March 16, 2026 · 14,638 words · 16 speakers · 299 segments
Amen. Amen. God bless you. Thank you.
The House will come to order. Today, the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Representative Slaw. Assistant Minority, oh, there he is. Representative Slaw.
Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation on the ground, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Mr. Schiebel, please call the roll.
Representatives Bacon. Amel Bacon. Excuse. Barone. Basinecker Speaker pro tem Basinecker Bottoms Bradfield Bradley Representative Bradley Brooks Brown Caldwell Camacho Carter Representative Carter Clifford DeGraff Duran English Espinoza Representative Espinoza is excuse. Foray. Flannell. Froelich. Garcia. Garcia Sander. Gilchrist. Goldstein. Representative Goldstein. Excuse. Gonzalez. Hamrick, Hartsook, Jackson, Johnson, Joseph, Kelty, Leader, Lindsay, Representative Lindsay. Luck Lukens Mabry Marshall Martinez Morrow McCormick Representative McCormick Excuse Wynn Pascal Representative Paschal Phillips Richardson Ricks Representative Ricks Rutanel Rydin Sirota Representative Sirota Slaw Smith Soper Representative Soper Stuart K Stuart R Story. Sukla. Taggart is excused. Titone. She's here. Valdez A. Velasco. Weinberg. Wilford. Winter. Woodrow, Woog, Zokai, and Madam Speaker. Here.
With 58 present and 7 excused, we do have a quorum. Representative Slaw.
Madam Speaker, I move the journal of Friday, March 13, 2026, be approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk.
Members, you have heard the motion that the journal be approved as corrected by the Chief Clerk. All those in favor say aye.
Aye.
All those opposed, no.
No.
The ayes have it. The motion is adopted. Members, we are moving into announcements and introductions. Thank you for signing up. Reminder, we are collecting for those who still owe to the fine jar. Madam Majority Leader.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members, contractors with Colorado State Patrol will be testing the glass break sensors and duress alarms in your offices on Thursday and Friday this week. Contractors have been background checked and will have IDs and keys to your office.
Members, can I have your attention, please? This announcement is important. Please proceed, Madam Majority Leader.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I will start over. Members, contractors with Colorado State Patrol will be testing the glass break sensors and duress alarms in your offices on Thursday and Friday this week. Contractors have been background checked and will have IDs and keys to your offices. Please come talk to Chief Clerk if you have any questions. Thank you.
And a slight clarification, Madam Majority Leader. I hear from the Chief Clerk it will be all week long, not just Thursday and Friday. Madam Majority Leader.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I don't know what that was. Thank you, Madam Speaker. Yes, correct. It will be all week long. Thank you.
Thank you. Representative Woodrow.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Colleagues, just a reminder that Finance Committee will be meeting today at 1.30 to hear two bills, 1240 and 1188 in room 112. See you then.
Thank you Rep Woodrow Rep Clifford Thank you Madam Speaker Tomorrow is Red Cross Day at the Capitol We will also be having a blood drive again in the SSB cafeteria so please bring your blood Thank you. Rep. McCormick.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. House Agriculture, Water, and Natural Resources Committee will meet today at 1.30 to hear two bills, House Bill 1270 and House Joint Resolution 1021. Thank you.
Representative Story.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. The Capital Development Committee will be meeting tomorrow morning at 8.30 in the Joint Budget Committee hearing room to meet with the Joint Budget Committee. Thank you.
Rep. Weinberg.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's a privilege to serve with you, ma'am. It is a privilege to serve with you. Good morning, fellow colleagues. I just want to introduce, I have my Loveland Turning Point chapter. If you could please stand and be recognized. And additionally, a good treat today, our vice chair of the School Board of Education, Yasmin Navarro, if you would please stand and be recognized. Thank you.
Thank you, members. Representative Soper.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members, seeing as how this is our sesquicentennial's estate, I wanted to continue the tradition of having a random fact about Colorado history. On this day in 1905, Colorado had three governors in one day. Yes, Alva Adams resigned. Then James Peabody was briefly governor for one hour, and then Jesse McDonald was governor. And the other Colorado trivia fact, yesterday was the day our Colorado Constitution was signed, back in 1876. March 15, 1876. Thank you for the important
historical fact. Representative Carter.
Thank you, Your Honor. I'm joined...
Love it. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I'm also joined up here by my colleague, Rep Titone. Colleagues, today I have the privilege of welcoming students from the Colorado School of Mines who represent the National Society of Black Engineers, or NSBE, one of the nation's largest student-led STEM organizations with over 700 chapters and more than 24,000 members worldwide. NSBE's mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically and succeed professionally and positively impact their community. The School of Mines NSBE chapter exemplifies this mission, and the chapter's members serve as mentors to students attending the Roberts STEAM Academy in Denver. They host numerous professional development programs on the Mines campus with industry partners and foster a strong community for all. I also if I could have a moment Representative Carter thank you I also want to welcome Members if you could keep your voices down Representative Carter I also want to as I recognizing these individuals from the School of Mines I want to recognize there are also members from Aurora Public Schools who are now attending the School of Mines as well. There are also members of the Aurora Public Schools attending the School of Mines as NSBE members. So please, if they could rise, all of my NSBE members, all of my APS members, all of my School of Mind members, if we could get a round of applause. Thank you.
Representative Wilford.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. the State Civic Military and Veterans Affairs Committee will convene at 1.30 p.m. in the Old State Library to hear Senate Bill 043. That's the only bill we're hearing.
Thank you. Representative Velasco.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. And members, today is Latino Advocacy Day. So please welcome Latinos from all over the state that are coming to visit you and talk about the issues that are important to us. And we also have a press event at 12 on the West Stabs for anyone that wants to join us. Thank you.
Thank you. Representative Bradfield.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Tomorrow is a wonderful opportunity for you to share with the people that come to the Bible study every Tuesday morning in room 109. We'd love to have you there, 7 o'clock.
Thank you. Representative Joseph.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Colleagues, today is Aerospace Day, and we would like to take an opportunity to welcome some of the scholars here today for Aerospace Day. So we have a tribute for the Donald Daniels Scholars. Every generation is defined by the young leaders who step forward with curiosity, courage, and a commitment to building a better future. Today, we have the opportunity to recognize a group of students who embody those qualities. These scholars have demonstrated not only academic excellence, but also leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to service in their communities. They represent the very best of what our region has to offer, and they remind us that the future of innovation and exploration and discovery is already taking shape in our classrooms across our state and neighborhoods. Today, as we celebrate Aerospace Day at the Capitol, it is especially fitting that we recognize students who are preparing to carry forward Colorado's proud legacy in aerospace and technological advancement. Would the Daniel Scholars please rise as we present to them a tribute? Please welcome them, colleagues.
Thank you.
These exceptional students represent Colorado, and neighboring states, including Utah, Mexico, and Wyoming, have distinguished themselves through their leaderships, strength of character, and commitment to their communities. Their decisions to pursue careers in Colorado's ...aerospace industries reflect both their ambition and the strength of our state's innovation and economy. As Colorado continues to lead the nation in aerospace technology and exploration, these scholars represent the next generation of leaders who will help shape our future. The House proudly honors the Daniel Fund Scholars and celebrates their achievement, their potential, and their commitment to building stronger future for Colorado in the region. So thank you all for being here today and for all the work that you do on behalf of the state of Colorado and also on behalf of your neighbors. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Mr. Minority Leader.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I don't know if everyone knows this, but Colorado is the number one per capita in the nation for aerospace employment concentration. We have over 55,000 Coloradans who are directly employed in aerospace, with aerospace sector supporting over 240,000 jobs across the state of Colorado. There will be a breakfast at 9 a.m., if you got it in time, and lunch at 12 p.m. in the West Foyer on the first floor. Also, there will be a legislative reception at the Denver Art Museum in the Grand Sturm Pavilion located at 100 West 14th Avenue. just across the street beginning at 3 p.m. And there'll be an industry panel talking about Colorado's role in the upcoming NASA Artemis II mission to the moon. So if you have time, please make sure you're there and show support for the aerospace community. Thank you.
Thank you. Representative Woodrow. And Camacho? Representative Camacho.
Colleagues, I would like to take a moment of personal privilege.
So approved.
Today, Representative Woodrow and here are here to honor a truly great constituent of House District 6, Anne Farrell, who tragically passed away last month from neuroendocrine carcinoid cancer, which she bravely battled for 16 years. Anne was a model citizen spending her career as a social worker, assisting thousands of displaced workers, at-risk youth, and refugees with career development. She was devoted to her family, and upon retirement in 2004, she relocated to Denver with her beloved late husband, John, who was also an outstanding citizen and member of our community, to spend time with him and care for four of her grandchildren. Anne cared deeply about our community, inspiring her involvement in politics. At Middlebury College, she was known for her involvement in the Young Democrats on campus and skills as an organizer. Over the next several decades, she contributed to take an active role in community politics. Following her move to Denver, she became involved with the Denver Democratic Party as a volunteer. Her work at the Denver Dems was recognized in 2011 and 2025, when she was awarded the Selma Locke Volunteer of the Year Award and the Frank Sullivan Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively. She maintained her status as a leader in the community until the end of her life, even leading a presentation on voter registration just 12 days before her death. I had the honor to attend with her family, her celebration of life, and I've met so many of her family members that I've heard about for years, and I think one of the things, the through line of that is Ann was so committed to our democracy and our community. One thing I often hear Ann say is have a plan to vote, be knowledgeable about what you're voting for, and make sure you get to the polls on time. And that is I think what we can hope for for all of our citizens across Colorado and across our Denver community So Ann was a remarkable woman whose dedication to helping others make her a model citizen Her passing is a difficult loss, not just for my district, but for Colorado as a whole. It was a privilege to know Ann, and I hope we can all take a moment to thank her for her service to our broader Colorado community.
Representative Woodrow.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is an honor to serve with you. It is an honor to serve with you. Colleagues, as the former representative of House District 6, I had the distinct honor and privilege of working closely with Ann Farrell, our former chair. She was a stalwart Democrat, a brilliant and charming woman, and a total fighter, waging her battle against cancer for over 16 years, which was about 15 more than the doctors first gave her. She and her husband, John, were fixtures in the party, standing for truth, justice, and kindness. Thank you all for your time. It will be dearly missed.
Madam Majority Leader. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I move to proceed out of order for consideration of resolutions.
Seeing no objection, we will proceed out of order for consideration of resolution. Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move for the immediate consideration
of House Joint Resolution 1023. Seeing no objection, we will proceed to the immediate consideration of House Joint Resolution 1023. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Joint Resolution 1023.
House Joint Resolution 1023 by Representatives Duran and Velasco, also Senators Rodriguez and Benavidez, concerning the recognition of Latino and Latina Advocacy Day.
Madam Majority Leader.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move House Joint Resolution 1023 and ask that it be further resolved portion be read.
Thank you. Mr. Schiebel, please read the portion requested.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 75th General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein, that we, the members of the Colorado General Assembly, recognize the achievements of Latinas and Latinos and honor their contributions to Colorado's long history of political engagement and their role in the policymaking process, that we pay tribute to past and current Latino and Latina Advocacy Day participants who have traveled to the Colorado State Capitol from across Colorado to ensure representation and the just treatment of Latino and Latina communities in Colorado, and that we devote ourselves to creating a Colorado that will one day work for all, regardless of immigration status, in the Colorado General Assembly. Madam Majority Leader. Thank you, Madam Speaker and members of the House. Today, I'm proud
to stand with Representative Velasco to recognize Latino Advocacy Day and celebrate the thousands of Latinos and Latinas across Colorado who strengthen our community every single day. For me, this is deeply personal. I'm the daughter of migrant farm workers. My grandparents worked the fields, helping build this nation with their hands and their sacrifice because they loved this land of opportunity and believed in the promise it holds. My mother carried that same belief with her into the fields each day, working under the hot sun, and when the workday ended, she stood up for dignity and justice. Early in her life, she marched alongside Dolores Fuerta and Cesar Chavez, standing with farm workers who believe that people who feed this nation deserve respect fairness and a voice those stories are not just history to me they are the voices of my ancestors that I carry with me every day when I walk onto this house floor I know my story isn unique It's the story of thousands of Latino families across Colorado and across this nation, families who came here with dreams, who worked hard and who sacrificed so the next generation could stand taller. Today we honor the pioneers who paved the way for many of us to stand here today. Polly Baca, a trailblazer who served the Colorado House and later in the Colorado Senate, becoming one of the first Latinas to serve the Colorado Legislature and dedicating her life to civil rights, representation, and opening doors for Latino communities across our state. Joe Garcia, who served as Colorado's Lieutenant Governor and Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, dedicating his career to opening doors for opportunity for students and families across our state. And Ruben Valdez, the first Latino speaker of the House, whose leadership helped open the doors of public service for generations who followed. We also recognize leaders who may not have held elected office, but those whose courage shaped our communities. Leaders like Rodolfo Corky-Gonzalez, whose voice helped ignite the Chicano movement here in Colorado and inspired generations to believe that voices matter. We also recognize Latino leaders across Colorado who stepped forward to serve their communities in public office. Leaders like Clarence Morando and Larry Trujillo Pueblo, who served in the Colorado House, and Clarice Navarro, who served Southern Colorado in both the House and Senate. Because of leaders like them, doors that were once closed are now open. And because of their courage and sacrifice, I have the honor of standing before you today as the first Latina to represent House District 23. That's not just a milestone for me. It's a reflection of the generations who came before us who believed that one day their children, their grandchildren, would have a seat at the table where decisions are made. My mother worked in the fields believing deeply in the promise of this nation, and today her daughter stands on the floor of the Colorado House believing in that same promise. Thank you.
Representative Velasco.
Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. Members, today we're going to have a lot of community members here, and I hope that you all can make them feel welcome. You know, for someone that's representing a community in the Western Slope that is about three hours away from Denver, it's hard to make it here. You know, it's hard to come and advocate for the things that we care about. So in my experience, you know, as a language access professional, as a firefighter, as a public information officer, and also as a service worker. You know, I worked in the hotel industry. And I know that sometimes we feel like we're doing everything right and it's still really hard to make ends meet. And I think that that experience is universal. And the things that we are advocating for are safety for all, making sure that people have water at their workplace and shade, that they're getting paid for the hours that they work, and that we have access to cleaner and clean water for us and our kids. It's very important for our community members to know that our experiences are what makes us experts. You know, we don't have to have a Ph.D. We love everyone that has that opportunity to get to have those degrees But I have an associate degree in culinary arts but I experienced what it was to go through COVID what it was to not have access to resources You know, I didn't even know how to apply to college when I first arrived to the U.S., what it is to learn another language, and what it is to bring your culture and your community and your traditions into Colorado, which makes us better and stronger. And also that community members are able to see themselves in these positions of power where decisions are made. And we know that it's not the same when the wealthy or someone that doesn't have our experiences is making the decisions than when a worker, someone that has struggled, someone that has gone through a lot of different experiences makes the rules because we are experiencing these issues. So I know that it's important for us to welcome our Latino community. We're excited to do the work together. And I know that Colorado is stronger because of our diversity. So please welcome all the community members that are visiting today.
Representative Barone.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members, I want to come up here and just specify for my caucus, myself. Of course, the whole resolution was not read here today. And everything that was said up here, we can agree on. The resolution itself, the language in it, the visive language, we cannot. That's why I'm going to be a no. And I want to speak for my cocks as well on why we're going to be no's because of the language that was not spoken up here today. I do want to thank the majority. Last week they came forward with us to give the language to us and work with us. Unfortunately, we cannot reach an agreement. That's very unfortunate, but I do want to thank the majority for doing so. But this language is not going to be something that we can support, unfortunately. It doesn't mean that we don't care about legal immigration. It doesn't mean that at all. We have plenty of legal immigrants in our families on our side, me included. We just cannot support the kind of language that's in this resolution. and it's very easily found online. So if people at home want to go ahead and look it up, it is very easy to find and you can understand why we cannot support it. Thank you.
Seeing no further discussion, the motion before us is the adoption of House Joint Resolution 1023. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Espinosa Gonzalez
Representative Gonzalez is excused. Please close the machine. um With 43-I, 18-No, and 4-Excused, House Joint Resolution 1023 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Members, we are moving forward to third reading. Madam Majority Leader.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to lay over House Bill 1130 until tomorrow.
Seeing no objection, House Bill 1130 will be laid over until tomorrow, March 17th. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1019.
House Bill 1019 by Representatives Leader and Bacon, also Senator Roberts, concerning mandatory health care coverage for preventive kidney function screening services.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1019 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1019 on third reading and final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Representative Velasco, please close the machine.
With 43I 19 no and 3 excused, House Bill 1019 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1280.
House Bill 1280 by Representatives, Leader, and Hamrick, also Senators Judah and Mullica, concerning the continuation of the regulation of hemodialysis treatment by the Department of Public Health and Environment and in connection therewith, implementing the recommendation contained in the 2025 Sunset Report by the Department of Regulatory Agencies.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1280 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1280 on third reading and final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Luck Sirota
Please close the machine. With 45 ayes 17 no and 3 excused, House Bill 1280 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1268.
House Bill 1268 by Representatives McCormick and Smith, also Senator Lindstedt, concerning measures to advance renewable energy projects on previously disturbed lands through the designation of Renewable Energy Reinvestment Areas.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1268 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1268 on third reading and final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Representative Ricks.
Please close the machine. With 48 I.14, no and three excused, House Bill 1268 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1139.
House Bill 1139 by Representatives Joseph and Leader, also Senator Cutter, concerning the use of artificial intelligence in health care.
Madam Majority Leader. Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1139 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1139 on third reading, final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Please close the machine.
With 47 I.15, no and three excused, House Bill 1139 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine Please close the machine Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1187.
House Bill 1187 by Representatives Stuart R. Nguyen, also Senators Exumon Snyder, concerning the continuation of the fire suppression programs of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control and in connection therewith, implementing the recommendations of the Department of Regulatory Agencies and the Department's 2025 Sunset Report.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1187 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1187 on third reading, final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Flanelle Garcia-Sander Winter.
Please close the machine. With 53 aye, 9 no, and 3 excused, House Bill 1187 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1053.
House Bill 1053 by Representative Morrow, also Senators Pelton, B. and Wallace, concerning the administration of duties related to the ownership of a vehicle and in connection there with making appropriation.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1053 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1053 on third reading, final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Please close the machine.
With 62 ayes, 0 no, and 3 excused, House Bill 1053 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1208.
House Bill 1208 by Representative Velasco, also Senators Linstead and Exum, concerning the continuation of the compliance advisory panel to the Air Pollution Control Division and the Department of Public Health and Environment.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1208 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1208 on third reading and final passage. Mr Schiebel please open the machine and members proceed to vote
Please close the machine.
With 43I 19 no and 3 excused, House Bill 1208 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1297.
House Bill 1297 by Representatives Carter and Luck, also Senators Rich and Exum, concerning using uniform language to reference misdemeanor traffic offenses. Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1297 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1297 on third reading and final passage.
Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote. Please close the machine.
With 62 I, 0, no, and 3 excused, House Bill 1297 is adopted.
Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1194
House Bill 1194 by Representatives English and Barone also Senator Hendrickson concerning the continuation of the Office of Combative Sports and in connection therewith, implementing the recommendations of the Department of Regulatory Agencies and the Department's 2025 sunset report
Madam Majority Leader
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1194 on third reading and final passage
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1194 and third reading and final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Please close the machine.
With 51I-11-03 excused, House Bill 1194 is adopted. Co-sponsors. please close the machine
Mr. Schiebel
please read the title to House Bill 1303
House Bill 1303 1303 by Representatives Bradley and Carter, also Senators Ball and Catlin, concerning technical changes to energy and carbon management statutes.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1303 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1303 on third reading and final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Please close the machine.
With 62I-0-no-and-3-excuse, House Bill 1303 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1116.
House Bill 1116 by Representatives Raiden and Gonzalez, also Senator Ball, concerning processes related to individuals with behavioral health disorders.
Madam Majority Leader
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1116 on third reading and final passage
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1116 on third reading and final passage Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote
Ricks. Ricks. Please close the machine.
With 59I, 3 no, and 3 excused, House Bill 1116 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1262.
House Bill 1262 by Representatives Stuart K. and Stuart R., also Senators Ball and Roberts, concerning preserving patient access to compounded medical items.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1262 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1262 on third reading and final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Please close the machine
With 61I, 1 no, and 3 excused, House Bill 1262 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to Senate Bill 11.
Senate Bill 11 by Senators Frazell and Roberts, also Representatives Basinecker and Caldwell, concerning search warrant requirements for operators of certain electronic platforms.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move Senate Bill 11 on third reading and final passage.
The motion before us is the adoption of Senate Bill 11 on third reading, final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Bacon, Brooks, Brown, and Luck. Please close the machine.
With 57 I, 5 no, and 3 excused, Senate Bill 11 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1203
House Bill 1203 by Representatives Marshall and Bacon also Senators Benavidez and Liston concerning the modification of County Commissioner Elections
Madam Majority Leader
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1203 on third reading and final passage
Representative Richardson
Thank you Madam Speaker Sorry to break up the rhythm today but had some time over the weekend to... Ooh. That seems vaguely threatening, but anyway. No. Madam Speaker, members, I represent three of the large counties that would be affected by this bill. Not a lot of the people, but a lot of the geography of El Paso Adams and Arapaho. and I didn't speak on seconds because I wanted to listen to what the sponsors had to say and I wanted to chat with the commissioners of the counties that I represent as well. But based on what I heard, I believe the policy it recommends is actually unnecessary. It overstates some of the judicial findings. And I think unfortunately it based on a misunderstanding of the actual role of county commissioners something I got some experience with over the last eight years So the bill asks us to believe there's only one right way to structure county government in every large county in Colorado. That's simply not true. The counties that this bill targets already reflect different lawful voter choices about structure, elections, and accountability of their elected officers. That means what exists today is not some accidental injustice, as I feel it was presented on Friday, but it's a product of our state law and local voter choice. Some counties already use five district-based seats. Some use three district-linked seats elected countywide. One uses a mixed system. HB 1203 doesn't restore democracy in these counties. It overrides local choice of structure with a one-size-fits-all state preference. The sponsors spoke Friday as though at-large voting automatically creates an unlawful dilution of representation. That's not how the law works. Yes, courts in some states other than Colorado have struck down at-large county systems in Voting Rights Act cases, but those rulings are intensely fact-specific. They depend on local demographics, political cohesion, block voting, election history, and a totality of the circumstances. They do not in themselves prove that every at-large or mixed system is inherently illegitimate. One thing that I don't believe was discussed, Colorado has its own experience in this. In 2001, in the case of the U.S. versus Alamosa County, the Department of Justice challenged Alamosa's at-large commissioner system under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. At the time of the case, Alamosa County had a population of under 15,000. It's modeled the way most of the counties in this state are, with three commissioners at large. Hispanic voters made up 41% or excuse me Hispanics made up 41% of the population and 38% of the voting age population. After the trial, the federal court ruled for Alamosa County and held that the at-large system didn't violate Section 2 under the totality of the circumstances. I didn't find any reports that that decision was appealed. So the one Colorado case that's somewhat on point negates the assertions of the sponsors. In this case, it's now less than 17,000 people still. It's a county that's bill would not even touch, but we've got some discussion and a court case on point. So the other piece of this to me is kind of structural. the sponsors are attempting to measure county offices with a state legislative ruler. At the state level, our Constitution divides and separates power into three branches, the legislative, executive, and judicial. That's what we grew up with on Schoolhouse Rock. The state legislator's primary role is representation in a lawmaking body that's checked by separate executive and judicial branches. Counties do not work that way. In Colorado, the Board of County Commissioners is the county's primary policymaking body, and it's responsible for administrative and budgetary functions. And the Colorado Supreme Court has described county commissioners as officers with executive legislative and quasi responsibilities That matters because a county commissioner is not just a district advocate A commissioner helps govern the entire county as an integral part of the board. It is that combined board that actually makes policy, approves budgets, oversees administration, and sits in quasi-judicial functions. so countywide accountability for countywide responsibilities it is not a defect it's entirely rational I believe this bill ignores local choice it overstates judicial findings on dilution and it misunderstands the office it seeks to redesign for those reasons I will be a no vote and urge others to join me thank you
representative Garcia Sander
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I, too, didn't speak on second because I wanted to make sure that I checked with my counties and really understood this. So I'm speaking on behalf of my constituents for House District 65. This bill does not recognize home rule, and home rule counties need to be exempted from this. The argument that weld is exempted is not the point. Home rule counties need to be exempted. Also, the state constitution grants us the right to organize via home rule. That charter then allows counties to organize the government as voters see fit. And so home rule is part of the Colorado constitution, and so home rule counties should be exempt on this bill. I urge a no vote.
Seeing no further dis... Representative Marshall.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's an honor to serve with you. It is an honor to serve with you. Yes, it's quite surprising to have no one speak on second reading but then take the opportunity on third, so a rebuttal probably is in order. And I make this plea mainly to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. This is a basic civil rights bill. That's why my colleague is here beside me on it. And there used to be a proud history of civil rights support on the other side of the aisle. In fact, when the 64 Civil Rights Act was put together, it was William McCulloch, the Republican from Ohio, a small-town Republican, who wrote the bill. Burke Marshall went to them from the DOJ and gave him carte blanche authority to do it it was the Republican Party that had a far greater percentage of their members vote for the civil rights bill with Everett Dickerson from Illinois, the minority leader, making sure they were doing the right thing and said the time has come we had a colleague who said where this bill is saying there's only one way to structure a county that's not what this bill says we say there's one way to wrongly structure a county large counties with at large elections for all the members has never never been considered appropriate Congress outlawed them for congressional The DOJ went after them everywhere. We have several of your most respected former members fully endorse this, but they were people from a different time, obviously. So if you want to kick away the heritage you once had, that's fine.
Representative Marshall, please do not impugn or speak to the intentions of others in this chamber. Thank you.
It's not an intention, ma'am. If you make a decision like that that's against the heritage, then so be it. But this is a bill that protects small groups, no matter who they are. And that's something the American system has always tried to do. So unless somebody forgets, you know, we have a few colleagues who forget, we should have the votes to get it through. but I would love to see some support from the other side of the aisle because it is a civil rights bill that's for the betterment of the entire state. So thank you.
Assistant Majority Leader Bacon.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you to my colleagues. I'd like to build upon and address, I do believe, what my co-prime was speaking to. And I can appreciate his passion and interest, and I can appreciate our colleagues' concerns that you all are seeing. I'd like to kind of readdress and rephrase the principle by sharing how I became a sponsor on this bill. Thank you to my colleague from Arapahoe, and I think we're, again, you have like nine counties. Okay, sorry. And I want to kind of reframe what I said. Thank you for the case law. And I do believe the county that I heard the case being brought forward, I think I heard Alamosa, right? Well, this bill is about counties of a particular size. We did not base the bill or make the statement that all at-large counties have dilution issues. We also did address home rule in the bill. if you read through the amendments. But what I said was this. And this is where I think it connects. And I'm going to talk a little bit. If you give me a little bit of latitude, Madam Speaker, I apologize ahead of time. But I'm going to talk about the principle in regards to our parties and when we talk about heritage. Once upon a time, I did have conversations with my colleagues across the aisle about the history of my party and the history of theirs, and that the Democrats weren't exactly the best when it came to the issues of slavery, when it came to the issues of Jim Crow. And in fact, during the civil rights era, we needed a lot of support. The black community needed a lot of support from the Republican Party, and they came through. And in fact, that was probably the undoing of the Democrats at the time. The Democrats had to stand up and say they were not segregationists. We had the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, all brought through the Kennedy legacy. And we saw a lot of people leave the Democratic Party over the issues of racism And so when we talking about the heritage one in the one sense we talking about that it took a bipartisan effort and it took an effort from a party that is currently not my own to talk about fairness. And that is the legacy. What I did say is that when dilution cases are brought, the overwhelming majority are brought because of at-large districts. But I didn't say that every at-large district does voter dilution, and I just wanted to be clear on that. Given also the size of the counties that we're talking about, and again, members, it is counties over 70,000 people, and that's not all of them. That's like seven of them. And when you have communities of that size, probably through historical contexts as well as current development, unfortunately, we do see communities still living by and around each other. Different cities have different personalities, different cultures, and different neighbors. And the question then becomes, are we in a place, when we get to a threshold of number, where one city might have different voter data, more integrated voter data that might be deciding their representation for another city. And while we do have a legacy of communities deciding how they want to be represented, we also have a legacy of laws to be sure that in those decisions we don't have ultimately discriminatory outcomes because in America what we all decided on when we supported as a nation, the Voting Rights Act in the 60s, we said that the nature of voting comes down to the voters' interests and that they should have a fair shot at representation. And so in the event communities decide how they want to elect people, we will have guard rails to ensure that we will get the most inclusive outcome. because if we didn't, we would have people not able to express. And we have seen evidence of that in the last 60 years. And so while communities have decided and made everything from making boundaries to figuring out how they can raise their voice, that has always been balanced by fairness. Some communities have chosen, unfortunately, to be harmful, and some communities didn't know that their choices were harmful, but we have a tool to question that and to be sure that every voter has a fair shot at choosing who they would like to represent them. And so while I can appreciate that communities can decide, I do appreciate that. I also want us to know that we have a long history in this country, whether it's at the federal or state level, through our clauses, our supremacy clauses, to balance those interests. and so again I want to thank everyone for the conversation the reason why I joined this bill maybe you all did not know in addition to what I shared about my curiosities around dilution I also joined it because I did believe that there were bipartisan efforts to support it because ours is not the only community that feels like they do not have a voice at the county level And for me, when we're talking about voters and their voices, regardless of what party it is, I feel like everyone should have a shot at representation, even if it's not from my own party. in the spirit of the fairness that I'm describing. And so I was made aware that we would have support from the other side of the aisle. Maybe it was not in this chamber, maybe it's in the other, but it's for the same premises. And so with that, members, I do hope you can hear the clarity. I do hope you can hear the questions that we asked about representation and the problem in which we are trying to solve, in which we are allowed to solve as a state, dealing with our own political subdivisions within the boundaries of home rule. And so with that, members, I would ask for an aye vote, or I might pause to be able to respond to my colleagues.
Representative Bottoms.
Thank you, Speaker. I had already decided I wasn't going to speak on this, and I have been back and forth. I am a no vote today, but this was securely established for me when the author of the bill got up and said some of the things he said. I don't disagree with pretty much anything the assistant majority leader said. I do agree with a lot of what she said, but when you start pointing at the reason we're voting is because of our heritage or some kind of back story that makes us the bad guys, I do appreciate that the assistant majority leader got up here and explained some of that rhetoric of heritage, but she didn't go far enough. when our heritage includes almost all civil rights votes were Republican votes. Almost none of them were Democrat votes. That's heritage. To say that this is a civil rights bill is completely out of line.
This is a county commissioner bill.
This is a local representation bill. I strongly believe in local government and local representation. But to somehow accuse our side that we're not voting for this.
Representative Bottoms, I am providing some latitude because of our conversation today. No need to make accusations now. That has been addressed with a former speaker. Thank you.
I disagree with that extremely, extremely, Speaker.
Thank you, Representative Bottoms.
This was attacked to us by their side, not our side. We didn't bring this up.
Representative Bottoms, I did address that with the member that was speaking. I will ask you to speak to the bill.
Thank you. This is a local control issue, not a heritage issue, not a civil rights issue, not a prejudice issue, and it is out of line for their side to do this. I am not okay with that.
Assistant Minority Leader Winter.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. I know that a lot of this is addressed, but we talk about keeping the temperature down in this building, and I refuse to let the motives of my colleagues be impugned from this well Assistant Minority Leader Winter I too will provide you some latitude but let me remind you I did address this with the former speaker Thank you This is a local control issue. This is something that the county commissioners and the voters with inside of these counties can handle. And if there was a problem, there would have been a lawsuit by now. I would think so. There's a lot I wanted to say, Madam Speaker, that I'm not going to be allowed to say, and that's unfortunate. But the people on this side of the aisle are good people. We are the party of Lincoln, the party of Grant, and we don't forget those things. I refuse to have any stigma put on us. We're here to do the people's work. I'm not one of those that tries to make political points or have I got you moments in this building because that isn't what I was sent here to do. And in the future, you're going to see me refuse to take votes on divisive things in this building. I'm done with it. People can't afford rent. They can't afford groceries. They can't afford heat in their homes. We're throwing wild accusations at each other. And then we wonder why the people of Colorado are disgusted with all of us.
Assistant Minority Leader Winter, happy to talk about today's proceedings later. Please speak to the bill. Thank you.
For the reasons that I stated, I believe it's a local control issue. That is why Rep Winter is voting no. I believe this is an issue that they can handle inside of their own counties, and that's why Representative Winter is voting no. I'm not voting no for any reasons other than those. And I will refuse to have my vote put in a box for political gain. Thank you.
Thank you, Assistant Minority Leader. Assistant Majority Leader Bacon.
This is your second time to speak. You have two minutes and 39 seconds remaining. Thank you, and thank you to my colleagues from across the aisle. I wanted to just end by saying I hope you did hear my acknowledgement and understanding of both of our histories politically. And I would end by saying I think this bill is about all the things that we heard. It is about local control, and I would also say it is also about civil rights. Voting is one of our most fundamentally sacred and appreciated practices in this country. And in the event that we do have the issues that you talked about with affordability, energy, and all of those things, the way that we try to solve that collectively is through our votes and through our voices with having representatives such as yourselves coming up here and so passionately arguing for your community okay sorry and so i just hope that we could bring it back to that we know that we always differ here i saw a few uh unanimous votes today i guess sunsets are cool but in regards to the practice of voting. It is something that we give the most utmost of scrutiny to in this country because how important it is to address both of our issues. And there are places in this state that even though you are not a member of my party, some people across the aisle believe their voices are not as represented at the county level as well. And that is why we're bringing this bill forward. So I wanted to say thank you to our colleagues. I have received your concerns. But I hope you can hear from ours that sometimes all of those issues come down to who we vote for, and that's why we're raising this question for us to decide fairly today. So thank you very much. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you to all of our colleagues. We do encourage an aye vote on this bill. Representative Gonzalez.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Members, I'll keep this short. Normally I don't like to go up here on thirds because I know you guys like to make sure we get into a routine. I have great respect for my colleagues for both the sponsors on this bill I did want to acknowledge that I did have conversations with some other people in counties that this would affect I also just want to put on the record that both Republican and Democrat counties are opposed to this not all of them but I think a lot of them are hearing their concerns through phone calls and emails and I also just want to put on the record that I do we all believe in local control at least we should when it comes to policies here we should let the counties decide for themselves what what works best you know i think uniform policies that the state likes to mandate and push on counties and local municipalities is not effective and i think it has the adverse effect when it comes to the intent of what we wish to do um i also want to say we can disagree civilly i just don't appreciate being yelled at so um just just upon the record we can have dialogue just don't yell please for the love of god do not do that um you know we're all here about respecting each other one another um as a colleague as a body and um i also just want to put on the record that when it comes to civil rights, just hearing about the conversation today, we should also be reminded of our history of who really was the people who championed civil rights back in the 60s. Look at the history. But I said my piece, and I will be a respectful note. I have great respect for my colleagues who pushed this. I know you guys did good work for that and have the utmost respect for you guys, but I will be a noble on this bill.
Seeing no further discussion, the motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1203 on third reading and final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Please close the machine.
With 35 I, 27 no, and 3 excused, House Bill 1203 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to House Bill 1207
House Bill 1207 by Representatives Jackson and Bacon also Senators Kipp and Danielson concerning employer accountability through disclosure of demographic workforce data
Madam Majority Leader
Madam Speaker, I move House Bill 1207 on third reading and final passage
The motion before us is the adoption of House Bill 1207 on third reading final passage Mr Schiebel please open the machine and members proceed to vote
Please close the machine.
With 43 I 19 no and 3 excused, House Bill 1207 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Mr. Schiebel, please read the title to Senate Bill 32.
Senate Bill 32 by Senators Daugherty and Mollcalls, Representatives Foray and Brown, concerning the promotion of immunization access.
Madam Majority Leader.
Madam Speaker, I move Senate Bill 32 on third reading and final passage.
Representative Luck.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Happy Monday, everyone. So on Friday, we had a very lengthy conversation about different aspects of this bill. We talked about parental rights. We talked about compelled speech. We talked about an adult immunization act being created and what that could signify for the future, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. We also talked about liability. And I think it's important to just have a conversation again on the mic about that piece. If I'm understanding correctly, the federal level, what has occurred is that there are recommendations made by the CDC ACIP program. Those particular recommendations for a vaccine schedule are then covered by a program that allows injured parties to receive compensation from the federal government because the federal government has provided a shield for those folks involved in the vaccine creation and administering process chain, supply chain. Now, if I understand correctly the history of this, and I'm sure that the medical freedom folks will correct me once I get back to my seat if I've misstated this, but my understanding is that in the 1980s, President Reagan worked in conjunction with Congress and the medical field because there was this desire to see vaccines advanced for health and safety purposes, but there was a fear that companies would not engage in research and development if they were likely to be sued or if there was harm done that they would not necessarily continue down the course of making these vaccines and so the federal government said we think it so important to have these vaccines we are going to provide some liability to incentivize additional production of them And that liability will be protective of the companies that make these things and the people who provide them. But we also know that there is a possibility for harm done to people who receive vaccines. And so in order to be fair to that side of the equation, we will provide taxpayer-funded compensation to those folks. Colorado has been covered by that, but if this bill were to pass, the dynamics shift because the federal government's recommendations have narrowed significantly. I think it's gone from something like 70 down to five covered vaccines under the federal program. And if this bill passes and the State Board of Health expands that list of vaccination, recommended vaccinations beyond what the federal government does, then there will be particular vaccines that are not covered by the federal government in terms of compensating the injured parties. And so then the question is, where does that compensation come from for those injured parties who maybe have gotten the other 65 and have had injury? They can no longer go to the feds. And under this bill, there is a limit of liability as well. Now, it's interesting because strictly speaking, as we discussed on Friday, this bill only covers negligence. The bill only allows for negligence. It says, sorry, I've lost my spot, but basically it says that they are immune from liability unless negligence can be proved. Now, I ran an amendment to try to make sure that this body is not suggesting that negligence is the only realm. But this body is not saying if you intentionally do something to a vaccine that causes harm, that those people who intentionally act that way can't be sued. Now, I was told that there are judges who would see negligence as the base, and then from there look at all of the things higher like recklessness and intentionality. But that's not strictly speaking what this bill covers. And so I'm concerned. I'm concerned on two fronts. I'm concerned that through this mechanism, through this bill, we are setting up a situation where people who are harmed, who previously could be compensated by the federal government, will no longer be able to be compensated. And I'm also concerned that we are only going to be covering those actions that are negligent, nothing that is higher than that. And I think that puts us in a bind with respect to the people who are taking the recommendations of our state board of health, who may find themselves injured and then without any sort of ability to be compensated for that injury. I know this is a Senate bill, so there's no possibility for this to have conversations in the other chamber, but I do hope that this issue will factor into your vote today. I would ask for a no vote. And if this bill were to pass, I do hope that the folks who are concerned about this space will look at this issue for the future because we do not need to have families who are injured by these vaccines not be able to be compensated. And I will just note, I was told that the VICP, the federal program that pays out for compensation for injuries, in January and February of this year has already paid out $55 million in claims. That's a lot of people who are injured. And if the state of Colorado is going to say we decoupling from the federal rules and we decoupling from the federal protection I think it behooves us to provide the same level of protection at the state level because otherwise we have our people who are getting injured without any recourse in the courts or in their pocketbooks I ask for a no vote.
Seeing no further discussion, the motion before us is the adoption of Senate Bill 32 on third reading and final passage. Mr. Schiebel, please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Carter.
Please close the machine. With 43I 19 no and 3 excused, Senate Bill 32 is adopted. Co-sponsors. Please close the machine. Members, I have one announcement. Representatives Brown, Sirota, and Taggart are excused at such time as necessary for the Joint Budget Committee meeting.
Madam Majority Leader. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move the following bills be made special orders on March 16, 2026 at 11.34 a.m. Senate Bill 74, House Bill 1252, Senate Bill 16, Senate Bill 37, and House Bill 1253.
Seeing no objection, the bills listed by the majority leader will be made special orders on March 16 at 11.34 a.m. Representative English. Members, you've heard the motion. Seeing no objection, Representative English will take the chair.
Thank you. Thank you. .
The committee will come to order. With your unanimous consent, the bills will be read by title unless there is a request for reading a bill at length. Committee reports are printed and in your bill folders. Floor amendments will be shown on the screen on iLegislate and in today's folder on your box account. Bills will be laid over upon motion of the majority leader. The code rule is relaxed.
Mr. Sheebel, please read the title of Senate Bill 2674. Senate Bill 74 by Senators Carson and Snyder, also Representative Camacho, concerning clarification of the penalty for claiming an excessive amount in a public construction performance bond dispute.
Representative Camacho. Madam Chair, I move Senate Bill 74 and the committee report.
To the committee report.
Thank you, Madam Chair. In committee, we added four amendments to essentially mirror the bond requirements or the limitations for filing an excessive bond, both in the Mechanics Lean statute and the Public Works Act statute. And we ask for an aye vote.
Is there any further discussion on the committee report? Seeing none, the question before us is the adoption of the committee report. All those in favor, the Judiciary Report. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, no. The committee report is adopted. Representative Camacho, to the bill.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Senate Bill 74 is a straightforward bill that clarifies an important inconsistency in Colorado's construction law. Under current Colorado law, we treat intentionally excessive bond claims for public construction projects differently than excessive claims for private construction projects. Contractors working on private construction projects can file a mechanics lien if they are not paid for work performed. If a court finds that a contractor not only files a lien for more than what they are actually owed, the law is clear. They lose their lien rights and are likely to be responsible for the defendant's costs and attorney's fees. Public construction projects work a little differently under current law. Because public property cannot be subject to a lien, contractors instead file what is called a verified statement of claim against a payment bond that is required for the project. However, statute governing public construction claims is less clear about the consequences when so knowingly files a claim for an excessive amount. Senate Bill 74 does four important things. It aligns public construction bond claim penalties with existing private mechanical lien penalties, clarifies that intentionally claiming more than what is owed results in the claimant forfeiting statutory recovery rights, establishes consistency and fairness across the area of Colorado construction law, discourages inflated or abusive payment claims. Those who intentionally try to take advantage of the system not only drain valuable state resources at the cost of taxpayers, but hurt claimants who come forward with legitimate claims. Moreover, illegitimate claims place undue pressure on the court system, delaying legitimate claims and preventing contractors from receiving the money they need to support their families and businesses Importantly this bill does not affect legitimate payment disputes Contractors and subcontractors will continue to have the full ability to assert claims in good faith to protect their right from payment. The bill only addresses situations where someone knowingly claims more than they are owed without a reasonable basis. By relying on the rules for public and private construction projects, Senate Bill 74 promotes consistency in the law and discourages abusive or inflated claims while preserving protections that contractors rely on. At its core, this bill says one thing. If you are a working person in Colorado, whether you're working on a private construction project or a public construction project, you should not be in fear of asserting your claim or your rights because the law would be different depending on where you are working. This is a fundamental fairness bill and we ask for an aye vote.
Representative
Wynn. Thank you, Madam Chair. It is an honor to serve with you. It is an honor to serve with you. I join as a prime sponsor of this bill because I believe that this brings a leveling playing field. As a former member of Broomfield City Council, I understand that local governments and public construction requires aspects, elements of building, and this bill allows for transparency. So vote good bill, vote yes. Thank you.
Is there any further discussion on Senate Bill 74? Seeing none, the question before is the adoption of Senate Bill 74. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, no. The ayes have it. Senate Bill 74 is adopted.
Mr. Schiebel, please read the title of House Bill 1252. House Bill 1252 by Representative Bradfield concerning updates to state entities responsible for responding to emergency situations.
Representative Morrow. Thank you, Madam Chair. I move House Bill 26-1252 and the committee report.
To the committee report.
Thank you, Madam Chair. This is a relatively simple bill and went through committee very easily and I ask for an aye vote.
Is there Representative Luck to the committee report? No? Okay. Is there any further discussion on the committee report? Seeing none, the question before us is the adoption of the committee report. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed, no. The committee report is adopted. Representative Morrow to the bill.
Thank you, Madam Chair. This bill updates Colorado's statutory framework for managing emergencies to better align with current operational needs. The bill designates the Office of Emergency Management as the primary state agency responsible for coordinating disaster recovery and preparedness efforts, ensures that the personally identifiable information of a disaster survivor is protected from public information requests, and makes changes to better represent current practices. Representative Bradfield.
Thank you, Madam Chair. You know, due to the complex nature of disasters and the federal government's shift in responsibility for recovery to the states, an increased burden will be placed on local, state, and tribal governments to build capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Under current statute, there is no primary state agency designated to lead recovery and planning, which could add unnecessary complexity and confusion both during and after a disaster as recovery efforts begin. Current law does not explicitly address confidentiality protections for the PII of disaster survivors who register in the disaster survival portal from public information requests And without these protections, disaster survivors may be vulnerable to identity theft and fraud and seek, hesitant to seek assistance.
Representative Morrow. Thank you, Madam Chair. This will designate OEM as the lead agency responsible for coordinating state agencies in providing whole government support for disaster recovery while preserving existing departmental authority for administering specific recovery programs. It will clarify confidentiality protections, and it will update the statute to reflect current operational needs and best practices.
Representative Bradfield. Thank you. This bill ensures that Colorado can effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. It also supports disaster survivors by protecting their personal information from public disclosure, giving them one less thing to worry about as they begin the disaster recovery process. We do ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
Representative Luck. Thank you, Madam Chair. I heard this bill in committee, and I do have a few issues with what it entails, but one of them I had a conversation with the Director for Public Safety during the witness testimony phase and asked if the department would be open to an amendment to page 5, Section C. So what is being done in this particular section, B and C, is saying that no longer will disaster-related information be available for specific survivors. So you have a hailstorm in Fountain like there was a couple of years ago, and all of these trees go down, all these roofs, cars are significantly damaged, the place is a mess, you can't even drive through it. and people apply for grants or assistance, their names are kept in a spreadsheet that right now someone could CORA. Someone could request that information and get all of those intimate details about people who have sought these particular services. And unfortunately, because of the world in which we live these days, some folks are abusing that and are fraudulently engaging with others with this information. And so this bill says we're going to close the door on that, and we're going to not allow for that information to be distributed to other individuals. We're going to keep that in-house and close to the chest to protect these folks. I agree. I'm good with that. The second part of it, though, says we are going to compile that information in an aggregate form in a way by which people can't tap those specific individuals, but so that there can be better coordination between all of the different groups who are responding to emergencies. But what is left out of this list is the press and the public. And so I have an amendment. I move L003 to House Bill 1252 and ask that it be displayed.
One moment, please. The amendment has been displayed Representative Luck to the amendment
Thank you, Madam Chair. This amendment reads that the Office of Emergency Management may share aggregated disaster recovery data, including portal data, mapping data, program performance metrics, and federal disaster program data with the press and with the public. You all know how important it is when there is some sort of disaster that the public and the press be kept regularly updated of what is happening and then after to be able to get access to that information to do a look back, to hold government accountable, right? You have the fourth branch of government, so to speak, in the press, and so they need to be able to access information that tells them generally how we did in terms of responding to a particular, absolutely, to a particular situation. And so all this does is enable that information to be shared, again, in aggregate form so that nobody is at risk. And it gives the department, it's not a shall, it's a may, so it gives them discretion as to when they would share. Maybe there are instances when that is not appropriate or the timing is not yet right, et cetera. But in any case, I think it is important that we give this information out for the general public to see, either via the press or directly. And so I ask for an aye vote.
Representative Morrow? Thank you, Madam Chair. I do believe we're fine with this amendment, so we request an aye vote.
What did you... You said an aye vote? Okay. Members, the question before us is the adoption of Amendment L-03. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed, no. Amendment L-003 has been adopted. Is there any further discussion on the bill? Seeing none, the question before us is the adoption of House Bill 1252. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed, no. House Bill 1252 is adopted.
Mr. Sheba, please read the title of Senate Bill 16. Senate Bill 16 by Senators Cutter and Wallace, also Representatives Smith and Lukens, concerning prohibiting the discharge of pre-production plastic materials.
Representative Lukens. Thank you, Madam Chair. I move Senate Bill 16 and the Energy and Environment Report.
To the committee report. One moment.
Thank you, Madam Chair. in the Energy and Environment Committee report it states that we brought three amendments in the E&E committee. One was to remove the term facility and replace it with persons. One was in regards to labeling the term wastewater treatment to align with existing state law. The other amendment was in regards to eliminating the criminal penalty section. We ask for your yes vote on the Energy and Environment
Committee report. Is there any further discussion on a committee report? Seeing none, the question before us is the adoption of the committee report. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. All those opposed, no. The committee report is adopted. To the bill, Representative Smith.
Thank you, Madam Chair. As a former aquatic scientist, I am happy to bring forward SB 26-016 with my esteemed colleague. Plastic pellets are small, lentil-sized pieces of plastic that are used in plastic manufacturing. They're the feedstock that is melted down into other plastic products from packaging containers to computers and other electronics. Because they are so small and lightweight, they can be spilled at almost every step of plastic production at raw plastic manufacturing facilities, from trains and other transport vehicles, and at the facilities that use them to make other products. They are difficult to see by the naked eye once they are spilled because they mix with the dirt and so forth. Every plastic pellet that has entered our environment is likely present in some form. Plastic can take anywhere between a thousand, a hundred to thousands of years to break down. Why do we need this bill? Because microplastics are polluting our environment and our bodies. They have been found in some of the most remote places on Earth, including the two poles. In Colorado, 16 waterways were tested in 2023, and 100% of them were found to be polluted with microplastics. Among those waterways include the Arkansas River, Cherry Creek, and the South Platte. These pellets are about the size of fish eggs. It can look like food to fish. As they break down into smaller and smaller sizes, they can be ingested by zooplankton. Fish and zooplankton guts can become full of plastics, and they can starve to death because they lack the nutrition they need to survive. The spillover effect is a negative effect on food chains and can cause fisheries to crash. Microplastics have also been found in the human body, including the heart and the brain, with evidence to suggest they are harming our health. For this reason, we need House Bill 26-016. This bill prohibits companies and transporters from discharging these pellets on land or water, and furthermore, it prohibits the CDPHE from even issuing a discharge permit. And I ask for an aye vote.
Is there any further discussion on Senate Bill 16? Representative Garcia-Sanders.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I have a question for the bill sponsors. I am just curious. We have an apple orchard, and we use potting soil when we plant trees. And also, I know many of us love flowers in pots, and we use potting soil that has some of these little pellets in them. And I'm guessing that there's some plastic composition to those. Perlite is also part of potting soil that's in lots of commercially sold potting mixes. And it's put in there to retain moisture. Some of those, again, I believe it's plastic composition. They absorb the water, hold the water, and then it's a slow-release process so that you're not having to put so much water on over and over again. It retains the moisture in the soil. So I'm just curious, does this bill prohibit the use of perlite or those little water retention bubbles in potting soil? Representative Smith.
Thank you for the question, and I am not certain what the chemical composition of perlite is. I would have to look it up since you just brought this up. But you are purchasing that at a McGuckin's or a Home Depot or whatever, and so we're not disallowing you from purchasing products and Murdoch's products and putting them in your potting soil because I think my husband probably does the same thing Representative Barron Thank you Madam Chair Members I come up here in opposition to this bill not because it a bad idea
It's not a bad idea. We can both agree, and I thank the sponsors. We can all agree that taking care of our environment is very important. The issue I have with this bill is that it's something that really isn't needed. Now, let me get started with the definition of microplastics. Microplastics, I've heard microplastics defined as a plastic that you can only see through a microscope, that goes into your, that we drink every day because of plastic cups, goes into your lungs, this and that, to a grocery bag, considered a microplastic, and everything in between. So the definition of microplastics, I think, is very, very broad. We haven't been able to really just say this is a microplastic, this is a medium plastic, this is a large plastic, whatever. But I just think in the bill, the microplastic is a very broad statement and might unintentionally have a consequence of, hey, let's say you just bought a new couch. And you know the couch has plastic wrapping around it, plastic bag wrapping, and then you're going down the street, taking a home, and a small piece of it tears off that couch, and it goes on the street. Now, I understand that we took out the punishment part of this bill, but still that's irrelevant to the point that now they are going against what this bill really entails. It was unintentional. Now, going back to the pellets side of this bill, now these pre-production pellets are sold to companies that produce plastic materials, of course, but they don't come in, like, sheets. They don't come in sheets of plastic. They come in these small pellets that look similar to, let's say, what is that? What's that? What's that food? It's like a yogurt kind of food with little pellets in it. You know what I'm talking about? Well, anyway, what my daughters like to drink is boba, something like that. So they come like that, and they're sold to these production companies that build plastic materials in these little small forms. And then they, when they buy them, they melt it down, and they form it the way they need to form it for their product. Now, these companies that are selling these pre-production pellets, they weigh them, they're sold by the weight, they ship them, and then whoever buys those pellets weigh them again, just to make sure they're getting what they paid for. Now, one of the arguments in this bill that was said in committee is that apparently there's spills that happens on these pre-production pellets, in transit, either a train or semi-truck. But it's really hard to believe. And then we did look into it a little bit. I think there was only one case in the last years that actually they spilled some. It was cleaned up, of course, right away because obviously there's a bunch of plastic pellets on the ground. But it doesn't make sense that they would intentionally or carelessly not pack these pellets correctly because it's loss of money. It's loss of revenue. If they spill it all the time they losing money They losing weight When it gets to the customer they like no we bought 20 pounds of this and only 15 pounds showed up Now they have to take away five pounds of what they sold. So the motive of this bill is correct. I can agree with that. Let's take care of our environment. But now we're just nitpicking. Now we're just going piece by piece, and I don't think it's necessary. I'll be a no, and I urge a no vote.
Representative Wilt. Thank you, Madam Chair. And since we talked about the definition, the previous speaker, I am going to move L13 to Senate Bill 16 and ask that it be displayed.
One moment. Thank you.
amendment L 0 1 3 is displayed to the amendment representative woke thank you so what this amendment will do is narrow the definition to visible and one millimeter to match detection limits avoiding enforcement hurdles from unreliable tech and missing standards it will target eye discernible resin pellets aligning with permits banning visible discharges for easier compliance and eliminate zero discharge uncertainty averting penalties under 25-8-609 and safeguarding
businesses and it will remove obstacles for recyclers expanding in Colorado promoting sustainable growth and I urge a yes vote. Representative Lukens. Thank you Madam Chair and thank you to my colleague for bringing this amendment. We are going to ask for a very respectful no vote at this time. Discharging of any pellets of any size is currently illegal under the CWA, unpermitted discharge of a pollutant, and it will remain illegal for each individual facility unless that facility receives explicit authorization from a state agency or from the EPA to discharge some amount of plastics, which has never happened. and we do not believe that this amendment is necessary at this time, so we respectfully ask for a no vote.
Members, the question before us is the adoption of Amendment L013. All those in favor say aye.
Aye.
All those opposed, no.
No.
Amendment L013 is lost. Is there any further discussion on Senate Bill Representative Slaw?
Thank you, Madam Chair. I am opposed to this bill as well. I ask questions, and I've done some homework on this, and as best as I can tell, which I think is pretty good because I've looked pretty deeply in this, there's no historical or anecdotal evidence that this has ever been a problem in Colorado. I recognize that obviously this would be a problem if you lived next to a large river where there was a lot of this and you'd had a history of problems with this. That is not the case here. We already have regulations that deal with this, and this is not something that I think we have issues with here, and it's not something that needs to be controlled in Colorado. Thank you.
Is there any further discussion on Senate Bill 016? Seeing none, the question before us is the adoption of Senate Bill 016. All those in favor say aye.
Aye.
All those opposed, no.
Senate Bill 016 is adopted.
Mr. Sheewell, please read the title of Senate Bill 037.
Senate Bill 37 by Senators Rich and Roberts also representatives Soper and Espinosa concerning allowing local elected judicial officers to set weekend bonds Do you want to go Oh sure Rep Soper Thank you Madam Chair
Move Senate Bill 37.
To the bill. Representative Espinosa.
Thank you, Madam Chair. It's a pleasure to serve with you. It's a pleasure to serve with you. I just want to let you know what this bill is. This bill came out of an issue that we discovered where we adopted a process of having bond hearing officers be able to assist the judicial system and ensure that people who are arrested over the weekend would have an eligibility for bonds. However, as a result of that process, one of the things that was left out was any evaluation of those bond hearing officers. And a couple of judicial districts came to their representatives and asked that we look at this problem and address it. So what Senate Bill 37 does is it now creates a process which allows for input from the prosecutors, the judges, and the public defenders in evaluating bond hearing officers. It's a good bill, and I'd encourage an eye vote.
Representative Soper.
Thank you, Madam Chair. And I agree with everything my co-prime sponsor just said. this was an issue that was brought to my attention by my local DA, and this allows for local input from the local DA, the public defenders, and the judges into this process, and I'd ask for a yes vote.
Is there any further discussion on Senate Bill 37? Seeing none, the question before is the adoption of Senate Bill 37. All those in favor say aye.
Aye.
All those opposed, no.
Senate Bill 37 is adopted. Aye.
Mr. Sheebo, please read the title of House Bill 1253.
House Bill 1253 by Representative Slaw concerning the process for disconnection of property from a statutory municipality.
Representative Slaw, to the bill.
Thank you, Madam Chair. House Bill 1253 addresses the process by which agricultural land can disconnect from a statutory municipality. Under current law, landowners can sometimes seek disconnection through a court process that does not fully account for other local governments that may already be serving that property.
One second, Representative Slaw.
I'm sorry.
You got to move the bill and the committee report.
I move House Bill 1253.
And the committee report.
And the committee report.
To the committee report. We will go into a very, very brief recess. The committee will come back to order. Representative Sloan.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move the committee report.
Move the bill and then move the committee report.
I just request that the committee report be adopted.
Members, the question before us is the adoption of the committee report. All those in favor say aye. All those opposed, no.
The committee report is adopted.
Representative Slaw to the bill.
Thank you, Madam Chair. Sorry about that. So the bill addresses a process by which agricultural land can disconnect from a statutory municipality. Under current law, landowners can sometimes seek disconnection through a court process that does not fully account for other local governments, and that may already be serving that property. This bill clarifies that if a parcel lies within the boundaries of a special district or an urban renewal authority, the court-based disconnection process is not available. Instead, the request must go through the existing municipal ordinance process and include notice to all affected jurisdictions. In short, the bill promotes coordination between municipalities, counties, special districts, and urban renewal authorities, ensuring that decisions about disconnection consider impacts to services, infrastructure, and local fiscal stability. It's a practical local government clarity bill that improves communication and orderly growth. I respectfully ask for the support of House Bill 1253.
Is there any further discussion on House Bill 1253? Seeing none, the question before us is the adoption of House Bill 1253. All those in favor say aye.
Aye.
All those opposed, no.
House Bill 1253 is adopted.
Madam Majority Leader.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move the committee rise and report.
Members, you have heard the motion. Seeing no objection, the committee will rise and report. All right.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. .
The House will come back to order.
Mr. Schiebel, please read the report of the Committee of the Whole. Madam Speaker, your Committee of the Whole begs leave reporters under consideration the following attached bills being the second reading they're often, makes the following recommendations thereon. House bills. 12.52 is amended. 12.53 is amended. Pass on second reading. Order engrossed in place on the calendar for third reading. Final passage in Senate Bills 16 as amended, 37, and 74 as amended, passed on second reading. Order revised and placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage.
Representative English.
Members, you have heard the motion. There are no amendments at the desk. Mr. Schiebel, the motion before us is the adoption of the report of the Committee of the Whole.
Please open the machine and members proceed to vote.
Thank you.
Woodrow excused all with a fine
Please close the machine. With 36 I, 19 no, and 10 excused, the report of the Committee of the Whole is adopted. Announcements and introductions.
Representative Gonzalez. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I request permission to be absent for tomorrow. I am going to get my wisdom teeth extracted. So happy St. Patrick's Day to you all, and I will miss you all.
We're sorry, Representative Gonzalez. So approved.
Madam Majority Leader. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I move to lay over the balance of the calendar until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Seeing no objection, the balance of the calendar will be laid over until tomorrow, March 17.
Madam Majority Leader. Madam Speaker, I move that the House stand in recess until later today.
The House will stand in recess until later today.
Thank you.