h_lg_2016a_2016-02-17t13:29:13z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/17/2016

02:37 PM -- HB16-1150



Representative Conti presented and summarized House Bill 16-1150 concerning counties and nicotine use. The bill allows counties to enact an ordinance or resolution prohibiting people under the age of 18 from possessing cigarettes or tobacco products, as is currently allowed for municipalities. Counties are also allowed to restrict possession of nicotine products by minors.



Representative Conti answered questions from the committee regarding ordinances used by local governments regarding nicotine use.



02:54 PM -- Denise Maes, American Civil Liberties Union Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill. She shared her concerns with the bill and discussed current state law applicable at the county level.



Ms. Maes answered questions regarding current laws and punishments for minors in possession of tobacco products.



03:02 PM -- R.J. Ours, representing the American Cancer Society, spoke in opposition to the bill. He shared his concerns and discussed the provisions of the bill. Mr. Ours discussed the current use of tobacco products by minors.



Mr. Ours answered questions from the committee regarding e-cigarette use by minors.





03:11 PM



Mr. Ours continued to answer questions regarding public health awareness programs. He also said that he represented the following organization who were opposed to the bill: American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and the Colorado Group to Alleviate Smoking Pollution.



03:15 PM -- Chris Pratt, representing Douglas County, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed the issues in Douglas County schools regarding the use of tobacco use by minors.



Mr. Pratt answered questions from the committee regarding current state law.



03:21 PM -- Jennifer Berman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, was called to the table to provide clarification regarding current state law on tobacco use and possession by minors.



Mr. Pratt provided clarification regarding the current laws and penalties for tobacco use by minors.





03:31 PM



The committee members continued to discuss the provisions of the bill.



03:38 PM -- Eric Bergman, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., spoke in favor of the bill. He distributed a handout to the committee members (Attachment B).



16HouseLocal0217AttachB.pdf



Mr. Bergman answered questions from the committee regarding the use of fines to deter tobacco use.



Representative Conti answered questions from the committee regarding education programs.



03:49 PM -- Gabriel Kaplan, representing the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, was neutral on the bill. He provided information on the use of tobacco products by minors and the local government authority for regulation.



Mr. Kaplan answered questions from the committee regarding assistance to local governments. He provided recommendations on prevention for tobacco use by minors.



04:00 PM -- Pat Ratliff, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., spoke in favor of the bill.



04:01 PM -- Sophia San Miguel, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill.



Representative Klingenschmitt distributed and discussed amendment L.002 (Attachment C) and amendment L.001 (Attachment D).



16HouseLocal0217AttachC.pdf 16HouseLocal0217AttachD.pdf

The committee members provided comments on the bill.



Representative Conti provided closing comments on the bill.