S_SA_2023A 02/16/2023 01:31:57 PM Committee Summary

Senators Rich and Zenzinger, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1053. The bill adjusts the authority of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Department of Public Safety to receive and spend gifts, grants, and donations. The committee asked questions to the sponsors.

A panel of witnesses testified on the bill. Parker White, representing Department of Military and Veterans Affairs/Air National Guard, testified in support of the bill. Controller Tanya Olsen, representing Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified in support of the bill.

The bill sponsors gave final remarks

Senator Hinrichsen, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1045. The bill clarifies that members of the Colorado National Guard and United States reserve forces are entitled to the equivalent of three weeks of leave from their employers when called to service or for training.

Senator Gonzales presented amendment L.001 (Attachment A) and amendment L.002 (Attachment B).

The committee gave final remarks.

The bill sponsor gave final remarks.

Senator Kirkmeyer, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-101. The bill repeals the ability of major and minor political party candidates to qualify for the primary ballot via the assembly process and modifies requirements for candidates to qualify for the primary ballot by petition.

The committee asked questions to the sponsors.

Kent Theory, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. The committee asked questions to the witness.

Commissioner Stan VanderWerf, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

A panel of witnesses testified on the bill. Wayne Harlos, representing Libertarian Party of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Kirsten Steinke, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Caryn Ann Harlos, representing National Libertarian Party, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Desmond Wallington, representing Green Party of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

A panel of witnesses testified on the bill. Jessica Fenske, representing Colorado Libertarian Party, testified in opposition to the bill. Gary Swing, representing Unity Party of Colorado and Best Democracy, testified in opposition to the bill. Frank Atwood, representing The Approval Voting Party, testified in opposition to the bill. Linda Halvorson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

A panel of witnesses testified on the bill. Eric Bodenstab, representing Unity Party, testified in opposition to the bill. Jesse Kumin, representing Best Democracy, testified in opposition to the bill. Eliseo Gonzalez, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Celeste Landry, representing League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. The committee asked questions to the panel.

A panel of witnesses testified on the bill. Denise Kmilek, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Martha Tierney, representing America Votes and the Colorado Democratic Party, testified in opposition to the bill. John Lembke, representing Forward Party of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Linda Templin, representing Ranked Choice Voting for Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

The bill sponsor and committee gave final remarks.

Senator Will, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1028. The bill allows a former member of the General Assembly to obtain a name badge indicating that the individual is a former representative or senator.