S_SA_2018A 04/18/2018 01:32:37 PM Committee Summary

Aubrey Elenis, Director of the Colorado Civil Rights Division, introduced Charles Garcia, appointed to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Committee members received Mr. Garcia's appointment letter [Attachment A].

Mr. Garcia introduced himself to the committee.

Senator Tate, sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1181 to the committee. The bill expands the definition of eligible elector and allows a special district to permit individuals who do not reside in Colorado to vote in the special district's election if they own property within the district. Committee members received three letters in support of the bill [Attachments B-D].

Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Tate.

David Warner, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Ken Marchetti, representing Marchetti & Weaver, testified in support of the bill.

Jim Berg, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Cooke, sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1152.  The bill makes the Judicial Department subject to the Colorado Open Records Act's (CORA's) provisions concerning sexual harassment records through May 1, 2021.



Senator Cooke discussed amendment L.006 [Attachment F].

Terry Scanlon, representing the Colorado Judicial Department, testified on the bill from a neutral position. He expressed concern with amendment L.006.

Andy Rottman, representing the Colorado Judicial Department, testified against amendment L.006.

Peg Perl, representing the Women's Lobby of Colorado, testified in support of the bill but noted that her organization was not taking a position on amendment L.006.

Suzanne Staiert, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Cooke wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee reconvened.

Senator Kagan, sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1261 to the committee. The bill establishes ethical standards for arbitrators and creates procedures for disclosures and disqualifications from arbitrations related to potential conflicts of interest.

Julian Ellis, representing the Colorado Civil Justice League, testified against the bill.

Jeff Ruebel, representing the Colorado Civil Justice League and business interests, testified against the bill.

Marianne Lizza-Irwin, representing the Colorado Bar Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Ellis, Ms. Lizza-Irwin, and Senator Kagan responded to committee member questions.

Scott Wilkinson, representing the Colorado Association of Home Builders and the Colorado Association of Realtors, testified against the bill.

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

Rich Jones, representing the Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Seligman responded to committee member questions.

Bernard Humbells, representing the AFL-CIO Veterans Council, testified in support of the bill.

Anne Meier, Colorado State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, testified in support of the bill.

Alison Burchell, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Burchell responded to committee member questions.

Valerie Schlecht, representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Ed Shackelford, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Kagan wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Senator Kagan, sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1262 to the committee. The bill requires distribution of arbitration case history information from arbitration services providers.

Scott Wilkinson, representing the Colorado Association of Homebuilders, testified against the bill.

Jeff Ruebel, representing the Colorado Civil Justice League, testified against the bill.

Liz Peetz, representing the Colorado Association of Realtors, testified against the bill.

Senator Kagan responded to witness testimony.

Julian Ellis, representing the Colorado Civil Justice League, testified against the bill.

Marshall Snider, representing himself, testified on the bill from a neutral position. He provided a handout to committee members [Attachment G].

Marianne Lizza-Irwin, representing the Colorado Bar Association, testified against the bill.

Alma Jones, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sean Dormer, representing the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, testified in support of the bill.

Peg Perl, representing the Women's Lobby of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dennis Valentine, representing AARP, testified in support of the bill.

Michelle Webster, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill.

Danny Katz, representing the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG), testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Webster and Mr. Katz responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Valentine also responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Webster and Mr. Katz continued to respond to questions from the committee.

Senator Court presented House Bill 18-1304 to the committee.  The bill codifies current practice regarding the enforcement of tax liabilities and clarifies that a certificate of sale issued by a government agency or court order serves the same purpose as a certificate of title for the purposing of transferring ownership of a motor vehicle. 

Brendon Reese, representing the Department of Revenue, testified in support of the bill.  Committee members received a fact sheet from the department [Attachment H].

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Senator Court made coments on the bill.

Senator Marble presented Senate Bill 18-242, concerning the swearing of a public official oath of office. The bill requires a person swearing an oath of office for a public office or position to do so by swearing by the "everliving God" and to do so with an uplifted hand. The bill only takes effect if House Bill 18-1138 becomes law, as it is a revision of that bill.

Senator Marble responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.