h_sa_2017a_2017-05-03t13:47:38z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 05/03/2017

Location: RM 271

01:48 PM -- SB17-281



Representative Williams and Representative Covarrubias, co-prime bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 17-281. The reengrossed bill prohibits sanctuary jurisdiction policies, defined as any policy that restricts public officials or employees from sending to or receiving from federal immigration authorities information regarding an individual's immigration status. It also prohibits jurisdictions from restricting the maintenance or exchange of such information and from encouraging the physical harboring of an alien in violation of federal law. The governing body of all jurisdictions within the state must provide written notice to each elected official, employee, and law enforcement officer of his or her duty to comply with federal immigration law.



On or before July 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, all jurisdictions must submit a written report affirming their compliance with federal immigration law to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). DPS must indicate to the state controller any jurisdictions that fail to provide timely reports. On or before September 1, 2018, and each year thereafter, DPS must compile the compliance reports and submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the state controller, who must withhold state funds from any jurisdiction not in compliance beginning in FY 2018-19. DPS must publish on its website Colorado-specific information provided by the federal government about jurisdictions that release aliens from their custody. The bill removes immunity from civil liability for public entities if an illegal alien who established residency in what is determined to be a sanctuary jurisdiction is convicted of a crime that caused a plaintiff injury.



Representative Williams and Representative Covarrubias answered questions from the committee.





02:20 PM



The committee members continued to dialogue with the bill sponsors.





02:50 PM



The committee dialogue with the bill sponsors ensued.



03:17 PM -- Rupesh Baral, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Baral answered questions from the committee.



03:26 PM -- Christopher Lasch, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A). Mr. Lasch answered questions from the committee.



17HouseState0503AttachA.pdf



03:46 PM -- Cesar Garcia Hernandez, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Hernandez answered questions from the committee.



03:51 PM -- Joan Poston, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:55 PM -- Sheriff Bruce Hartman, County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment B).



17HouseState0503AttachB.pdf



03:58 PM -- Allison Dailey, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in opposition to the bill.





04:00 PM



Sheriff Hartman and Ms. Dailey answered questions from the committee.



04:12 PM -- Anahid Katchian, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Katchian answered questions from the committee.



04:18 PM -- Laura Richards, Indivisible Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:22 PM -- Eleanor Cabell, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:25 PM -- Nancy Nixon, American Civil Liberties Union, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Nixon answered questions from the committee.





04:32 PM



Representative Williams explained amendment L.008 (Attachment C) to the committee. The committee discussed amendment L.008.



17HouseState0503AttachC.pdf

04:37 PM



Representative Covarrubias and Representative Williams made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

05:12 PM



The committee took a brief recess.