Working For You
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.
