H_JUD_2019A 04/18/2019 01:31:36 PM Committee Summary

Representatives Bird and McKean, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-187, concerning commissions on judicial performance. Representative Bird explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need.  Discussion ensued regarding appointments for judicial vacancies. The following person testified regarding the bill:

Mr. Kent Wagner, representing the Judicial Branch, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Wagner addressed earlier questions.

No amendments were offered to SB 19-187.

Representative Herod, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-143, concerning changes related to parole release to alleviate prison population issues.  Representative Herod explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. The following persons testified regarding SB 19-143:

Ms. Christie Donner, representing the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Aaron Greco, representing the Department of Corrections, testified in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the prison vacancy rate contained in the bill.

Representative Herod explained the effect of amendment L.014 (Attachment A).

Representative Herod provided closing remarks in support of SB 19-143.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. Representatives Buckner and Buenello, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-135, concerning methods to determine whether disparities involving certain historically underutilized businesses exist within the state procurement process, and, in connection therewith, commissioning a study to make such determination, and requiring the Department of Personnel to track contracts awarded to historically underutilized businesses. Representative Buckner explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Buentello provided additional remarks in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the tracking of demographic information associated with certain types of public contracts, and disparity studies.

The following persons testified regarding SB 19-135:

Dr. Sameer Bawa, representing BBC Research, testified in support of the bill. He discussed disparity studies conducted by his firm, and the merits of the bill.

Mr. Michael Gifford, representing Associated General Contractors and the Colorado Contractors Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Gifford addressed earlier testimony.

Mr. Phil Hayes, representing the IBEW, NECA, and UA, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Ariel Hammerquist, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions regarding the fiscal impact of the bill, and the analysis undertaken to assess the fiscal analysis.  Mr. Bill Zepernick, Legislative Council Staff, provided input on the fiscal note. Discussion ensued regarding the cost of the bill. Dr. Bawa discussed the cost of a typical disparity study. Discussion followed regarding certain jurisprudence impacting public contracting. Discussion returned to disparity studies. Dr. Bawa responded to questions regarding a 2011 Denver disparity study.

Ms. Zoey DeWolf, representing the Colorado Bankers Association, testified in support of SB 19-135.

No amendments were offered to SB 19-135. Representative Buentello provided closing remarks in support of the bill. The committee discussed the merits of the legislation.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. Representative Singer, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-172, concerning crimes related to an at-risk person, and, in connection therewith, creating the crimes of unlawful abandonment and unlawful confinement. Representative Singer explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. The following persons testified regarding the bill:

Ms. Laurie Rose Kepros, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and the Office of the State Public Defender, testified in opposition to the bill. She identified three issues of concern.

Ms. Arlene Berringer, representing the Colorado Bar Association, testified on the bill. She expressed some concerns with the bill. Discussion ensued regarding certain terms in the bill, and the concerns expressed by the witnesses. Discussion followed regarding potential amendments to the bill.

Ms. Abigail Negley, representing the Arc of Colorado, testified in support of SB 19-172. She discussed the population that would be protected by the bill.

Dr. Skotti Church, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Church discussed cases of elder abuse.

Mr. Umar Shabazz, representing the Denver Police Department, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Shabazz discussed a case of elder abuse.

Ms. Christina Johnson, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of SB 19-172. She discussed an instance of abuse of an at-risk person.

Ms. Jane Walsh, representing the Second Judicial District, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Walsh discussed some cases of elder and at-risk person abandonment.

Ms. Deborah Hogfeldt, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed a case of abusive confinement of an at-risk person. Ms. Walsh responded to questions regarding the need for the legislation, and potential amendments.

Chairman Weissman laid over SB 19-172.

Representative Galindo, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-163, concerning the continuation of the Cold Case Task Force. Representative Galindo explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. The following persons testified regarding the bill:

Mr. Chris Schaefer, representing the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Schaefer suggested a change in name to the Colorado Cold Case Task Force. He responded to questions regarding the duties of the task force.

Mr. Saul Larsen, Department of Regulatory Agencies, made himself available to respond to questions. Mr. Larsen responded to questions regarding the composition of the Cold Case Task Force.

Mr. Stan Hilkey, representing the Department of Public Safety, testified regarding the bill. He addressed questions raised during earlier testimony.

No amendments were offered to SB 19-163. Representative Galindo provided closing remarks in support of the bill.