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H_SA_2016A 03/16/2016 11:48:58 AM Committee Summary

Final

STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING



HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Date: 03/16/2016
ATTENDANCE
Time: 11:48 AM to 01:29 PM
Foote
X
Humphrey
X
Place: LSB A
Leonard
X
Neville P.
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Primavera
X
Representative Ryden
Tyler
X
Wist
X
This Report was prepared by
Lontine
X
Julia Jackson
Ryden
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB16-1180 Postponed Indefinitely





11:49 AM -- HB16-1180



Representative Humphrey, sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1180 to the committee. The bill prohibits any state action from directly or indirectly constraining the exercise of religion, except in cases involving a compelling government interest. State action includes state and local laws, ordinances, policies, rules, regulations, or other actions by a state or local government, political subdivision, or public official. State and local governments must use the least restrictive means of furthering a government interest. Persons whose exercise of religion is burdened, or likely to be burdened, may assert this violation as a claim or defense in court. The bill authorizes various remedies, including damages, injunctions, costs, and attorney fees.



11:52 AM --
Jacki Cooper Melmed, Chief Legal Counsel for Governor Hickenlooper, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.



12:05 PM --
Natalie Decker, representing the Colorado Freedom Institute and Colorado Family Action, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee member questions.



12:22 PM --
Mizraim Cordero, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.



12:30 PM --
Bryan Neihart, representing the Colorado Community for the Protection of Constitutional Rights, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee member questions.



12:36 PM --
Kenneth Boyd, representing himself, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.























12:47 PM --
David Armstrong, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



12:52 PM --
Rabbi Stephen Booth Nadev, representing the Rocky Mountain Rabbinical Council, testified against the bill.



12:57 PM -- Rev. Jasper Peters, a pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church, testified against the bill.



12:59 PM --
Dilpreet Jammu, representing Colorado Sikhs, testified against the bill.



01:04 PM --
Morgan Cullen, representing the Aurora Economic Development Council, testified against the bill.



01:07 PM --
John Brackney, representing himself, testified against the bill.





01:11 PM



Mr. Cullen and Mr. Brackney responded to committee member questions.



01:16 PM --
Peg Perl, representing the Women's Lobby of Colorado, testified against the bill.



01:20 PM --
Barry Roseman, representing the Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers' Association, testified against the bill.



01:22 PM --
Stephen Mesward, representing himself, provided a letter from five district attorneys from around the state opposed to the bill (Attachment A). He also noted that ACLU of Colorado opposes the bill.



16HouseState0316AttachA.pdf16HouseState0316AttachA.pdf



01:23 PM --
Mark Lewis, representing himself, testified against the bill.















































01:25 PM



Representative Humphrey wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

BILL: HB16-1180
TIME: 01:27:25 PM
MOVED: Humphrey
MOTION: Refer House Bill 16-1180 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 4-5.
SECONDED: Neville P.
VOTE
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Leonard
Yes
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
No
Tyler
No
Wist
Yes
Lontine
No
Ryden
No
YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL: HB16-1180
TIME: 01:28:22 PM
MOVED: Lontine
MOTION: Postpone House Bill 16-1180 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 5-4.
SECONDED: Foote
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Leonard
No
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Wist
No
Lontine
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

















01:29 PM



House Bill 16-1208 was laid over to a later date.





01:29 PM



The committee adjourned.


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