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Second Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

CLICS/CLICS2026A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB26-149

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Apr 29, 2026       Location HCR 0107

SB26-149 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations
08:43:22 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
08:48:39 PM  
The committee returned to order. Representatives Caldwell and McCluskie, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 26-149. They distributed and explained amendment L.059 (Attachment C). This bill modifies Colorado’s statutory framework governing competency to proceed in criminal cases and establishes new processes to transition certain defendants from the criminal justice system to appropriate civil systems when criminal prosecution is no longer the most appropriate setting.
09:03:07 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to committee questions.
09:03:58 PM  
Mr. James Karbach, representing the Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Becca Butler-Dines, representing the Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill. Brad Turner, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified in support of the bill. Jessica Dotter, representing the Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.
09:21:26 PM  
Discussion continued.
09:40:39 PM  
Matt Buechner, representing the Colorado Hospital Association, testified to amend the bill. Leora Joseph, representing the Colorado Department of Human Services, testified to amend the bill. Anaya Robinson, representing the ACLU of CO, testified to amend the bill. Erin Ralston, representing Aurora Mental Health & Recovery, testified to amend the bill. Ms. Veronica Bell, representing the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified to amend the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.
09:53:09 PM  
Alexis King, representing the 1st Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Joseph Bowman, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Rich Tuttle, representing the 21st Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.

Additional written testimony is included as Attachment D.

10:22:38 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.059 (Attachment C).
Moved Caldwell
Seconded Clifford
Bacon
Caldwell
Clifford
Espenoza
Flanell
Garcia
Keltie
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
10:22:39 PM  
The bill sponsors and members of the committee made closing remarks.

10:37:17 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 26-149, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Caldwell
Seconded Flanell
Bacon Yes
Caldwell Yes
Clifford Yes
Espenoza Yes
Flanell Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie Yes
Soper Yes
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 11   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS