h_jud_2017a_2017-03-16t13:38:51z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/16/2017

Location: RM 271

04:39 PM -- HB17-1230



The committee returned to order. Representatives Salazar and Esgar, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1230, concerning protection for Colorado residents from federal government overreach based on a person's status. Committee members received a list of organizations supporting the bill (Attachment E) and a fact sheet (Attachment F). Representative Salazar discussed the genesis of the bill and explained its effect. He also discussed the effect of a forthcoming amendment.



17HouseJud0316AttachE.pdf 17HouseJud0316AttachF.pdf



04:49 PM



Representative Esgar explained why she is supporting HB 17-1230. The following persons testified regarding HB 17-1230:



04:51 PM -- Dr. JoAnn Fujioka, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Fujioka discussed her experiences during the 1940s when she was interned in a camp, and the actions of Governor Ralph Carr. Dr. Fujioka responded to questions regarding her family's expectations when those of Japanese descent were being moved into internment camps.



05:01 PM -- Ms. Charlene Hardcastle, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Hardcastle explained that the bill would create the impression that Colorado is a "sanctuary state". Ms. Hardcastle responded to questions regarding what constitutes a sanctuary entity.



05:07 PM -- Ms. Robin Yasui, representing the Minoru Yasui Legacy Project Coalition for an Inclusive Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Yasui discussed the internment of those of Japanese descent during World War II, and the importance of resisting certain government activities based on ethnicity or religious affiliation. She discussed the work of her relatives to resist the internment of Japanese-Americans.



05:14 PM -- Mr. Kian Ipakchi-Saiy, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed his background. Committee members received copies of Mr. Ipakchi-Saiy's testimony (Attachment G).



17HouseJud0316AttachG.pdf



05:19 PM -- Ms. Pantea Beigi, representing the Spring Institute, testified in support of the bill. She discussed actions that the federal government took in 2002 with respect to creating a Muslim registry, and the impact on certain communities. Mr. Ipakchi-Saiy responded to questions regarding bullying in school based on ethnicity, and his support for HB 17-1230. Ms. Beigi responded to questions regarding participation by the state of California with the Muslim registry in 2002.



05:31 PM -- Ms. Iman Jodeh, representing the Interfaith Alliance and the Colorado Muslim Society, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jodeh discussed the obligation of the state to protect certain communities, and spoke of the virtues of her community. She discussed injustices that have been perpetrated on her. Ms. Jodeh responded to questions regarding the crime rates of immigrants.



05:37 PM -- Ms. Eleanor Cabell, representing Indivisible Colorado and the Colorado Coalition for Reproductive Rights, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Cabell explained how the bill protects individual liberty, citing certain sections of the U.S. and Colorado Constitutions. Ms. Cabell responded to questions regarding the applicability of the U.S. Constitution to immigrants. Discussion ensued regarding a federal firearms registry.



05:47 PM -- Ms. Denise Maes, representing the ACLU, testified in support of HB 17-1230. Ms. Maes explained that state resources should be used for state issues, and noted that the bill will enhance community trust in government. Ms. Maes responded to questions regarding the interplay between the bill and certain executive orders on immigration issues, and the definition of sanctuary city.



05:57 PM -- Ms. Nushin Farjadi, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Farjadi read a poem, and discussed her background. She discussed some harassment her son has experienced in school, as well as some harassment she has experienced.



06:02 PM -- Mr. Michael Bellmont, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bellmont cited the value of immigration, and sang a song.



06:06 PM -- Mr. Karl Chwe, representing the Indivisible Front Range Resistance, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Chwe read a statement. Committee members received a packet of information, including Mr. Chwe's statement (Attachment H).



17HouseJud0316AttachH.pdf



06:10 PM -- Ms. Debbie Barris, representing the people of planet Earth, testified in support of the bill.



06:12 PM -- Mr. Kyle Huelsman, representing the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Huelsman clarified the effect of the legislation.



06:15 PM -- Ms. Jill Wildenberg, representing the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wildenberg discussed the plight of the Jews, and the merits of HB 17-1230.



06:18 PM -- Mr. Justin Valas, representing himself, testified in support of HB 17-1230. Mr. Valas discussed the necessity of passing the bill, citing the circumstances surrounding the internment of those of Japanese descent during World War II.



06:24 PM -- Ms. Karla Gonzales Garcia, representing COLOR, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Gonzales Garcia reiterated the effect of the legislation, and noted the efforts of Governor Ralph Carr to oppose internment.



06:27 PM -- Ms. Amy Marshall, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Marshall read a letter authored by a friend, and read a statement of her own.



06:31 PM -- Mr. John Edward Soto, representing Developing an Active Latino Electorate, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Soto spoke against creating a federal registry based on religion, and cited U.S. Supreme Court jurisprudence.



06:34 PM -- Dr. Sarah Hemeida, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Hemeida listed her reasons for supporting the bill, and noted a rise in fear among certain communities. Dr. Hemeida responded to questions regarding treatment of immigrants at Denver Health.



06:40 PM -- Ms. Palwasha Khan, representing herself, testified in support of HB 17-1230. Ms. Khan discussed the contribution of Muslims to the United States.



06:43 PM -- Ms. Andrea Chiriboga-Flor, representing 9 to 5 Colorado and Colorado Homes for All, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Chiriboga-Flor discussed the centrality of housing, and the displacement of certain communities. She also discussed fear experienced by certain communities.



06:47 PM -- Ms. Laurel Hayden, representing FRESC, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Hayden discussed fear experienced by certain communities.



06:49 PM -- Mr. Miguel Ceballos, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ceballos discussed his emigration to the United States, and the need for protections by certain communities.



06:52 PM -- Ms. Kiersten Chartier, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Chartier discussed her experiences abroad, and spoke against a hostile environment created by the federal government.



06:55 PM -- Ms. Julie Gonzales, representing the Meyer Law Office, PC, testified in support of HB 17-1230. She discussed the work of her office, and executive orders signed by the President. She discussed activities undertaken by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.



06:59 PM -- Ms. Willow Arnold, representing the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Arnold spoke in support of equal treatment before the law. Ms. Arnold read the testimony of Ruth Mackey (Attachment I).



17HouseJud0316AttachI.pdf



07:01 PM



Committee members received a packet of letters supporting the bill (Attachment J). Representative Salazar explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment K ). Discussion ensued regarding the position of law enforcement on the amendment, and the sharing of information



17HouseJud0316AttachJ.pdf 17HouseJud0316AttachK.pdf

07:08 PM



Discussion ensued regarding the position of the Ralph Carr family on HB 17-1230, and the title of the bill. A statement was entered into the record. Representatives Salazar and Esgar provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the legislation.

07:48 PM



The committee adjourned.