S_SA_2021A 02/23/2021 02:01:15 PM Committee Summary

Kevin Klein, representing himself, testified regarding the sunset hearing and expressed support for the draft bill.

Senators Sonnenberg and Gonzales requested to cosponsor the introduced bill. Ms. Ross was given permission to make technical changes to the introduced bill.

Senator Lundeen, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 21-007 to the committee. Beginning with the 2022 general election, the bill requires that all voting for general elections be conducted in-person, unless a voter requests a mail ballot following procedures developed by county clerks. It allows each county clerk to determine the number and locations of polling places within each county. Under the bill, all ballots must be received by the close of polls on Election Day and be counted by the end of Election Day.

Submitted written testimony on the bill may be found in Attachment C.

Michael Neil, representing Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Neil responded to committee questions.

Amanda Gonzalez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in opposition to the bill.

Morgan Royal, representing New Era Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Martha Tierney, representing America Votes, Colorado Democratic Party, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Tierney responded to committee questions.

Salvador Hernandez, representing Mi Familia Vota, testified in opposition to the bill.

Sara Gagliardi, representing Alliance for Retired Americans, testified in opposition to the bill.

Kara Rowland, representing Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder, testified in opposition to the bill.

Matt Crane, representing Colorado County Clerk's Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Crane responded to committee questions.

Hilary Rudy, representing Colorado Secretary of State, responded to committee questions. Senator Lundeen commented.

Karen McClelland, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Lundeen gave concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

Senator Cooke and President Garcia, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 21-015. The bill requires that the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) pay a stipend up to $75 dollars to a local veterans service organization for each time the organization provides an honor guard detail at the funeral of an honorably discharged veteran.

Ralph McClure, representing self, testified in support of the bill. Mike Lebrun, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

The bill sponsors gave closing remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.

Senator Jaquez Lewis, bill sponsor, and Senator Rankin presented Senate Bill 21-024. The bill establishes March 30th as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day", and allows for appropriate observance by the public and in all public schools as tribute to the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans.

Greg Dorman, representing Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, testified in support of the bill.

Michael McHale, representing TRU Community Care and Hospice Care, testified in support of the bill.

Eric Ackerman, representing self, testified in support of the bill. Ginger Cooley, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Trystan Garcia, representing Home Care and Hospice Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The bill sponsors gave closing remarks on the bill.

Senator Scott, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 21-040. The bill limits the amount of time that regulatory authorities can use a driver’s history to make certain licensing, permitting, certification or registration decisions.

Submitted written testimony on the bill may be found in Attachment D.

The committee discussed the bill. The chair laid over the bill.