Nonsubstantive Relocation of Definitions in Colorado Revised Statutes
However, a number of definitions are "hidden" in the statutes, meaning a definition for an entire article, part, or title is not in a definitions section. Instead, the definition is one sentence of many in a section within the part or article. The purpose of the bill is to "unhide" these definitions by moving them into definitions sections where readers would expect to, and can more easily, find them.
In the bill, when a term is defined for a part or article and the term, in current law, is in its own subdivision, that entire provision is relocated to a new or existing definitions section. For example, section 4 of the bill relocates the definition of "student election judge" from section 1-6-101 (7)(b), Colorado Revised Statutes, to a newly created definitions section for article 6 of title 1, Colorado Revised Statutes. When a provision is relocated to a new or existing definitions section, the language in the current provision must be repealed, so that the 2 references don't simultaneously exist in statute. Section 338 repeals all the relocated provisions in the bill.
When a term or phrase is defined for a part or article and the term in current law is embedded within another provision, the phrase containing the defined term is removed from that provision and the term is added to:
- A newly created definitions section for that part or article; or
- An existing definitions section for that part or article.
In a very few instances, when definitions were moved, conforming amendments were needed, meaning that a reference to that definition in another section of law needed to be deleted or updated to reference the new definitions section. Sections 5, 6, 13, 29, 31, 128, 157, 182, 183, 206, 207, 218, 274, 279, and 292 are conforming amendments.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)