H_JUD_2024A 04/10/2024 02:28:13 PM Committee Summary

Representative Clifford, co-prime sponsor, presented House Bill 24-1432, concerning eliminating the requirement for a defendant to pay the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for costs related to sealing criminal justice records in the bureau's custody. Representative Clifford explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need.  Public comment on the bill may be found at Attachment A.

Ms. Teresa Mucha, representing Colorado Bureau of Investigation, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Ross Sibley, representing Colorado Bureau of Investigation, testified in support of the bill.

Natalie Perez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Christina Walker, representing Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

No amendments were offered to HB 24-1432. Representatives Soper and Clifford provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Representative Bacon weighed in on the bill.

Representatives Duran and Froelich, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-003, concerning the authority of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to investigate illegal activity involving firearms. Representative Duran explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Froelich provided additional input on the bill. Representative Froelich responded to questions regarding the position of certain stakeholders on the bill, and the potential for the bill to help reduce gun violence.  Public comment on SB 24-003 may be found at Attachment B.

Mr. Chris Schaefer, representing Colorado Bureau of Investigation , testified in support of the bill.

Jaime FitzSimons, representing County Sheriff's, testified in support of the bill.

Tyler Brown, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Nephi Cole, representing National Shooting Sports Foundation, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding how the Colorado Bureau of Investigation will administer the bill's provisions, and jurisdiction for conducting investigations under the bill. Discussion followed regarding the scope of the bill, and the amount of work created by the bill for the bureau. Discussion turned to the ability of SB 24-003 to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals. Discussion returned to jurisdictional issues, and what constitutes an investigation under the bill. Mr. Schaefer and Mr. Cole responded to questions regarding illegal acquisition of firearms.

Ms. Eileen McCarron, representing Colorado Ceasefire, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Michael Allen, representing District Attorney, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Ian Escalante, representing Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, testified in opposition to the bill.

Huey Laugesen, representing Colorado State Shooting Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Ronald Dietz, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Alexis King, representing District Attorney for the 1st Judicial District, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Brett Kahn, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding prosecution of individuals for firearms-related offenses, and how such arrests are conducted. Discussion followed regarding concerns surrounding transparency, and the fiscal impact of the bill. Mr. Escalante responded to questions regarding better ways to prevent violent crime than SB 24-003, and potential conflicts with other legislation.

TOM MAUSER, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Kathryn Ruud, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Pat Rottschaefer, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Christie Burton, representing Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence, testified in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the potential for SB 24-003 to increase the number of people arrested on felony charges.

Mr. Andrew Lucas, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Travis Sides, representing District Attorney, 13th Judicial District, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Tyler Peters, representing Patriot Rebellion, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Alicia Garcia, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Scott Shamblin, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Garcia responded to questions regarding the effect of the bill on those who are legally eligible to acquire firearms.

Joel Malecka, representing the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and Dan Volz, representing the Department of Public Safety, made themselves available to answer questions. Mr. Volz responded to questions regarding backlogs for certain background checks conducted by the bureau, and the qualifications of those who will be hired under the bill. He answered further questions regarding the investigations to be conducted under the bill. Mr. Volz responded to questions about the bill's appropriation and fiscal note. Mr. Malecka provided input on these issues.

Representative Duran L.011 (Attachment C). Representative Soper introduced amendment  L.012 (Attachment D) as a substitute amendment to L.011.  Representative Bacon discussed amendment L.013 (Attachment E).

Representatives Froelich and Duran provided closing remarks in support of SB 24-003. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.

Representative Clifford, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 24-1433, concerning removing the governor's approval requirement in early parole decisions for participants in a specialized program for offenders who committed an offense when under 21 years of age. Representative Clifford explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Clifford responded to questions regarding parole processes in other states.

Ms. Adrienne Sanchez, representing Colorado Department of Corrections, testified in support of the bill.

Michael Tessean, representing Colorado State Board of Parole, was available to answer committee questions.

Ms. Maureen Cain, representing Ospd, was available to answer committee questions.

Discussion ensued regarding the nature of opposition to the bill, and the time frame associated with parole under the bill.

Tom Raynes, representing Colorado District Attorneys Council, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Travis Sides, representing District Attorney, 13th Judicial District, testified in opposition to the bill.

Tim Lopez, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Raynes responded to questions.

No amendments were offered to HB 24-1433. Representative Clifford provided closing remarks in support of the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. Representative Mabrey, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 24-1380, concerning measures to increase consumer protections in transactions with debt-related services. Representative Mabrey explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Mabrey responded to questions regarding the impact of the bill on court action, and the potential impact of the bill on lenders and the overall economy. Representative Mabrey responded to further questions regarding potential amendments to the bill. Discussion ensued regarding bundling.  Public comment on HB 24-1380 may be found at Attachment F.

Mr. Scott Allely, representing Associated Collection Agencies, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Blake Boettcher, representing The Associated Collection Agencies of CO, WY, NM, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Nicholas Prola, representing Associated, testified in opposition to the bill. Alan Greenberg, representing Greenberg Sada & Moody PC, testified to amend the bill. Discussion ensued regarding legislation passed in 2023 pertaining to debt collection. Mr. Greenberg responded to questions.

Mr. KIRK WELSCH, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Alisha Bond, representing Credit Service Company, testified in opposition to the bill. Jake Argon, representing American Association for Debt Resolution, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Ben Vinci, representing himself, testified to amend the bill.

Mr. James Wolf, representing Colorado Creditor Bar Association (CCBA), testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Yosy Janson, representing Colorado Creditors Bar Association, testified to amend the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding the issuance of bench warrants in debt collection cases.

Mr. Brian Wood, representing UChealth Workers United, testified in support of the bill.

Austin Clancy, representing Colorado Financial Services Association (CFSA), testified in support of the bill.

Martha Fulford, representing Department of Law, testified in support of the bill.

jeff riester, representing Department of Law, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Fulford responded to questions regarding certain language in HB 24-1380. Mr. Riester provided input on this issue.

Carly Weisenberg, representing herself, testified in support of HB 24-1380.

David Seligman, representing Towards Justice, testified in support of the bill.

Dana Kennedy, representing Center for Health Progress, testified in support of the bill.

Nicole Gordon, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kennedy responded to questions regarding her position on lawsuits to collect medical debt. Mr. Seligman elaborated on his testimony. Ms. Kennedy responded to questions regarding medical debt and credit scores.

Representative Mabrey explained the effect of amendment L.003 (Attachment G).

Representative Mabrey provided closing remarks in support of HB 24-1380. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.