H_JUD_2023A 02/21/2023 01:33:59 PM Committee Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representatives Lindsay and Amabile, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1133, concerning the cost of communications services for persons in custody. Representative Lindsay explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need.  Representative Amabile provided further input on the merits of the legislation. Discussion ensued regarding data on recidivism rates in Colorado.

Jamie Ray, representing the Second Chance Center, testified in support of HB 23-1133.

Kayla Frawley, representing ProgressNow Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ealasha Vaughner, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Bianca Tylek, representing Worth Rises, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding opportunities that arise via telephone, such as reentry programming, for those who are incarcerated. Ms. Tylek responded to questions regarding laws in other states similar to the proposal in HB 23-1133, and the results of the policy in these states. Ms. Tylek responded to further questions regarding profit realized by telecommunications companies that provide service to incarcerated offenders.

Natalie Perez, representing Stand for Children, testified in support of HB 23-1133.

Annie Terry, representing the Second Chance Center, testified in support of the bill.

Mx. Indra Lusero, representing Elephant Circle, testified in support of the bill. Mx. Lusero responded to questions regarding the potential for creating means testing for the program created by the bill.

Luna Bejaran, representing the Stand for Children, testified in support of HB 23-1133. Lauren Smith, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in support of the bill. Ebony White, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Janelle Jenkins, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Yvonne Franklin, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. George Davis, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. MJ Coleman Jackson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mrs. Sharon Battle, representing Together Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee returned to order. No amendments were offered to HB 23-1133. Representatives Lindsay and Amabile provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.

Representative DeGruy Kennedy, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1167, concerning persons who report emergency overdose events in good faith. Representative DeGruy Kennedy explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative DeGruy Kennedy responded to questions regarding the inclusion of those who manufacture synthetic opiates within the scope of the bill.

Ms. Lisa Raville, representing Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of HB 23-1167.

Aubrey Wilde, representing Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, testified in support of the bill.

Tessa Torgeson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Lauren Snyder, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Bryon Adinoff, representing Colorado Psychiatric Society, testified in support of the bill.

Jose Esquibel, representing the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding trends in overdoses and how they are impacted by recent legislation, including in other states that have passed laws concerning synthetic opioids. Discussion followed regarding harm reduction strategies.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann, representing herself, testified in support of HB 23-1167. Ms. McCann responded to questions regarding the scope of the bill including manufacturing and distribution, and the ability of her office to bring charges under the bill.

Coreen Braden, representing Arapahoe County Young People in Recovery, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Joshua Barocas, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Matt Pagnotti, representing Vivent Health, testified in support of the bill.

Dave Wasserman, representing Conscious Consulting, testified on HB 23-1167 from an "amend" position. Chief Gregory Sadar, representing Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police and the Commerce City Police Department, testified on the bill from an "amend" position. Chief Sadar responded to questions regarding incentivizing people to take opioids through state law versus the fear of being arrested for reporting an overdose, and critical thought during an emergency event. Discussion ensued regarding expanding the scope of the bill to include probationers.

Ms. Jessie Broom, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Shannon Bucci, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Sullivan, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Betsy Craft, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Bryan Rose, representing Law Enforcement Action Partnership, testified in support of the bill.

Miriam Ordonez Rodriguez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Jennifer Dillon, representing Swing By Street Supply Mutual Aid, testified in support of the bill.

Eva Frickle, representing JeffcoCan, West Metro Resistance, Indivisible CD7, Indivisible Front Range Resistance, testified in support of the bill.

Mz. Maggie Seldeen, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Representative DeGruy Kennedy explained the effect of amendment L.004 (Attachment B). Representative DeGruy Kennedy responded to questions about the scope of recent legislation concerning good samaritan laws, and including drug manufacturers within the scope of HB 23-1167. Discussion ensued regarding a potential fact pattern that might play out under the amendment.

Discussion ensued regarding the merits of amendment L.001 (Attachment C).

Representative DeGruy Kennedy providing closing remarks in support of HB 23-1167. Representatives Armagost, Soper, and Weissman provided their positions on the bill.  Written input from the public concerning the bills heard on February 21 may be found in Attachment D.