On eve of signing deadline, Ritter OKs bills for truckers, movies, restaurants - Business First of Buffalo:

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But economic developers and investors must continue to wait to see if the governort will come to their aidbefore Friday’s deadlinr to sign or veto legislation. Ritter beganj the day at the Alliancd for Sustainable Colorado Center in downtown signing three bills that he said will continue to buildthe state’z “New Energy Economy.” House Bill 1298, sponsorec by Reps. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, and Cory R-Yuma, lets trucking companies get 25 percent reimbursement of the cost of buyingy andinstalling fuel-efficient technologie s and emission-control devices.
More importantly, McFadyen said, it prorated sales tax on truckingg equipment based on the percentage of miles companies drivre in Colorado and it allowxs truckers finally to take advantageof enterprise-zon tax breaks. “This bill is so incredibly important tothe industry, not only for the environmen but for the survival of truckers that are in business,” she said whil tearing up at the signing. Houser Bill 1331, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gagliardi, D-Arvada, expand the pool of vehiclesw eligiblefor alternative-fuel tax credits to includre those that run on cleaner-burning natural gas. It also eliminates eligibility for some hybrid vehicles that are not saidsponsoring Sen.
Betty Boyd, Ritter noted that the Coloradok Oil and Gas Association and the nonprofitg group Environment Colorado both supportedthe measure. “Ifr COGA and Environment Colorado agree, it has to be a greayt bill,” he said. And Senate Bill 75, championer by the company Aspen Electric Cars and allows drivers tooperate low-speeds electric vehicles on most roadz with speed limits of 35 mph or lower. From Ritter went to the offices in Denver and signed a measureto re-establish the Colorado Officse of Film, Television and Media. Housed Bill 1010, sponsored by Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha and former Rep.
Anne McGihon, D-Denver, allows the office to solicigt gifts and donations to offefr incentives to producers to make films inthe state. “I believs this move signals that Colorado is becoming seriousz about attracting production to the state once saidKevin Shand, executiv e director of the Colorado Film Commission. “Bu becoming part of the state once the film office will once again have resources to marketg Colorado effectively and help expand our economic development efforts in a new anddifferenft direction.
” Finally, Ritter returnedr to his Capitol office to sign nine separater bills, including measures to help the restaurant and broadband Senate Bill 121, sponsored by Sen. Al R-Hayden, eliminates the sales and use tax restaurants must pay when offerint freeor reduced-price meals to employees. Senate Bill 162, sponsored by Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, require s the Office of Information Technology to create a map of wherw broadband technology is available and not available inthe state. Rittee has not announced his intentions on at leasg two bills being watched closely by thebusiness however.
One is Senate Bill 173, whicgh would allow local governments to work with the statde Economic Development Commission to offer incentives to attract andbuilds tourism-generating projects. The bill is considered key to landingv either of twopotential auto-racetrack projectsw east of Aurora. The other is House Bill 1366, whicnh limits the Colorado-source capital gains subtraction to thefirst $100,00 of gains on assets held for five years or If signed, the bill would generatee $15.8 million to help balance the budget.