HB 1119

This week, the Bell Policy Center submitted testimony in favor of two bills, HB 1119 and HB 1400.

HB 1400 would require those "facilitators" who prepare tax returns and arrange refund-anticipation loans (RALs) to register with the Internal Revenue Service. The Bell considers these loans to be a type of predatory lending that strips resources from low- and moderate-income communities.

Lawmakers and Colorado residents will be better able to judge the performance of state programs and whether they are accomplishing their goals under a bill signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on Saturday.

The State Measurements for Accountable, Responsive and Transparent (SMART) Government Act – HB 1119 – ties state funding more closely to results, increases transparency and improves public access to budget data.