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e-Legislative Report: 5/13/13

May 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Michael Valdez, Director of Legislative Relations for the CBA, issued his final e-Legislative Report of the 2013 Legislative Session on Monday, May 13, 2013. In this issue, he discusses the end of the session at the Capitol and gives a quick glance ahead.

At the Capitol – End of Session

The Legislature has adjourned sine die for the First Regular Session of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly. The final gavels (House and Senate) came down on Wednesday, May 8 in the late afternoon. We will provide recaps of the session in upcoming issues of The Colorado Lawyer.

My thanks to all who subscribe to the eLegislative Report. We hope the updates were useful to you throughout the 2013 legislative session.

The CBA had a good year under the dome. Our sponsored legislation has been approved by the legislature and is either already signed by or on its way to Gov. John Hickenlooper. The CBA continues its reputation for bringing well thought-out legislation that seeks to improve the legal system—for our members as well as the public.

A big thank you goes out to all the sections for their work in reviewing, amending, fixing, analyzing, killing, and helping pass numerous bills from January through May.

The Legislative Policy Committee (LPC), and in particular Committee Chairman and CBA President Mark Fogg, are to be commended for their efforts throughout the session; they meet weekly when the legislature is in session to direct our efforts at the legislature. During the “off-session” the LPC meets to reflect on the past session and prepare for the session that is always around the corner.

Finally, our contract lobbyist, Amy Redfern and our lobbying firm of Aponté-Busam, do a phenomenal job of representing the CBA at the legislature. Amy’s intellect, experience, and professionalism are tremendous assets to our Association.

A very special note of thanks to my colleague Margaret Haywood, web communications specialist at the Colorado Bar Association, for her efforts to not only get the eLegislative newsletter published each week, but for her help in making the format attractive to readers.

Well done.

Upcoming

Look for the The Colorado Lawyer in July for a quick recap of the session and important legislation; the full Legislative Update will be published in the August issue.

One last item, if something big should arise over the summer I reserve the right to bring it to your attention through this newsletter.

Have a good summer!

Regards,

Michael

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e-Legislative Report, 5/6/13

May 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CBA Director of Legislative Relations Michael Valdez issued his weekly e-Legislative Report on May 6, 2013. In this edition, he gives a day-by-day report of what happened at the legislature during the week of April 29. He also summarizes a few more late bills of interest, and notes that the CBA Legislative Policy Committee did not meet on May 3.

At the Capitol

Boxscores

Monday, April 29

  • The House adopted the conference committee report for HB 13-1058. Concerning guidelines for the determination of spousal maintenance (advisory guideline formula to determine spousal maintenance). The adoption of the conference committee report signals the end of the legislative journey for the bill; the bill now heads to Gov. John Hickenlooper for action. The final Senate version of the bill is what the Governor will see when the bill gets to his desk.
  • The House adopted the conference committee report for HB 13-1204. Concerning the “Uniform Premarital and Marital Agreements Act.” The conference committee report made a conforming amendment to the act to address changes made in SB 13-11. Civil Unions.
  • The House adopted the conference committee report for HB 13-1200. Concerning the “Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act.” The conference committee report adopted several important amendments suggested by the Family Law Section.
  • The House adopted HB 13-1317. Concerning the recommendations made in the public process for the purpose of implementing retail marijuana legalized by section 16 of article XVIII of the Colorado constitution, and in connection therewith, making an appropriation on 3rd Reading by a vote of 35 yes, 29, no, and 1 excused.
  • The Senate approved 13-1246. Concerning modifications in connection with current property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations on 3rd and final reading by a vote of 35–0.
  • The Senate approved 13-255. Concerning child fatality review teams, and, in connection therewith, increasing the capacity and resources, clarifying the responsibilities and processes of state and local child fatality review teams in the departments of public health and environment and human services, and making an appropriation on a 22–13 vote.

Tuesday, April 30

  • The Senate adopted HB 1163. Concerning payment for medical costs associated with obtaining a medical forensic examination for victims of sexual offenses, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation on 3rd Reading on a 35–0 vote.
  • The Senate approved HB 12-1276. Concerning limitations on the actions a unit owners’ association under the “Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act” may take against a unit owner with respect to the collection of debt owed to the unit owners’ association by a 35–0 vote.
  • The Senate passed 13-1142. Concerning reforms to the “Urban and Rural Enterprise Zone Act,” and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation on a vote of 21–14.
  • The Senate adopted HB 13-1156. Concerning creation of an adult diversion program, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation on a 35–0 vote.
  • The Senate gave final approval to HB 13-1138. Concerning benefit corporations, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation on a party line vote 20–15. The bill was sent back to the House for consideration of the Senate amendments.
  • The Senate adopted HB 13-1134. Concerning unit owners’ associations under the “Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act” on a party line vote of 20–15.
  • The Senate unanimously approved SB 13-271. Concerning funding for the address confidentiality program on 3rd and final reading.
  • With a smidgen of bipartisan support, the Senate gave final approval of HB 13-1266. Concerning the alignment of state health insurance laws with the requirements of the federal “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” on a vote of 21–14.
  • The Senate adopted on 3rd and final Reading HB 13-1082. Concerning juvenile delinquency records on a 35–0 vote.
  • The House gave final approval of SB 13-252. Concerning measures to increase Colorado’s renewable energy standard so as to encourage the deployment of methane capture technologies on a vote of 37 yes, 27 no, and 1 excused.
  • The House adopted HB 13-1318. Concerning the recommendations made in the public process for the purpose of implementing certain state taxes on retail marijuana legalized by section 16 of article XVIII of the Colorado constitution, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation on a vote of 37 yes, 27 no, and 1 excused.
  • The House approved HB 13-1306. Concerning creating a task force to consider persons who pose a threat of harm to themselves or others on 3rd and final reading; the vote: 35 yes, 29 no, and 1 excused.

Wednesday, May 1

  • The House adopted—34 yes, 28 no, and one excused—HB 13-1316. Concerning the Colorado oil and gas conservation commission’s adoption of uniform statewide groundwater sampling rules, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
  • The House approved SB 13-47. Concerning protections for youth in foster care against identity theft, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation on a vote of 63 yes, 1 no, and one excused.
  • The House approved 13-246. Concerning creation of a task force to study discovery costs in criminal case by a vote of 64 yes, 1 no, and 1 excused.
  • The House adopted HB 13-111. Concerning abuse of at-risk adults, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation by a vote of 56 yes, 8 no, and 1 absent.
  • The House voted to concur with the amendments added by the Senate to HB 13-1138. Concerning benefit corporations, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The Senate amendments to the bill represent a significant compromise on the bill. The motion to concur with Senate amendments was passed on a vote of 37 yes, 27 no, and 1 excused.
  • The House voted to concur with the amendments added by the Senate to HB 13-1276. Concerning limitations on the actions a unit owners’ association under the “Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act” may take against a unit owner with respect to the collection of debt owed to the unit owners’ association; the vote: 47 yes, 17 no, and 1 excused.
  • The House voted to concur with the amendments added by the Senate to HB 13-1156. Concerning creation of an adult diversion program, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation on a vote of 61 yes, 3 no, and 1 excused.
  • The Senate gave its final approval to 13-250. Concerning changes to sentencing of persons convicted of drug crimes, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The final vote was 34–1.
  • The Senate gave final approval to SB 13-244. Concerning a task force to study substance abuse. The final vote was 34–1.

Thursday, May 2

  • The Senate adopted HB 13-1230. Concerning compensation for persons who are exonerated of their crimes after a period of incarceration, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation on a vote 32 yes, 0 no, and 3 excused.
  • The Senate gave final approval to HB 13-1240. Concerning penalties for persistent drunk drivers, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation on a vote 32 yes, 0 no, and 3 excused.
  • Adopted on a vote of 33 yes, 1, no, and 1 excused, the Senate gave final support for HB 13-1160. Concerning criminal theft, and, in connection therewith, reducing an appropriation.
  • The Senate gave final approval of SB 13-283. Concerning implementation of amendment 64, and, in connection therewith, making and reducing an appropriation. The vote was 32 yes, 2, no, and 1 excused.
  • The Senate voted to concur with the House amendments to SB 13-111. Concerning abuse of at-risk adults, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation (Mandatory reporting of elder abuse). The vote to concur was 24 yes, 10 no, and 1 excused.
  • The Senate voted to concur with the House amendments to SB 13-147. Concerning protections for youth in foster care against identity theft, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The vote to concur was 34 yes, 0 no, and 1 excused.

Friday, May 3

  • The House gave final approval to SB 13-262. Concerning the exemption of representative services of enrolled agents from the definition of debt management services. The vote was unanimous—65-0.
  • On 3rd and final reading, the House adopted HB 13-1323. Concerning requiring the department of corrections to obtain clarification if a court-issued mittimus omits instruction concerning whether a defendant’s sentences are to be served consecutively or concurrently on a vote of 65–0.
  • The Senate gave final approval to HB 13-1284, Concerning documents that can be filed regarding security interests under the “Uniform Commercial Code.”

The full e-Legislative Report, including summaries of late bills of interest, can be found here.

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e-Legislative Report, 4/8/13

April 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CBA Director of Legislative Relations Michael Valdez issued his weekly e-Legislative Report on April 8, 2013. In this issue, he discusses the actions of the CBA Legislative Policy Committee, some important bills at the Capitol, and 20 bills of interest (10 from each house).

CBA Legislative Policy Committee

For readers who are new to CBA legislative activity, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the CBA’s legislative policy-making arm during the legislative session. The LPC meets weekly during the legislative session to determine CBA positions on requests from the various sections and committees of the Bar Association.

The Legislative Policy Committee voted to support the Juvenile Law Section’s proposed amendments to SB 13-227. Concerning methods to protect the victim of a sexual assault in cases where a child was conceived as a result of the sexual assault.

The LPC also voted to support a House Joint Resolution, HJR 13-1019, concerning creation of an interim committee to study legal defense in juvenile justice proceedings, as recommended by the Juvenile Law Section.

At the Capitol

  • The Long Bill
  • The Long Bill continues its run as the biggest show in town. The House took its turn at amending and improving the bill last week. The Long bill a/k/a the Budget Bill, SB. 13-230 began the heavy part of its run in the House on Wednesday and finished up on Friday, April 5. At times, the floor debate became testy on 2nd and 3rd Reading in the House.
  • The budget fun should conclude by the end of the week; in the meantime we will get back to business as usual … bills, bills, bills.

For the complete e-Legislative Report, including the 20 bills of interest, click here.

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e-Legislative Report, 4/1/13

April 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CBA Director of Legislative Relations Michael Valdez prepared this week’s e-Legislative Report. He discusses the activities of the Legislative Policy Committee and important bills at the capitol, and provides summaries of 20 bills of interest (15 from the House and 5 from the Senate).

CBA Legislative Policy Committee

For readers who are new to CBA legislative activity, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the CBA’s legislative policy-making arm during the legislative session. The LPC meets weekly during the legislative session to determine CBA positions on requests from the various sections and committees of the Bar Association.

On Friday, March 29, the LPC voted to support the Family Law Section’s proposed amendments to HB 13-1259. Concerning civil actions, and, in connection therewith, procedures for allocating parental rights and responsibilities in the best interests of the child in cases involving child abuse and neglect and domestic violence; provisions relating to parenting time orders; provisions relating to parenting time evaluations and reports; and amending and relocating provisions relating to civil protection orders.

At the Capitol

  • The Long Bill—Center Stage or Center Ring?
  • Starting on Monday, March 25, the Senate tackled the Long Bill, a/k/a the Budget Bill, SB. 13-230. After a series of round robin presentations to committees of reference by the Joint Budget Committee, the Republicans and Democrats broke for caucus meetings to discuss and propose amendments to the long bill. On Wednesday, March 27, the Senate debated the budget bill on 2nd Reading. On Thursday, March 28, the Senate gave final approval on and passed the bill to the House.
  • Both chambers took the day off on Friday, March 29.
  • The Budget Bill will travel a similar route in the House when the legislature returns from the extended weekend.
  • Update: Death Penalty—Two Bills, Similar Fate
  • On Tuesday, March 26, the House Judiciary defeated the proposal to repeal the death penalty in Colorado. HB 13-1264. Repeal of the Death Penalty was failed on a vote of 4–6 with one excused.
  • On Wednesday, March 27, the Local Government Committee voted to postpone indefinitely the proposal to refer the state’s policy regarding the death penalty to the voters. The final vote, 13–0 to defeat the bill ends the journey for HB 1270. Refer Repeal Of Death Penalty To Citizen Vote.

For the complete e-Legislative Report, including summaries of 20 Bills of Interest, click here.

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e-Legislative Report: March 11, 2013

March 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Michael Valdez, the Director of Legislative Relations for the Colorado Bar Association, discusses notable bills at the Capitol in this week’s edition of the e-Legislative Report. The Legislative Policy Committee did not meet on March 8, so there is no update from LPC.

At the Capitol

  • HB 13-1138. Concerning Benefit Corporations. By Rep. Lee and Sen. Kefalas. On Friday, March 9, the House Appropriations moved the bill to the full House for consideration on 2nd Reading. The bill will be on the calendar for 2nd Reading sometime during the week of March 11.
  • On March 8, Governor Hickenlooper signed into law, HB 13-1035. Concerning an increase in the number of judges in certain judicial districts, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The bill creates two new district court judgeships; one each in the 5th and 9th Judicial Districts. Although the bill was signed on March 8, the act doesn’t take effect until July 1.
  • Almost 10 years in the making, SB 13-33. Concerning in-state classification at institutions of higher education for students who complete high school in Colorado was given final approval by the House of Representatives on Friday, March 8. The bill requires an institution of higher education in Colorado to classify a student as an in-state student for tuition purposes if the student: 1) attends a public or private high school in Colorado for least 3 years immediately preceding graduation or completion of a general equivalency diploma (GED) in Colorado; and 2) is admitted to a Colorado institution or attends an institution under a reciprocity agreement
  • Civil Unions watch: SB 13-11. Concerning authorization of civil unions, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. By Sen. Steadman and Rep. Ferrandino. On March 6, the Finance Committee approved the bill and referred it to the Appropriations Committee. On March 8, the Appropriations Committee adopted the bill and sent it to the full House for consideration on 2nd Reading. Why all the attention to SB 11? Once approved, the vast majority of the bill goes into effect on May 1. View the current bill version online.

Also available in the e-Legislative Report are summaries of 20 bills of interest — 10 from each house. Click here for the full list of bill summaries, or stay tuned to CBA-CLE Legal Connection.

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e-Legislative Report – March 4, 2013

March 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Michael Valdez, the CBA Director of Legislative Relations, issued his e-Legislative Report on March 4, 2013. In this issue, he discusses the activity of the CBA Legislative Policy Committee and notable bills at the capitol.

Legislative Policy Committee

For readers who are new to CBA legislative activity, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the CBA’s legislative policy-making arm during the legislative session. The LPC meets weekly during the legislative session to determine CBA positions on requests from the various sections and committees of the Bar Association.

At the meeting on Friday, March 1,the LPC voted to take action supporting the following bill:

  • HB 13–1135. Concerning the ability of a person to preregister to vote if the person has reached sixteen years of age but will not be eighteen years of age by the date of the next election. (See description below.)

At the Capitol

  • CBA Sponsored. SB 13-77. Concerning certain provisions of the Colorado Probate Code. By Sen. Roberts and Rep. Pabon. On Feb. 27, the Senate gave final approval to the Trusts and Estate Section’s Probate Code Omnibus bill. We added a handful of amendments to the introduced version of the bill.View the bill online.
  • HB 13-1213. Concerning the uniform asset-freezing orders act. By Rep. Levy. On Feb. 28, the House Judiciary Committee Postponed Indefinitely (killed) the bill at the request of the sponsor. Previously, the CBA LPC had voted to request that the bill be withdrawn to allow for further study and possible amendment. It looks like we have our first summer project from the 2013 legislative session!
  • SB 13-11. Concerning authorization of civil unions, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. By Sen. Steadman and Rep. Ferrandino. On Feb. 28, the House Judiciary Committee approved the bill and sent it to the Finance Committee. This bill makes headlines each time the legislature takes it up. View the bill online.

For summaries of 20 Bills of Interest, 10 from each house, click here or stay tuned to CBA-CLE Legal Connection.

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e-Legislative Report: February 25, 2013

February 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CBA Director of Legislative Relations Michael Valdez reports on the CBA Legislative Policy Committee in this week’s e-Legislative Report.

For readers who are new to CBA legislative activity, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the CBA’s legislative policy-making arm during the legislative session. The LPC meets weekly during the legislative session to determine CBA positions on requests from the various sections and committees of the Bar Association.

At the meeting on Friday, Feb. 22, the LPC voted to take action on several bills at its weekly meeting. Bills the CBA will support:

  • HB 13–1209. Concerning changes to child support provisions—with necessary amendments to be adopted.
  • HB 13–1204. Concerning the “Uniform premarital and marital agreements act”—with necessary amendments to be adopted.

Bills the CBA will oppose:

  • HB 13–1213. Concerning the “Uniform asset-freezing orders act.”
  • HB 13–1200. Concerning the “Uniform deployed parents custody and visitation act.”

Additionally, summaries of 20 bills of interest (10 from each house) were provided in the e-Legislative Report. Stay tuned to CBA-CLE Legal Connection for the summaries.

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e-Legislative Report: February 18, 2013

February 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Michael Valdez, Director of Legislative Relations for the CBA, prepared this week’s e-Legislative Report, highlighting the bills the CBA Legislative Policy Committee will support and oppose. Additionally, he summarized 20 bills of interest (10 from each house), and will continue to do so until the flood of legislation subsides.

For followers who are new to CBA legislative activity, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the CBA’s legislative policy making arm during the legislative session. The LPC meets weekly during the legislative session to determine CBA positions from requests from the various sections and committees of the Bar Association.

Friday, February 15

The CBA Legislative Policy Committee voted to take action on several bills at its weekly meeting:
Bills the CBA will support:

  • HB 13-1136. Concerning the creation of remedies in employment discrimination cases brought under state law.

Bills the CBA will oppose:

  • HB 13-1213. Concerning the uniform asset-freezing orders act.

Stay tuned for summaries of the 20 bills of interest.

Filed Under: Legislation Tagged With: , ,

e-Legislative Report: February 11, 2013

February 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CBA Director of Legislative Relations Michael Valdez reports on the activity of the CBA Legislative Policy Committee in this week’s e-Legislative Report.

For readers who are new to CBA legislative activity, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the CBA’s legislative policy-making arm during the legislative session. The LPC meets weekly during the legislative session to determine CBA positions on requests from the various sections and committees of the Bar Association.

The CBA Legislative Policy Committee voted to take action on several bills at its weekly meeting on Friday, Feb. 8. Bills the CBA will support:

  • HB 13–1035. Concerning an increase in the number of judges in certain judicial districts.
  • HB 13–1086. Concerning the preparation of the record in appeals from county court judgments.
  • Judicial Branch Budget Priorities
  • SB 13–111. Concerning abuse of at-risk adults. Conditional support amendments are needed.
  • SB 13–12. Concerning reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect by youth sports organizations.
  • HB 13–1038. Concerning the voting rights of individuals in the custody of the division of youth corrections within the department of human services.
  • HB 13–1016. Concerning the distribution to beneficiaries of amounts in pay-on-death (POD) financial institution accounts pursuant to written designation in the records of the financial institution. CBA will seek clarifying amendments.

Bills the CBA will oppose:

  • SB 13–117. Concerning increasing transparency in criminal actions.

Click here for the full e-Legislative Report.

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e-Legislative Report: January 28, 2013

January 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CBA Director of Legislative Relations Michael Valdez discusses Martin Luther King Jr. Day, honoring veterans, and the status of the civil unions bill in this week’s video legislative update.

Senate Judiciary Gives SB 11—Civil Unions Initial Okay

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, after several hours of testimony, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB 11 and moved the bill to the Appropriations Committee for consideration of the fiscal implications of the bill. The CBA went on record for the second year to support the legislation. Several substantive sections of the Bar Association have supported the passage of this legislation and are continually reviewing the bill for possible technical corrections amendments. Technical amendments were adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee to comply with the “Rule of 7” days statutory time calculations.

The House of Representatives Gave Final House Approval of Two Technical “Legal” Bills on Wednesday, Jan. 23:

  1. HB 13–1077. Concerning the enactment of Colorado Revised Statutes 2012 as the positive and statutory law of the state of Colorado was approved on a vote of 63 yes, 0 no and 2 excused; and
  2. HB 13–1029. Concerning the use of authority verbs in the Colorado Revised Statutes was approved on a vote of 63 yes, 0 no and 2 excused.

Friday, Jan. 25—Military Day at the Capitol

The House and Senate paid tribute to veterans during the annual Military Day series of Resolutions:

  • HJR13–1006. Concerning recognition of Military, Veterans, and MIA/POW Appreciation Day.
  • HJR13–1008. Concerning the U.S.S. Pueblo.
  • HJR13–1009. Concerning the designation of the Leopard Creek bridge in Placerville as the “Pfc. Paul L. Haining Memorial Bridge.”
  • HJR13–1012. Concerning the designation of National Guard and Reserve retirees as veterans.
  • HJR13–1010. Concerning recognizing the 60th anniversary of the armistice marking the end of the Korean War.
  • HJR13-1011.Concerning recognition of military personnel from Colorado who have served in Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom and in the Global War on Terrorism, and honoring those who have died while serving their country in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world.

CBA Legislative Policy Committee

For readers who are new to CBA legislative activity, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the CBA’s legislative policy-making arm during the legislative session. The LPC meets weekly during the legislative session to determine CBA positions on requests from the various sections and committees of the Bar Association.

At the meeting on Friday, Jan. 25, the LPC voted to take action on several bills at its weekly meeting:

  1. The Committee voted to support HB 13–1016. Concerning the distribution to beneficiaries of amounts in pay-on-death (POD) financial institution accounts pursuant to written designation in the records of the financial institution;
  2. The Committee voted to oppose HB 13–1032. Concerning offenses against an unborn child and HB 13–1033. Concerning a prohibition on abortion.

Stay tuned to CBA-CLE Legal Connection for summaries of ten bills of interest.

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e-Legislative Report: January 21, 2013 – Week 1

January 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Each week during the legislative session, CBA Director of Legislative Relations Michael Valdez issues an e-Legislative Report. This week, in the legislative video update, Michael discusses the “back to school” feel of the beginning of the new legislative session.

State of the Judiciary

On Friday, Jan. 11, Chief Justice Michael L. Bender delivered his traditional State of the Judiciary Address to a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives. This was Chief Justice Bender’s last State of the Judiciary address since—to use his term—he is being “sent out to pasture” (mandatory retirement at age 72.) Chief Justice Bender introduced his colleagues from the Supreme Court and State Court Administrator Judge Gerald Marroney. The Chief also acknowledged invited guests: Marty Katz, Dean of the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver; Marianne Wesson, University of Colorado Law School Professor; and Mark Fogg, President of the CBA. The Chief was joined by a large contingent of his family which included his wife Helen. Finally, Charlie Greer, a professor, poet, and close friend was in attendance.

Early in his speech, Chief Justice Bender emphasized three important themes:

  1. The importance of citizens’ trust in the rule of law in our democracy.
  2. The way in which the judicial branch in Colorado furthers the rule of law for our citizens.
  3. The importance for the courts and the legal community to understand the needs of the public they serve and to collaborate to create programs that address those needs.

The Chief highlighted several recent initiatives that the Branch has undertaken to improve the efficiency of the branch and the service to the state. Of special note, Chief Justice Bender talked about the Chief Justice Commission on the Legal Profession, which combined the three main pillars of the legal profession—judges, lawyers, and Colorado’s two law schools—to extend the mission of the judiciary to the legal profession as a whole; the Chief’s remarks included six projects that the Commission has accomplished or continues to advance.

In his closing, the Chief Justice looked forward to working with the both houses in the coming legislative session.

Click here for the full text of the Chief Justice’s speech.

From the Capitol

Without many bills to consider on 2nd and 3rd Readings, floor work was limited in both houses. Joint committees of reference (House and Senate) were occupied with the various departments of state government making presentations that comply with the SMART (State Measurements for Accountable, Responsive and Transparent) Government Act. The genesis, HB 10–1119, sets forth requirements for budgeting by state departments and implemented a new role for state department budgeting and created a new role for legislative committees of reference. Several SMART hearings will continue the week of January 21 with more and more bills being added to the calendar.

From the CBA Legislative Policy Committee

For readers who are new to CBA legislative activity, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is the CBA’s legislative policy-making arm during the legislative session. The LPC meets weekly during the legislative session to determine CBA positions on requests from the various sections and committees of the Bar Association.

At its Jan. 18 meeting the LPC voted to reaffirm CBA support for Civil Unions. The Committee voted to support SB 13–11 in the 2013 session. The bill is scheduled for its first committee review on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Stay tuned for summaries of selected House and Senate bills, which were summarized in the e-Legislative Report and will appear in Legal Connection feeds.

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e-Legislative Report: Week Twelve, April 2, 2012

April 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

In this week’s Legislative Video Update, Michael explains the LPC docket was light due to the calm before the budget bill storm; hear about the single docket item and the budget bill process. And is it just us, or does this year’s legislative session seem lighter than last year?

From the CBA Legislative Policy Committee

The Legislative Policy Committee met on Friday, March 30 to take up one bill:

The LPC voted to support the recommendation of the Civil Rights Committee and Oppose HB 12-1130 – Concerning Offenses Against an Unborn Child. The basis for the opposition stemmed from a strong concern that the bill as drafted violates due process. The Civil Rights Committee asserted that the language of the bill does not pass the vagueness doctrine – the Civil Rights Committee cited several cases to support their position.

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