H_SA_2018A 03/15/2018 10:32:29 AM Committee Summary

Representative Thurlow, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-107. Under current law, when there is a vacancy for a nomination in a nonpartisan municipal position after a candidate withdraws or dies prior to the 23rd day before a polling place election or the 63rd day before a mail ballot election, the Colorado Municipal Election Code contains a procedure for forming a vacancy committee listed on the nominating petition to select another nominee.  The bill removes this process and makes conforming amendments.

Karen Goldman, Colorado Municipal League and Colorado Municipal Clerks Association, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Goldman answered questions from the committee.

Representative Thurlow made concluding remarks about the bill.

Committee members made comments regarding the bill.

Representative Melton, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-076. The bill makes it an unclassified misdemeanor crime to trade or offer to trade a vote for or against a candidate, ballot issue, or ballot question. The penalty for an offender convicted of vote trading is a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment of up to one year in county jail, or both.

Representative Melton answered questions from the committee.

Suzanne Staiert, Colorado Department of State, testified in support of the bill.  She answered questions from the committee.

Committee discussion with Ms. Staiert ensued.

Elizabeth Steele, Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.  She answered questions from the committee.

Representative Foote discussed laying the bill over with Representative Melton.  The bill was laid over for action only to a date to be determined.