including HB395 and HB513, were carried for further internal work with ABC and staff rather than being advanced today.