3335C9F78C20F5BD8725822B00712A13 Hearing Summary

Senator Gardner, explained SB18-135, concerning updates to the Colorado Code of Military Justice and distributed a fact sheet (Attachment A).  He noted that the code has not been updated since 1983 and is in need of modernization.  He answered questions from the committee regarding the origin of, and military review process for, the bill.  

Colonel Gina Simonson, 140th Wing Staff Judge Advocate with the Colorado Air National Guard, testified in favor of the bill.  She explained that the code is due for an update and referenced its relationship to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. 

Lieutenant Colonel Keith Robinson, representing Colorado Army National Guard, spoke in favor of the bill.  He explained the origins of the bill and the review process involved.  He noted that most states have a specific code that takes elements from the Uniform Code of Military Justice but the state ones, including Colorado, are generally not as strict or as harsh in penalties.  He answered questions from the committee regarding the code and other related items.