H_JUD_2021A 05/19/2021 04:05:00 PM Committee Summary

Representatives Herod and Gray, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 21-1314, concerning the authority of the Department of Revenue to take action against certain documents. Representative Herod explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Phil Weiser, Attorney General, testified in support of the bill.

Matthew Packard, representing the Colorado State Patrol, testified in support of HB 21-1314.

Emily Dindial, representing the ACLU, testified in support of the bill.

Priya Sarathy Jones, representing the Fines and Fees Justice Center, testified in support of the bill.

Meghan Dollar, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition to HB 21-1314.

Robert Frick, representing the Colorado Municipal Judges Association, testified on the bill from an "amend" position.

Shane Madsen, representing the Independence Institute, testified in support of HB 21-1314.

Helen Griffiths, representing the ACLU, testified in support of the bill.

Denise Maes, representing the ACLU, testified in support of the bill.

Esther Turcios, representing the Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding jurisprudence surrounding the concept of holding a driver's license being a fundamental right.

Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment A). Discussion ensued regarding the fiscal impact of the bill, as affected by the amendment.

Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.004 (Attachment B). Discussion ensued regarding support for the amendment by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.003 (Attachment C). Discussion ensued regarding the fee level that is being replaced by the amendment.

Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment D). Conrad Imel, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided clarification on the effect of the amendment. Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the amendment.

Representatives Herod and Gray provided closing remarks in support of HB 21-1314. Representatives Carver and Weissman provided their positions on the bill.

Representative Herod, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 21-1315, concerning eliminating certain monetary amounts a juvenile in the justice system is required to pay.  Representative Herod explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need.

Julissa Soto, representing herself, testified in support of HB 21-1315.

Ann Roan, representing the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center, testified in support of the bill.

Arnold Hanuman, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified on HB 21-1315 from an "amend" position. Mr. Hanuman responded to questions regarding the removal of certain fines and fees by the bill, and the loss of revenue by forfeiting uncollected fines.

Emma Aguirre, representing the UC Berkeley Policy Advocacy Clinic, testified in support of HB 21-1315.

Tristan Gorman, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Gorman read the testimony of Michael Juba.

Devan Shea, representing the UC Berkeley Policy Advocacy Clinic, testified in support of the bill.

Elise Logemann, representing the ACLU, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Shea was asked to provide data on certain rural counties. Ms. Gorman responded to questions regarding organizations that support the bill. Ms. Shea responded to questions regarding the nature of certain fees impacted by the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the impact of juvenile fines in terms of indigency.

Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment E).

Representative Woodrow explained the effecto of amendment L.002 (Attachment F).  Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.003 (Attachment G). Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the amendment.

Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.004 (Attachment H). Representative Herod responded to questions regarding the party that would cover certain costs under the amendment.

Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.007 (Attachment I).

Representative Herod provided closing remarks in support of HB 21-1315. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.