H_SA_2019A 01/29/2019 01:30:46 PM Committee Summary

Representative Ransom, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1101. The bill prohibits an employer from requiring employee membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment and from requiring employees to pay dues or fees to a labor organization, charity, or other third party. Standing agreements that violate these prohibitions are made void. The bill also defines all-union agreements as unfair labor practices. Violations by employers are considered unclassified misdemeanors and are subject to civil actions and criminal penalties of a fine up to $1,000, imprisonment in county jail for up to 90 days, or both. Civil remedies include all damages and attorney fees resulting from the violation. The Attorney General or the district attorney of each judicial district is responsible for investigating complaints and taking actions to enforce the statute. Federal employers and employees, as well as those covered by the Railway Labor Act, are exempt from the bill.

Brad Bergford, Commission for the Protection of Constitutional Rights, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bergford answered questions from the committee.

John Kalb, National Right to Work Committee, testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A). Mr. Kalb answered questions from the committee.

Mickey Conway, Laborers' International Union of North America, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jon Perkins, National Association of Letter Carriers - AFL-CIO, testified in opposition to the bill.

Brian Buyaki, Communication Workers of America, testified in opposition to the bill.

Miles Meese, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, testified in opposition to the bill.

Louis Washington, Teamsters Local 455, testified in opposition to the bill.

Zorelle Rainey, Teamsters Local 455, testified in opposition to the bill.

Representative Ransom made concluding remarks on the bill. She referenced a letter from National Federation of Independent Business (Attachment B). Committee members commented on the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order. Representative Baisley, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1111. The bill requires the state Attorney General's office to organize and provide an annual training of at least one hour in length to members of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission regarding the state's obligation of religious neutrality and consistency when considering claims that involve freedom of speech or free exercise of religion. The annual training must be provided no later than November 15 of each year beginning in 2019. Representative Baisley distributed two handouts to the committee (Attachments C and D).

Dawn Howard, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified on the bill.

Brad Bergford, Commission for the Protection of Constitutional Rights, testified in opposition to the bill. Committee members made comments. Representative Baisley responded to member comments.

Barry Roseman, Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr Roseman answered questions from the committee.

Representative Baisley made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made comments regarding the bill.

Representative Williams, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1081. The bill allows a respondent to a discrimination complaint filed with the Colorado Civil Rights Division or Commission to request representation by a public defender; request to move the matter to a court of competent jurisdiction in certain cases; and to recoup legal costs and lost business income if all appeals are exhausted or if the U.S. Supreme Court rules in their favor.

Representative Williams answered questions from the committee.

Erin Reynolds, Legislative Council Staff, answered questions from the committee regarding the bill's fiscal note.

Kristi Brown, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Brown answered questions from the committee.

Barry Roseman, Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Maureen Cain, Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, testified in a neutral capacity on the bill.

Jennifer Roberts, resenting herself and the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill.

Daniel Ramos, One Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Josh Dickson, Union of Affirming Christians, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Dickson answered questions from the committee.

Representative Williams made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.