H_SA_2016A 03/16/2016 Committee Summary
Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS
Date: | 03/16/2016 |
ATTENDANCE
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Time: | 11:48 AM to 01:29 PM |
Foote
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X
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Humphrey
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X
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Place: | LSB A |
Leonard
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X
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Neville P.
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X
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This Meeting was called to order by |
Primavera
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X
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Representative Ryden |
Tyler
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X
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Wist
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X
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This Report was prepared by |
Lontine
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X
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Julia Jackson |
Ryden
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X
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X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
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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.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
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Foote
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No
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Humphrey
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Yes
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Leonard
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Yes
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Neville P.
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Yes
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Primavera
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No
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Tyler
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No
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Wist
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Yes
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Lontine
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No
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Ryden
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No
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YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
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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
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Foote
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Yes
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Humphrey
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No
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Leonard
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No
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Neville P.
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No
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Primavera
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Yes
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Tyler
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Yes
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Wist
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No
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Lontine
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Yes
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Ryden
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Yes
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Final YES: 5 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
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01:29 PM
House Bill 16-1208 was laid over to a later date.
01:29 PM
The committee adjourned.