C39C5EF218A38E2887258C58006C7129 Hearing Summary

Representatives Bacon
and Clifford, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1031. The bill creates
a private right of action for a peace officer against an employer who retaliates
against them for whistleblowing. Representative Bacon explained the effect
of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Clifford discussed the
merits of the bill, and the stakeholding process. Representatives Bacon
and Clifford read some testimony. Representative Bacon responded to questions
regarding affirmative defense, and certain processes established by the
bill. Discussion ensued regarding the relationship of HB 25-1031 with other
pieces of legislation introduced to address whistleblower protections,
and some forthcoming amendments. Discussion followed regarding damages
awarded under the bill,

02:33:37 PM

Mr. Sean McCauley, representing the Colorado State FOP, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Frank Gale, representing the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Ellen Buckley, representing the Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, testified in support of the bill. Elizabeth Newman, representing the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding the stakeholding process for HB 25-1031, and affirmative defense language in the bill. Discussion followed regarding damages provisions in the bill.

02:56:56 PM

Jeremy Schupbach,
representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified to amend the bill.
Chief Newbanks, representing the Colorado Association of the Chiefs of
Police, testified to amend the bill. Deputy Chief Reeves, representing
the Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police, testified to amend the
bill. Chief Baird, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police,
testified to amend the bill. Discussion ensued regarding forthcoming amendments
to HB 25-1031.

03:11:44 PM

Ms. Melanie Lewis,
representing County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified on HB 25-1031 from
an amend position. Dawn Johnson, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado,
testified to amend the bill. Ms. Johnson responded to questions regarding
the ability to continue investigations under the bill.

03:11:45 PM

Written testimony may be found in Attachment C.

03:24:23 PM

Representative Bacon
explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment D).

03:24:48 PM	Motion	Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment D)
	Moved	Bacon
	Seconded	Clifford

	Armagost
	Bacon
	Caldwell
	Clifford
	Espenoza
	Garcia
	Keltie
	Soper
	Zokaie
	Carter
	Mabrey
		YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:25:29 PM	Motion	Adopt amendment L.006 (Attachment E)
	Moved	Bacon
	Seconded	Clifford

	Armagost
	Bacon
	Caldwell
	Clifford
	Espenoza
	Garcia
	Keltie
	Soper
	Zokaie
	Carter
	Mabrey
		YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:26:21 PM	Motion	Adopt amendment L.009 (Attachment F)
	Moved	Bacon
	Seconded	Clifford

	Armagost
	Bacon
	Caldwell
	Clifford
	Espenoza
	Garcia
	Keltie
	Soper
	Zokaie
	Carter
	Mabrey
		YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:26:22 PM

Representative Bacon
explained the effect of amendment L.014 (Attachment G).

03:27:31 PM	Motion	Adopt amendment L.014 (Attachment G)
	Moved	Bacon
	Seconded	Clifford

	Armagost
	Bacon
	Caldwell
	Clifford
	Espenoza
	Garcia
	Keltie
	Soper
	Zokaie
	Carter
	Mabrey
		YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:28:02 PM

Representative Bacon
explained the effect of amendment L.015 (Attachment H).

03:28:41 PM	Motion	Adopt amendment L.015 (Attachment H)
	Moved	Bacon
	Seconded	Clifford

	Armagost
	Bacon
	Caldwell
	Clifford
	Espenoza
	Garcia
	Keltie
	Soper
	Zokaie
	Carter
	Mabrey
		YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:28:43 PM

Representative Bacon
explained the effect of amendment L.016 (Attachment I).

03:31:22 PM	Motion	Adopt amendment L.016 (Attachment I)
	Moved	Bacon
	Seconded	Clifford

	Armagost
	Bacon
	Caldwell
	Clifford
	Espenoza
	Garcia
	Keltie
	Soper
	Zokaie
	Carter
	Mabrey
		YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:31:24 PM

Representative Bacon
explained the effect of amendment L.007 (Attachment J). Discussion
ensued regarding harmonizing various amendments.

03:44:05 PM	Motion	Adopt amendment L.007 (Attachment J)
	Moved	Bacon
	Seconded	Carter

	Armagost
	Bacon
	Caldwell
	Clifford
	Espenoza
	Garcia
	Keltie
	Soper
	Zokaie
	Carter
	Mabrey
		YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:44:27 PM

Representative Bacon
explained the effect of amendments L.012 (Attachment K) and L.018 (Attachment
L).

03:45:22 PM	Motion	Adopt amendment L.018 (Attachment L)
	Moved	Bacon
	Seconded	Carter

	Armagost
	Bacon
	Caldwell
	Clifford
	Espenoza
	Garcia
	Keltie
	Soper
	Zokaie
	Carter
	Mabrey
		YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:48:50 PM	Motion	Adopt amendment L.012 (Attachment K)
	Moved	Bacon
	Seconded	Garcia

	Armagost
	Bacon
	Caldwell
	Clifford
	Espenoza
	Garcia
	Keltie
	Soper
	Zokaie
	Carter
	Mabrey
		YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

03:48:52 PM

Representatives Clifford
and Bacon provided closing remarks in support of HB 25-1031. Various committee
members provided their positions on the bill.

04:09:12 PM	Motion	Refer House Bill 25-1031, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
	Moved	Clifford
	Seconded	Carter

	Armagost	No
	Bacon	Yes
	Caldwell	No
	Clifford	Yes
	Espenoza	Yes
	Garcia	Yes
	Keltie	Yes
	Soper	Yes
	Zokaie	Yes
	Carter	Yes
	Mabrey	Yes
	Final	YES: 9 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

HB25-1031 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole

Colorado General Assembly