70FCC14390A0402487258AD8007DE69E Hearing Summary

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. Representatives McCluskie and deGruy Kennedy, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-157, concerning clarifying the application of the Colorado Open Meetings Law to the Colorado General Assembly. Representative McCluskie explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative deGruy Kennedy provided additional input on the bill.  Public comment on SB 24-157 may be found at Attachment C.

Mr. Jeff Roberts, representing Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill.

Kathleen Gegner, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Tim Regan-Porter, representing the Colorado Press Association, testified on SB 24-157 from an amend position.

Natalie Menten, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Linda Hutchinson, representing the League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding the ability of legislators to confer with each other outside of open meetings under the bill, and the promotion of transparency by the bill. Mr. Roberts responded to questions regarding his experiences in approaching legislators in an open meeting context.

Representative Elisabeth Epps, representing herself, testified in opposition to SB 24-157.

Representative Epps responded to questions regarding potential amendments to the bill.

No amendments were offered to SB 24-157. Representatives deGruy Kennedy and McCluskie provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.