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79AAC7B2ABFB45C2872582200072ADAE Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB18-1029

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Jan 25, 2018      
Location HCR 0112



HB18-1029 - Referred to House Appropriations


01:53:17 PM  

Mr. Hassan Latif, representing the Second Chance Center, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Latif discussed his experiences while on parole, and the work of the Second Chance Center in helping parolees to reintegrate into society.  Mr. Latif discussed the impact of certain aspects of parole supervision on parolees, and costs associated with extended periods of parole.

02:02:53 PM  

Reverend Tammy Williams, representing the NAACP and the Above the Waters Project, testified in support of HB 18-1029. Reverend Williams read a statement concerning the benefits to be realized by the passage of the bill.  Reverend Williams responded to questions regarding the costs associated with the final two years of parole under current law, and the level of services provided to her by parole officers over the term of her parole.

02:12:04 PM  

Mr. Tom Byrnes, representing the Eighteenth Judicial District District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill.  He objected to lowering the term of parole for class 2 felonies, and explained his reasons for doing so.  Mr. Byrnes responded to questions regarding the expectations of victims with regard to parole, and the recidivism rate for class 2 felony offenders as compared to other levels of offense. Discussion ensued on this point.  Discussion followed regarding the correlation between the level of offense and recidivism, as compared to the level of risk of reoffending.

02:29:07 PM  

Ms. Jean Fredlund, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Fredlund explained that parole periods should be based on the individual, and discussed the incentives for offenders of lowering the parole period.

02:32:02 PM  

Reverend Patrick Demmer, representing the Graham Memorial Church of God in Christ, testified in support of HB 18-1029.  Reverend Demmer discussed the impact of parole on minority communities, and costs associated with lengthy parole periods.  He discussed recidivism during the first three years of parole as compared to recidivism during additional years of parole.

02:37:14 PM  

Mr. Tristan Gorman, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Gorman discussed evidence that supports reducing parole for class 2 and 3 felonies, and addressed issues raised during earlier testimony.  Discussion returned to the potential for making the parole period "stair step" from four years of parole to three between class 2 and class 3 felonies.  Discussion followed regarding the position of victims groups on HB 18-1029.

02:51:03 PM  

Representative Wist explained the effect of Amendment L.002 (Attachment B).  The committee discussed the merits of the amendment.



03:00:58 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.002
Moved Wist
Seconded Lundeen
Benavidez No
Carver Yes
Foote No
Herod No
Lundeen Yes
Melton No
Weissman No
Willett Yes
Wist Yes
Salazar Excused
Lee No
YES: 4   NO: 6   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL


03:05:09 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 18-1029 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Weissman
Seconded Melton
Benavidez Yes
Carver No
Foote Yes
Herod Yes
Lundeen No
Melton Yes
Weissman Yes
Willett No
Wist No
Salazar Excused
Lee Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 4   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS






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