9850FAB0AF99D26087258A7F0062A87F Hearing Summary CLICS/CLICS2023A/commsumm.nsf PUBLICBILL SUMMARY For MODEL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AUTHORITY ACTJOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON COLORADO COMMISSION ON UNIFORM STATE LAWSDate Dec 8, 2023 Location HCR 0112 Model Public Health Emergency Authority Act - Will not proceed forward this year 10:57:38 AM There was no public testimony on this agenda item. Commissioner Levy asked if there is current law regarding governor authority and if anything would need to be repealed because of the act, or, if there is no clear authority in statute then should the commission proceed forward with the act to fill this gap. Jennifer Berman, OLLS, answered that there is existing authority for the governor to declare an emergency disaster under section 24-33.5-704 where it lists various circumstances that qualify. And in section 24-33.5-703.3 definitions of disaster include declaring an emergency epidemic. Strikethrough language was not included in the draft because it was not clear if the model act would necessarily override existing authority or was intended to work with it. Also, the model act required the creation of a new part and not just a section within current law and the new section could not be placed close to current law. She suggested that the commission should also consider the Department of Public Health and Environment's existing authority with regards to public health emergency statewide responses for controlling epidemics found in section 25-1.5-101 and 102. Commissioner Levy thanked Ms. Berman and noted that the act states that it creates the exclusive emergency authority for the Governor which would seem to override any other statutory authority. 11:07:51 AM Commission consensus was to not pursue introducing this act this year.