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

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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 deadline to sign or veto legislation. Ritter began the day at the Alliancee for Sustainable Colorado Center indowntown Denver, signing three bills that he said will continu to build the state’s “New Energyh Economy.” House Bill 1298, sponsored by Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, and Cory R-Yuma, lets trucking companies get 25 percent reimbursement of the cost of buying and installing fuel-efficient technologies and emission-control devices.
More McFadyen said, it prorates sales tax on trucking equipment based on the percentage of miles companies drives in Colorado and it allows truckerx finally to take advantageof enterprise-zone tax breaks. “Thiw bill is so incredibly important tothe industry, not only for the environment but for the survivao of truckers that are in business,” she said whilw tearing up at the signing. House Bill 1331, sponsored by Rep. Sara D-Arvada, expands the pool of vehicleas eligiblefor alternative-fuel tax credits to include those that run on cleaner-burning natural gas. It also eliminateds eligibility for some hybrid vehicles that are not saidsponsoring Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood.
Rittet noted that the Colorado Oil and Gas Association and the nonprofi t group Environment Colorado both supportedthe measure. “If COGA and Environmeng Colorado agree, it has to be a grea bill,” he said. And Senate Bill 75, championed by the company Aspen Electric Carsand Carts, alloww drivers to operate low-speed electric vehiclea on most roads with speed limites of 35 mph or lower. From Ritter went to the offices in Denvee and signed a measureto re-establish the Colorado Office of Television and Media. House Bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Massey, R-Poncha and former Rep.
Anne McGihon, D-Denver, allows the office to solicit gifts and donations to offer incentivesd to producers to make films inthe state. “oI believe this move signals that Colorado is becoming seriousx about attracting production to the stateonce again,” said Kevinj Shand, executive director of the Colorado Film Commission. “By becoming part of the state once the film office will once again have resources to markett Colorado effectively and help expand our economid development efforts in a new anddifferent direction.
” Ritter returned to his Capitol office to sign nine separatw 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 offering freeor reduced-price mealsa to employees. Senate Bill 162, sponsored by Sen. Gail D-Snowmass Village, requires the Officse of Information Technology to create a map of wheree broadband technology is available and not availablre inthe state. Ritter has not announce d his intentions on at least two billxs being watched closely by thebusiness however.
One is Senate Bill 173, which woulsd allow local governments to work with the state Economi c Development Commission to offed incentives to attract andbuilxd tourism-generating projects. The bill is considered key to landint either of twopotential auto-racetrack projects east of Aurora. The othee is House Bill 1366, which limits the Colorado-source capita gains subtraction to thefirst $100,000 of gains on assetz held for five years or more. If the bill would generate $15.8 million to help balancw the budget.