H_SA_2018A 04/26/2018 12:00:26 PM Committee Summary

Representative Lee, co-prime bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-150. The bill allows a person on parole to preregister to vote. A person preregistered to vote is automatically registered when the Department of State (DOS) receives notice from the Department of Corrections (DOC) that the preregistered person has been released from parole. Parole officers are required to provide parolees with information for how they can preregister to vote at their initial meeting. At the last meeting prior to his or her release from parole, the parole officer must provide the parolee with information on how to register, confirm, or update voter registration, how to obtain and cast a ballot, and how to obtain voter informational materials. The DOC must provide a report on all individuals released from parole to the DOS on a regular basis. This bill also expands the duties of a probation officer to provide voter information to persons on probation.

Representative Lee answered questions from the committee.

Representative McKean, co-prime bill sponsor, answered questions from the committee. Representative Lee responded to questions from the committee.

Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified in support of the bill. She answered questions from the committee.

Andrea Wilkins, League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Martha Tierney, America Votes, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Steele, Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill. She answered questions from the committee.

Representative McKean made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

Representative Lee made concluding remarks about the bill.

Representative Melton, co-prime bill sponsor, presented House Concurrent Resolution 18-1002.  Under current law, slavery or involuntary servitude is prohibited except as punishment for a crime in which the offender has been convicted.  The concurrent resolution refers a question to the voters that would, if approved, amend the Colorado Constitution by repealing this exception and prohibiting slavery or involuntary servitude in all circumstances. 

Representative Melton explained amendment L.001 [Attachment A]. Representative Salazar, co-prime bill sponsor, made comments regarding the resolution. Representative Melton and Representative Salazar answered questions from the committee.

Lee McNeil, Together Colorado, testified in support of the resolution.

Caitlin Trussell, Together Colorado, testified in support of the resolution.

Representative Salazar and Representative Melton made concluding remarks about the resolution.

Representative Neville, co-prime bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-233. The bill makes modifications to the Uniform Election Code of 1992. Representative Neville answered questions from the committee.

Representative Neville explained amendment L.006 [Attachment B].

Tim Griesmer, Department of State, testified in support of the bill.

Matt Crane, Colorado County Clerks Association, testified in support of the bill.

Martha Tierney, America Votes and Colorado Democratic Party, testified in support of the bill.

Secretary Wayne Williams, Department of State, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Steele, Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Neville made concluding remarks about the bill.