D3AD952CB8F1CCF18725882B0079331F Hearing Summary

Senators Lee and Rodriguez, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1067, concerning clarifying changes to measures that ensure defendants have a prompt bond hearing, and, in connection therewith, making and reducing an appropriation.  They explained that the bill requires municipal courts to hold a bond hearing within 48 hours. 

Jason Lantagne, representing City of Westminster, Presiding Judge, testified to amend the bill.  He raised concerns about deadlines, staffing, and court costs.

Committee members asked questions about costs, timing, staffing, and other barriers to holding bond hearings within 48 hours.  Discussion followed about municipal court offenses. 

Judge Corin Flannigan, representing Colorado Municipal Judges Association, testified to amend the bill.  He discussed municipal court operations

HayDen Kane, representing City of Colorado Springs, testified to amend the bill. He discussed unfunded mandates and municipal court operations.

Committee members asked questions about bond schedules, failure to appear (FTA) rates, and municipal court offenses. 

Elisabeth Epps, representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in support of the bill. She distributed a handout in support of 48 hour municipal bond hearings (Attachment C).

Conor Johnson, representing Mental Health Center of Denver, testified in support of the bill. He discussed low level offenses and homelessness. 

Mr. Richard Orona, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions about jail dockets.  Discussion followed about complications that arise from being held in jail awaiting a bond hearing, such as those related to housing and work. 

Further discussion ensued about FTA rates and municipal and county domestic violence cases. 

Catherine Mabrey, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Jefferey Riester, representing Department of Law, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the district attorney grant program as outlined in the bill. 

Mr Arnold Hanuman, representing Colorado District Attorneys’ Council, testified in support of the bill.  He discussed the district attorney grant program and administrative hurdles. 

Committee discussion followed about funding. 

Meghan MacKillop, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in a neutral position on the bill.  She discussed municipal court concerns and compromises with the bill. 

Rebecca Wallace, representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed statewide consistency and fairness.  She distributed a handout from the ACLU about a related bill from 2017 (Attachment D). 

Committee members asked questions about bond schedules, sentences, and municipal domestic violence offenses. 

Committee discussion ensued about due process.

Further discussion followed about the bill's application, funding, FTAs, and higher level offenses in municipal courts. 

Senator Gardner distributed and explained Amendment L. 010, which addresses Friday and weekend jail bookings (Attachment E). 

Senator Gardner distributed and explained Amendment L.011 that alters the time frame for the bond hearings (Attachment F). 

Committee members made additional closing remarks. 

Senator Lee redirected the bill to the Committee on Appropriations.