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S_JUD_2023A 04/19/2023 01:34:27 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date 04/19/2023
Attendance
Gardner X
Roberts X
Van Winkle X
Rodriguez *
Gonzales X
Time 01:34:27 PM to 04:25:38 PM
Place SCR 354
This Meeting was called to order by Gonzales
This Report was prepared by Juliann Jenson
Hearing Items Action Taken
HCR23-1001 Lay Over
HB23-1019 Lay Over
HB23-1205 Lay Over
SB23-282 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
HB23-1192 Lay Over

HCR23-1001 - Lay Over


01:36:42 PM  

Senator Gonzales and Gardner, co-prime sponsors, presented House Concurrent Resolution 23-1001, submitting to the registered electors of the state of Colorado an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning judicial discipline, and, in connection therewith, establishing an independent judicial discipline adjudicative board, setting standards for judicial review of a discipline case, and clarifying when discipline proceedings become public. 

Chief Justice Brian Boatright, representing Judicial Department, testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion followed about confidentiality in other states and judicial discipline rulemaking committees. 

01:47:54 PM  

Mr. Jim Browsky, representing themself, testified to amend the bill to include family courts. 

01:52:44 PM  

Ms. Emma Garrison, epresenting Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Hon. David Prince, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions about the composition of the proposed rulemaking bodies and appointment authority. 

02:04:00 PM  

Ms. Ariana Busby, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Carol, representing herself, testified about the bill.

Helena Topa, representing herself, testified against the bill.

Attachment A is a handout from a witness. 

02:14:11 PM  

The bill was laid over to review proposed amendments. 

 

.



HB23-1019 - Lay Over


02:16:47 PM  

Senators Gardner and Gonzales, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1019, concerning judicial discipline, and, in connection therewith, ensuring complainant rights in judicial discipline proceedings and making an appropriation.  The bill sponsors explained the bill and recapped the Interim Committee on Judicial Discipline. 

Committee members asked questions about amendments made in the House. 

02:22:27 PM  

Ms Jeni Dees, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms Kelly Haviland, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Hon. David Prince, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

02:33:28 PM  

Ms. Emma Garrison, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Ariana Busby, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion followed about modernizing the judicial discipline process. 

02:36:19 PM  

Dr. Malia Reddick, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

02:40:06 PM  

The bill was laid over to review proposed amendments. 



HB23-1205 - Lay Over


02:44:27 PM  

Senators Gardner and Moreno, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1205, concerning the creation of the Office of the Judicial Discipline Ombudsman, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. 

Committee members asked questions about the office and who it will serve and in what capacity.   Committee discussion ensued about where the office would be housed. 

02:59:08 PM  

Melissa Thompson, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked questions about the ombudsman's scope. 

03:06:44 PM  

Ms. Emma Garrison, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Ariana Busby, representing Colorado Women’s Bar Association (CWBA), testified in support of the bill.

Committee members discussed if the proposed ombudsman would cover both internal and external complaints.  They continued the discussion about the relationship of the proposed ombudsman to the Commission on Judicial Discipline. 

03:20:37 PM  

Hon. David Prince, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members engaged in a discussion with the witness about the independence and scope of the of the proposed ombudsman office. 

03:34:35 PM  

Ms. Elizabeth Espinosa Krupa, representing Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline, testified in support of the bill.

Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Newman, representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Committee members asked questions about the Child Protection Ombudsman. 

03:52:25 PM  

Justice Marquez, representing the Judicial Department, testified in an amend position.

Committee members engaged in a discussion with the witness about the proposed ombudsman office, including who it intends to serve, the scope, and nature of the misconduct. 

04:17:00 PM  

The bill was laid over to work on amendments. 

 

Written testimony concerning HCR23-1001, HB23-1019, and HB 23-1205 may be found in Attachment B. 



SB23-282 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole


04:17:59 PM  

Senators Gardner and Gonzales, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-282, concerning the creation of "Jury Appreciation Day".

04:20:19 PM  

Committee members asked questions about observed holidays. 

04:23:33 PM  

Committee members raised concerns about celebrating Constitutional obligations.



04:25:05 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 23-282 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Gardner
Seconded
Gardner Yes
Roberts No
Van Winkle No
Rodriguez Yes
Gonzales Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB23-1192 - Lay Over


04:25:34 PM  

House Bill 23-1192 was laid over to a later date.


04:25:38 PM   The committee adjourned.






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