h_sa_2016a_2016-03-16t11:48:58z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/16/2016

11:49 AM -- HB16-1180



Representative Humphrey, sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1180 to the committee. The bill prohibits any state action from directly or indirectly constraining the exercise of religion, except in cases involving a compelling government interest. State action includes state and local laws, ordinances, policies, rules, regulations, or other actions by a state or local government, political subdivision, or public official. State and local governments must use the least restrictive means of furthering a government interest. Persons whose exercise of religion is burdened, or likely to be burdened, may assert this violation as a claim or defense in court. The bill authorizes various remedies, including damages, injunctions, costs, and attorney fees.



11:52 AM -- Jacki Cooper Melmed, Chief Legal Counsel for Governor Hickenlooper, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.



12:05 PM -- Natalie Decker, representing the Colorado Freedom Institute and Colorado Family Action, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee member questions.



12:22 PM -- Mizraim Cordero, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.



12:30 PM -- Bryan Neihart, representing the Colorado Community for the Protection of Constitutional Rights, testified in support of the bill and responded to committee member questions.



12:36 PM -- Kenneth Boyd, representing himself, testified against the bill and responded to committee member questions.



12:47 PM -- David Armstrong, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



12:52 PM -- Rabbi Stephen Booth Nadev, representing the Rocky Mountain Rabbinical Council, testified against the bill.



12:57 PM -- Rev. Jasper Peters, a pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church, testified against the bill.



12:59 PM -- Dilpreet Jammu, representing Colorado Sikhs, testified against the bill.



01:04 PM -- Morgan Cullen, representing the Aurora Economic Development Council, testified against the bill.



01:07 PM -- John Brackney, representing himself, testified against the bill.





01:11 PM



Mr. Cullen and Mr. Brackney responded to committee member questions.



01:16 PM -- Peg Perl, representing the Women's Lobby of Colorado, testified against the bill.



01:20 PM -- Barry Roseman, representing the Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers' Association, testified against the bill.



01:22 PM -- Stephen Mesward, representing himself, provided a letter from five district attorneys from around the state opposed to the bill (Attachment A). He also noted that ACLU of Colorado opposes the bill.



16HouseState0316AttachA.pdf



01:23 PM -- Mark Lewis, representing himself, testified against the bill.





01:25 PM



Representative Humphrey wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

01:29 PM



House Bill 16-1208 was laid over to a later date.





01:29 PM



The committee adjourned.