June 2, 2026 · 3,543 words · 15 speakers · 84 segments
. Thank you. Thank you.
The executive committee of the Legislative Council will come to order.
Ms. Kurtz-Falen, please call the roll. Senators and representatives. Caldwell?
Here.
Duran?
Here.
Rodriguez?
Here.
He said here, but he must have got it.
Here.
There he is.
Mr. President?
Let's do this.
Madam Speaker. Here. We do have a quorum. Good morning, everyone. It's so good to be back in the building.
Yeah.
We have quite a full agenda today. We're going to speak very briefly and probably postpone our initial item, policy for reimbursement of legislator personal security expenses. We'll speak about that in just a moment. We also have review and approval of our legislative aid policy for next year, review of our aid badge pilot program, legislative service agency and director performance evaluations will round out the day, and of course any other business that the executive committee wants to cover. So, Director Castle, let us speak briefly about the NCSL Security Fund Grant and kind of where we are for the moment.
Director Castle. Thank you so much, Madam Chair, Natalie Castle and Legislative Council staff. As you know the Colorado General Assembly has put together an application for the NCSL program that allocates some money for security purposes to state legislatures Along with that I know that many people on your teams and Elizabeth Berger and Jennifer Berman who are sitting behind me here have worked on a policy that you would adopt to designate how legislators can request funding from the grant that Colorado is awarded and what that can be, what kind of things can be reimbursed out of that grant. That was what was on the agenda for you today. Prior to doing that, we submitted a request for a letter ruling to the Independent Ethics Commission to make sure that when legislators seek reimbursement for expenses under that grant, that's not a violation of the constitutional gift ban. We met with the, we appeared before Deputy Director Elizabeth Berger, Assistant Director Jennifer Berman of the Office of Legislative Legal Services, and I appeared before the Independence Ethics Commission on May 19th to request that letter of ruling, and we have not received the letter of ruling from the Independence Ethics Commission yet, which is reasonable. It's only been a few weeks, but we think that it's important to know what that letter ruling says before we bring that policy to you. We don't think the policy is final until we see what that letter ruling says, and so that's why I've requested that the speaker table this agenda item for today. Any questions, members?
Thank you, Director Castle. We'll look forward to bring that up at a meeting near us in the future. Great. Next on the agenda is our legislative aid policy. Director Castle, I think this is you again.
Yes, it is. Thank you, Madam Chair, for the record again. Natalie Castle, legislative council staff, and I bring before you the legislative aid policy for fiscal year 26 to 27. This policy is before you, pursuant to joint rule 39 that states that the executive committee shall establish policies governing the employment of AIDS. It is updated annually to reflect decisions that the committee made and incorporated into the legislative budget each year. So specifically, you decided that 1,800 hours be allocated to each district for the fiscal year and that wages will increase by 1.0% from $25.34 per hour to $25.59 per hour. The policy for next year basically continues policies that you had already included in prior year's policies. The only change from fiscal year 25 to 26 to next year, fiscal year 26 to 27, reflects that there's an election in fiscal year 26 to 27 this coming November and therefore you We need to manage turnover when one legislator leaves and another one comes in in that same district. We have incorporated into the policy before you the methodology that we used to manage that turnover two years ago for the November 2025 election. I can talk a little more about that if you have questions about it, but other than that, the policy is the same as it was this year.
Members, any questions?
excellent mr. president thank you madam speaker I move to approve the fiscal year
2627 legislative aid policy as presented by staff second thank you
majority leader Duran this grits failing please pull the committee senators and Representatives Caldwell Yes Duran Yes Rodriguez Aye Simpson
Aye.
Mr. President? Aye.
Madam Speaker? Yes. That passes unanimously 6-0. Nicely done, team. Excellent work.
Yeah.
Oh, Director Castle.
Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair and Madam Chair. There is a hard copy of that policy right there for you to sign. And once you all sign that, I will PDF it and send it to Leader Simpson for his signature as well electronically. Thank you so much.
Next on our agenda is a review of the aid badge pilot program. Members, I think we can speak first about the aid program. There may be a desire to go into executive session should we want to speak about security measures regarding the badge pilot program, but that is an option at this point. I think I'd appreciate any feedback from committee as to whether or not you feel that is necessary. I think based on discussion or questions, where you're all at with the program. That would dictate whether or not we need to go into executive session.
Madam Majority Leader, thank you.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
I don't think at this time, I don't feel we need to go into executive session.
Okay? So.
I would just have a question if there has been security issues. So I don't know if the answer is yes. I don't know if that precipitates that we need to or not.
It's a great question, and it probably does. We have a motion available that would allow us to go into executive session, maybe out of an abundance of caution. We'll do that, Mr. Minority Leader, and then not be concerned about anything we discuss related to security.
So, Mr. President.
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Pursuitous section 2464023A4, CRS, I move that Executive Committee of the Legislative Council go into executive session to discuss specialized details of security arrangements related to security matters and access to voters in the state capital complex.
Second. Excellent. That motion was appropriately moved and seconded by the Majority Leader, Ms. Kurtz-Valen,
please call the roll. Senators and Representatives, Caldwell.
Yes.
Duran? Yes. Rodriguez? Aye. Simpson? Aye. Pullman? Aye. Madam Speaker? Yes. That passes unanimously.
Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you and are now returning to our public session. We were in executive session for a discussion of security on aid badges, the aid badge pilot program, I should clarify. So I want to open the floor to any discussion about the aid badge pilot program not related to security. I do want to offer, before I get to you, Mr. Minority Leader, that we conducted a quick survey. Not all elected members or aides participated. We did get 72 total responses, 25 members, 47 aides, 20 members from the House, 5 from the Senate, 36 aides from the House, 11 from the Senate. All of those, all 72 individuals responded that they hope the aid badge program continues. There was positive feedback. The additional feedback we received was a request for additional access to the House kitchen. I don't think there was any requests on the Senate side, but House kitchen. That may have been coming from Mr. President. And then also access to the member suites down on the ground floor, because the badges currently do not provide access to the suites. So I wanted to share that information. Any other comments about the program, Mr. Minority Leader?
Thank you, Madam Speaker. So I know one of the comments made initially when we were discussing the pilot program was workload or how long it takes per badge and background check to get it made for each aid, and I think it was estimated anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more. And I guess I was just curious about, has that been an issue workload-wise? Because I think we said we had around 90 badges, which is not everyone getting the badge, but I'm just curious.
Madam Chief Clerk and then Madam Secretary.
Thank you. It's not been an issue for my team. I would say we're able to process the badge paperwork and input the information in about five to ten minutes. There's a little delay then, you know, when we're waiting for the background check to come back and then putting the information into the spreadsheet for DPA, and then there's a little bit of a delay before people can go pick up their badge, but we've been able to incorporate it into our workflow.
Madam Secretary.
Madam Speaker, thank you for your question. I was very concerned about workload impacts, and I have to say that with the partnership of EPA and CSP and the creation of the process that we put in place, which I would hope would continue, that has minimized the workload impact. And the reason that I say that I would hope it would continue with the spreadsheet that that we have currently, which is a not perfect, but wonderful solution to that workload impact is We do see turnover increase as we get closer to sessions starting particularly in election years. And so to the extent that that process can stay in place, that will certainly help alleviate my concerns with the workload impact.
Mr. Minority Leader. Thank you, Madam Speaker. A couple of thoughts. One, again, I wish I had a deeper appreciation for the utilization of the program. And I don't know the one. I don't think we have a written procedure or maybe we do or policy how badges are issued. Are they at the request of any any aid or we do both senior and junior aides? I would much rather if we were going to continue this program, I would much rather see this be at the request of the legislator. Look, it's difficult for me in this day and age to just, again, open up the facility to almost 100 more people. It's just troubling for me to understand the driving need and necessity to do that. and what risks do we assume and what are the benefits of, again, issuing badges to, I guess, every aid that requested them. We did about 90 of them. So, again, I don't know the process and would think we should develop at least a written procedure or manual or something in that space if we don't already have one.
Madam Chief Clerk.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. And just to clarify, Mr. Minority Leader, we had about 90 House aides receive badges. I think we had about 20% of the House aides not receive badges, not request badges. Certainly, if it's the committee's preference, I'd be comfortable adding. We've had a pilot program policy document. I'd be comfortable adding a requirement of a member signature. to that document and then only the aides whose members approve would receive badges you know without knowing how many folks that's going to be in advance but yeah I'd be comfortable with that if the secretary is as well. Madam
Secretary? Thank You Madam Speaker that that would be fine with me if that's the preferences of the committee and I just to say out loud I think it's great to revamp the pilot program policy that we had in place and make sure that that's distributed out to everybody provided we take account with the decision is today
great madam speaker yes mr. minority yeah I if I've been if I've had that
thing mailed to me I don't remember seeing even the pilot program procedure if that's what we're gonna call it or the outline I would love to see that as
soon as possible as well Mr. Minority Leader we will get that out thank you feedback I guess are we comfortable moving forward with the program as is with with this additional change and then sharing the policy I see a nodding head not a majority leader thank you madam Speaker Yes I think regarding the policy adding in the signature of the member on there I
think is really important. So I'd be supportive of that in there and then anything else we might think of moving forward. I think if we're talking about more access, I think that entails more discussion and conversation other than what we're here to do today. But yeah, I would support that.
I might recommend that we continue the conversation about additional access. Certainly LSB, I really appreciate that, Director Harper,
and I think aides that are in and out of that building, we should consider what to do for next session, make sure we figure that out. And then the request around access to the suites downstairs,
that has been an ongoing conversation for the Executive Committee. I think we can bundle that up together as we consider next steps there. Director Harper.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Craig Harper, JBC staff. I think the one thing that I would raise is for my own, for the JBC staff purposes, I think having the member request it would be helpful. And the other piece that the Executive Committee and the JBC members will want to consider is I'm sort of isolated over there. I'm not as familiar with the security inside the building, but it's basically a suite setup. They would have access not only to the nonpartisan staff side, but also to all six member offices or behind one door. So I think there's discussions well beyond the staff level that would want to happen there, because there's the nonpartisan side, which is obviously a lot of you've concerned, that then it is, if there's policy reasons behind the suite decision one way or the other, I think it would probably apply in my spot as well.
Appreciate that. Good consideration. Madam Secretary.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. With respect to the desire to have access to those suite doors on the ground floor, there is going to be a financial impact to that. that needs to be considered among the entire executive committee that there is definitely a cost associated with that. Thank you. Mr. Minority Leader. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I'm still not
comfortable with the policy. I would love to have a better understanding of the utilization before I would be supportive of it if we've issued the House issued 90 and the Senate did so many, Like I again curious to know how often it was necessary or used to access the building in the off hours. So I'm still not supportive of the policy.
I really appreciate that, Mr. Minority Leader. We could table and not approve this to continue. I am concerned about aides accessing the building between now and whatever events may be going on this summer. I realize we don't have interim committees, but I do know that members are using their offices here. I don't think we meet again until September. Am I right, Director Castle?
She's nodding her head, so yes. So this would be deactivating badges if we don't approve
today because the pilot program has ended at this moment I not sure that I would like to see access continue with these changes as we discussed Am I understanding you correctly Mr Minority Leader you prefer that the program stop at this point
Yes, that's my position. Yes, ma'am.
Okay. Any other discussion? Madam Majority Leader.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. Just a quick question. can we extend the pilot program until September to allow us time to collect the data, look at everything, and then determine in September?
I love that suggestion. Any other feedback? Madam Chief Clerk.
Thank you, Madam Speaker. If you were to continue the pilot essentially as is, would you still like us to add in the member signature to the form for any new aides? And for any aides who work for more than one member, is a single member's signature sufficient, or do they need to get approval from both members? Great question.
We're so good at complicating things, aren't we? I guess I would say standing that up and getting a signature at this point, maybe ultimately we try to get two, but at least one. I would offer Mr. Minority Leader this feels like a thoughtful way to proceed. I want to reemphasize the survey that we did with our members, 72 people feeling this needs to continue and supportive of what we've done. So I'd love to continue as is with these modifications and continue the discussion, certainly about additional access come September if everyone is comfortable with that.
Mr. President? Would the modified motion be moved to extend the pilot program authorizing security baggage for legislative aid so allow ongoing access to the Capitol building and to authorize access to legislative services, building to aid, working for a member of a joint budget committee? Would there also be...
Is that a question?
I am asking. That's why I'm asking. And is there anything regarding member signatures for new aides that we need to add to this motion?
I think the extension of the pilot program is right, and any new aides will get signed off by their member for reevaluation with additional data at Mr. Minority Leader's request come September, and consideration in September about additional access. For now, it's just an extension of the pilot program. I move to extend the pilot program for security badges for legislative aids to allow ongoing access to the Capitol building effective immediately. Is that right? I think we're good. Okay, second. And that has been properly seconded by Madam Majority Leader. I know y'all set me up.
Ms. Kurtz-Falen, please pull the committee. Senators and Representatives, Caldwell? Duran?
Yes. Rodriguez Simpson reluctantly yes yes yes thank you members that was a robust
discussion no doubt the first of many next up we have our legislative service agency and director performance evaluations I believe Director Fitzsimons Thank you. Members, this is facilitated by Director Fitzsimons, and this takes place in executive session, so in a moment, I will ask Mr. President to make that motion. Great. Mr. President.
As a request of each of the legislative service agency directors, I move the executive committee legislative council go on executive session to consider personnel matters pursuant to section 2464023BICRS. Second.
That has been properly moved and seconded by Madam Majority Leader, Ms. Kurtz-Valen,
please pull the committee. Senators and Representatives. Caldwell? Yes. Duran? Yes, that passes unanimously.
We will now proceed into executive session. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Thank you. Thank you. We have now adjourned our executive session. We are back in public session. Seeing no other business. Any other business members? The executive committee of the legislative council is adjourned. Thank you.