H_JUD_2018A 04/19/2018 01:30:57 PM Committee Summary

The committee was called ot order. A quorum was present. Representatives Lee and Willett, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1375, concerning the nonsubstantive revision of statutes in the Colorado Revised Statutes, as amended, and, in connection therewith, amending or repealing obsolete, imperfect, and inoperative law to preserve the legislative intent, effect, and meaning of the law.  Representative Lee explained the effect of the bill, and Representative Willett provided additional input.  No one testified regarding the bill.

Representative Lee explained amendment L.002 (Attachment A).

Representative Lee explained the effect of amendment L.003 (Attachment B).

Representative Lee explained the effect of amendment L.004 (Attachment C).

Representatives Lee and Willett provided closing remarks in support of HB 18-1375.

Representatives Lee and Willett, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-056, concerning monetary amounts in civil actions. Representative Willett provided background on the issues addressed by the bill, and explained the legislation's effect.  Representative Willett also discussed some stakeholder work on amendments. Representative Lee provided additional input on the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the effect of amendments L.008 (Attachment D), L.009 (Attachment E), and L.013 (Attachment F).

Mr. Chris Ryan, representing the Judicial Branch, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Ryan discussed the fee structure at the county court level, and addressed the amendments. Mr. Ryan responded to questions regarding trends in court dockets at the county level, and compensation for county judges. Discussion ensued regarding amendment L.013.  Discussion followed regarding the Judicial Branch's position on the bill.

Representative Lee explained the effect of amendment L.008.

Representative Lee explained the effect of amendment L.009.

Representative Willett explained the effect of amendment L.013.  Discussion ensued regarding the potential to include a reporting requirement in the bill pertaining to county court rules.

Discussion ensued regarding issues associated with the bill. Representatives Lee and Willett provided closing remarks in support of SB 18-056.

Representative Herod, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-166, concerning changing the maximum jail sentence for certain crimes from one year to 364 days.  Representative Herod explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Herod also explained the effect of amendment L.008 (Attachment H).

Ms. Amy Redfern, representing the Colorado Bar Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Redfern discussed the stakeholder process that resulted in the bill. Ms. Redfern responded to questions regarding the sections within the Colorado Bar Association that looked at the bill, and the reasons why a study, as contemplated by the reengrossed version of the bill, is not required. Mr. Jeremy Schupbach, representing the Colorado Bar Association, joined Ms. Redfern in support of the bill. He responded to questions regarding the study. Discussion ensued on this point. Mr. Schupbach responded to questions regarding the position of the Criminal Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association on the bill, and the potential for the bill to streamline the judicial process. Discussion ensued on this point.

Ms. Carrie Thompson, representing the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of SB 18-166. Ms. Thompson discussed the number and types of misdemeanors covered by the bill, and explained how the bill may streamline the judicial process. Ms. Thompson responded to questions regarding how a possible criminal penalty of one year or more may result in deportation of a person lawfully present in the country.

Discussion ensued regarding amendment L.008.

Discussion ensued regarding the merits of SB 18-166. Representative Herod provided closing remarks in support of the bill.

Representative Carver, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-119, concerning false imprisonment of a minor. The committee heard testimony on the bill at its April 5 meeting. Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.011 (Attachment G). Discussion ensued regarding the merits of the amendment.

Various committee members provided their impressions of SB 18-119.  Representative Carver provided closing remarks in support of the bill.