Colorado Capitol Report

LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Paid Family Leave Bill Will Cost Every Employer and Employee


LEGISLATIVE ALERT: Paid Family Leave Bill Will Cost Every Employer

A new bill was heard this week in the legislature, called the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) bill or SB 188. The Colorado Chamber of Commerce is very concerned about this bills impact on businesses and workers in this state.

The FAMLI bill requires all public and private sector employers and workers to participate in and finance a family and medical leave program that would be administered by the Department of Labor and Employment.

Previous versions of this bill have been attempted in the past and have died on a bipartisan vote, in part due to the steep price tag. This bill is a $1 billion program, with all employers and employees in Colorado responsible for funding it.

An overview of our concerns are as follows:

  • There are no exemptions for paying for the program:  It will be mandatory for employers of all sizes, both public and private to pay a fee regardless of whether they already offer a paid leave program now.  All workers will be required to pay for the program.
  • The bill fails to align with the Federal Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which could result in potential “stacking” of leave in which a worker could be on leave for six months or more – 12+ weeks under FAMLI and 12 weeks under FMLA based on expansion of the definition of “family member” and the reduced amount of time required on the job – only 3 months.
  • A worker can take up to 12 weeks of leave in a 52-week period.  For a “separate qualifying event,” the worker can take another four weeks of leave.
  • Every employer will be required to maintain the position for the full duration of a worker’s leave while finding temporary skilled workers to replace those on leave.
  • An employer who has benefits that meet or exceed the program’s benefits cannot require a worker to take the employer’s current benefits.  Both employer & employee will be required to pay for the program regardless of existing benefits.
  • Employers will be required to administer the program but won’t be reimbursed for admin costs.

This bill is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday, March 19th in the Senate Finance Committee at the State Capitol. If you share our concerns with this bill, we’re asking that you consider testifying in opposition to SB 188. For more information on the hearing, please contact Loren Furman at 303-866-9642.

We would also ask that you please contact the prime sponsors and legislators on key committees to express your concerns:

Prime Sponsors: 

Senator Angela Williams, [email protected], 303-866-4864

Senator Faith Winter, [email protected]; 303-866-4863

Rep. Matt Gray, [email protected]; 303-866-4667

Rep. Monica Duran, [email protected], 303-866-5522

 

Finance Committee:

Senator Lois Court (D)
[email protected]
303-866-4861

Senator Pete Lee (D)
[email protected]
303-866-6364

Senator Paul Lundeen (R )
[email protected]
303-866-4835

Senator Julie Gonzales (D)
[email protected]
303-866-4862

Senator Nancy Todd (D)
[email protected]
303-866-3432

Senator Rob Woodward (R )
[email protected]
303-866-4853

Appropriations Committee:

Senator Rachel Zenzinger, Chair (D)
[email protected]
303-866-4840

Senator Dominick Moreno, Vice Chair (D)
[email protected]
303-866-4857

Senator Mike Foote (D)
[email protected]
303-866-5291

Senator Bob Gardner (R )
[email protected]
303-866-4880

Senator Dennis Hisey (R )
[email protected]
303-866-4877

Senator Julie Gonzales (D)
[email protected]
303-866-4862

Senator Bob Rankin (R )
[email protected];
303-866-5292

Senator Robert Rodriguez (D)
[email protected]
303-866-4852

Senator Nancy Todd (D)
[email protected]
303-866-3432

Senator Rob Woodward (R )
[email protected]
303-866-4853

Resources on SB 188:

Get the facts on the FAMLI bill

Read the op-ed by Loren Furman in ColoradoPolitics

Joint Press Release from Colorado Employers


PRESS RELEASE: Colorado Employers Release Statement on SB 188 Committee Hearing

Senate Bill 188, the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) bill, was heard on Wednesday in the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee amid blizzard conditions.

A coalition of Colorado employers that represent millions of worker across the state joined together to release a joint statement on their opposition to the legislation.

Click here to view the press release.


Colorado Chamber Board Update

At last month’s board meeting, the Colorado Chamber welcomed its newest board member, Joanne Sherwood. Joanne is President and CEO at Citywide Banks and has built a solid career and reputation in the banking and financial services industry. She has over three decades of experience in banking and is currently serving as the Chair-elect for the Colorado Banker’s Association.

She is also an active board member with the Denver Hospice, a nonprofit providing hospice and palliative care services for patients and support services for families throughout nine Colorado counties. Joanne also volunteers with Arrupe Jesuit High School, a college preparatory school serving economically disadvantaged students from Denver’s inner-city neighborhoods. Previously, she served on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club of Denver and the Home Builders Association.

We’re proud to have Joanne on board!


Attend a Council Meeting and Hear from our Guest Speakers

Policy Councils are at the core of the Colorado Chamber’s work and provide an opportunity for dialogue between our members, key legislators and state agency leaders. Influential guest speakers for upcoming councils are listed below

Energy & Environment:

March 27th:  Representative Chris Hansen, Joint Budget Committee and Chair of Appropriations Committee

April 17th: Doug Benevento, EPA Region 8 Administrator

Please visit our online calendar for a complete list of council meetings.


Sponsorships Going Fast, Don't Miss your Chance...Sponsor Colorado Chamber's 2019 Annual Golf Tournament

Join us Friday, May 24, 2019

The Broadmoor Hotel
1 Lake Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Registration:
11:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.

Shotgun Start:
1:00 p.m.

19th Hole Party & Awards Ceremony:
Immediately following Tournament

 

Contact [email protected] for Sponsorship Opportunities

Current Sponsorship Opportunities:

19th Hole Party & Awards Ceremony Sponsor

Investment $10,000

(One Available)

  • One complimentary foursome
  • Prominent logo recognition in event program
  • A speaking opportunity for Executive to address audience at the ceremony
  • Logo recognition on Chamber Website Events Page with link to company website
  • Opportunity to supply promotional brochures/items in attendee goodie bag
  • Four non-golfer tickets for the 19th Hole Party & Awards  Ceremony
  • Two night accommodations at the Broadmoor during the tournament

Lunch Sponsor

Investment $5,500

(One Available)

  • One complimentary foursome
  • Prominent signage on each lunch provided
  • Verbal recognition at event
  • Logo recognition on Chamber Website Events Page with link to company website
  • Opportunity to supply promotional brochure/ items in attendee goodie bag
  • Four non-golfer tickets for the 19th Hole Party & Awards Ceremony
  • One night accommodations at the Broadmoor for either Thursday or Friday night

Corporate Hole Sponsor

Investment $3,500

(12 Available)

  • One complimentary foursome
  • Signage at hole including company logo
  • Verbal recognition at event
  • Logo recognition on Chamber Website Events Page with link to company website
  • Recognition in email correspondence including invitations & programs
  • Opportunity to provide promotional brochure/items in attendee goodie bag
  • One night accommodations at the Broadmoor for either Thursday or Friday night
 

Foursome:
Colorado Chamber Member $2,000
 

Individual Golfer:
Colorado Chamber Member: $500