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H_JUD_2024A 03/26/2024 01:38:46 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date 03/26/2024
Attendance
Amabile X
Armagost X
Evans X
Garcia *
Herod X
Mabrey X
Snyder X
Soper *
Woodrow *
Bacon X
Weissman X
Time 01:38:46 PM to 06:09:25 PM
Place HCR 0107
This Meeting was called to order by Weissman
This Report was prepared by Bo Pogue
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB24-1350 Amended, referred to House Appropriations
HB24-1374 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
HB24-1355 Amended, referred to House Appropriations
HB24-1135 Amended, referred to House Finance

HB24-1350 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations


01:38:56 PM  
The committee was
called to order. A quorum was present. Representatives Froelich and Story,
prime sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1350, concerning standards related
to court proceedings for allocation of parental responsibilities to keep
children safe. The committee heard testimony on the bill at its March 19
meeting. Representative Froelich explained the effect of amendment L.006
(Attachment A), a strike-below amendment. Both prime sponsors discussed
the stakeholder process on the amendment.


01:43:42 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.006
Moved Bacon
Seconded Amabile
Amabile
Armagost
Evans
Garcia
Herod
Mabrey
Snyder
Soper Excused
Woodrow Excused
Bacon
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
01:43:43 PM  
Representatives Froelich and Story provided closing remarks in support of HB 24-1350.


01:46:35 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 24-1350, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Bacon
Seconded Garcia
Amabile Yes
Armagost No
Evans No
Garcia Yes
Herod Yes
Mabrey Yes
Snyder Yes
Soper Excused
Woodrow Excused
Bacon Yes
Weissman Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 2   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1374 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole


01:46:45 PM  
Representatives Marvin
and Rutinel, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1374, concerning means
of ensuring that independent contractors who perform legal services on
behalf of independent judicial agencies are eligible for the federal public
service loan forgiveness program.  Representative Rutinel explained
the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Marvin provided
additional input on the bill.  Representative Rutinel responded to
questions regarding how the student loan forgiveness benefits are allotted
for those who work for multiple agencies, or work for an agency along with
a private employer. Representative Rutinel responded to further questions
regarding how the bill impacts contract work, and means testing under the
bill.   Public comment on HB 24-1374 may be found at Attachment B.

01:55:20 PM  
Ms. Ashley Cordero,
representing herself, testified in support of the bill.




Ms. Lindsey Sandoval,
representing Alternate Defense Counsel, testified in support of the bill.




Ms. Katie Hecker,
representing Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support
of the bill.




Ms. Catharine
Armstrong, representing Office of Alternate Defense Counsel and Office
of Respondent Parent Counsel, testified in support of the bill.




Ms. Mirela Omeragic,
representing herself, testified in support of the bill.




Melanie Jordan,
representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified in support
of the bill.




Ms. Hecker and
Ms. Cordero responded to questions regarding why the agencies for which
they work hire contractors instead of full-time employees.  Ms. Armstrong
responded to questions regarding her student loan debt burden.  Ms.
Jordan provided input on the contractor versus employee issue.  Discussion
ensued regarding the retroactivity of the bill, and the ability to move
from public to private sector and back and still be eligible for the bill's
programming.  Discussion ensued regarding how an agency qualifies
to participate in HB 24-1374
02:25:01 PM  
No amendments were offered to HB 24-1374. Representative Rutinel responded to questions that arose during testimony. Representatives Rutinel and Marvin provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.


02:37:56 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 24-1374 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Bacon
Seconded Snyder
Amabile Yes
Armagost No
Evans No
Garcia Yes
Herod Yes
Mabrey Yes
Snyder Yes
Soper Yes
Woodrow Yes
Bacon Yes
Weissman Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1355 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations


02:38:14 PM  
Representatives Mabrey
and Amabile, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1355, concerning reducing
the competency wait list, and, in connection therewith, creating a wraparound
care program. Representative Mabrey explained the effect of the bill and
discussed its need. Representative Amabile further discussed the need for
the bill. Representative Mabrey returned to discussing the effect of the
bill. Discussion ensued regarding amendment L.002 (Attachment C), and who
makes referrals under the amendment.  Public comment on HB 24-1355
may be found at Attachment D.
03:01:29 PM  
Maureen Cain, representing
OSPD, testified in support of the bill.




Ms. Kim Chalmers,
representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the
bill.




Casey Coons, representing
himself, testified in support of the bill.




Jack Johnson,
representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of HB 24-1355.




Mr. Johnson responded
to questions regarding statutory limitations on how long a person can be
held in county jail awaiting competency services.  Ms. Cain responded
to questions regarding the number of people awaiting competency restoration
services by crime type.  Discussion returned to the length of time
a person might be held awaiting competency services.  Ms. Cain responded
to questions regarding the demographics of those participating in competency
services programs.  Discussion returned to the types of crimes that
have been committed by the population impacted by the bill.  Ms. Cain
responded to questions regarding the bill's referral process.
03:26:45 PM  
Mr. James Karbach,
representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the
bill.




Ms. Becca Butler-Dines,
representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the
bill.




Ms. Jennifer Turner,
representing Bridges of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.




Ms. Misty Pankratz,
representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.




Ms. Turner discussed
some demographic data associated with the programming administered by Bridges
of Colorado.  Ms. Pinkratz responded to questions regarding the issues
she related to the committee.  Mr. Karbach responded to questions
regarding record-sealing, and jurisprudence associated with pretrial detention
and competency services.
03:50:29 PM  
Ms. Kristen Ham,
representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the
bill. Ms. Jamie Keairns, representing Colorado State Public Defender's
Office, testified in support of the bill. Brian Johnson, representing OSPD,
testified in support of the bill. Todd Pomeroy, representing himself, testified
in support of HB 24-1355.  Lauren Snyder, representing Mental Health
Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Discussion ensued regarding
techniques for ensuring that those with mental health issues do not become
involved in the justice system.
04:04:01 PM  
Sandra Sharp, representing
herself, testified in support of the bill. Lauren Snyder, representing
Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Beth McCann,
representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Patricia Tobias,
representing National Centers for State Courts, testified in support of
the bill. Discussion ensued regarding personnel in the justice system with
professional mental health backgrounds, and treatment resistance in terms
of competency services. D.A. McCann responded to questions regarding certain
language in HB 24-1355.
04:26:25 PM  
Ms. Ariana Burnette,
representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the
bill. Ms. Rebecca Wallace, representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified
in support of the bill. Mr. Brad Turner, representing Colorado District
Attorneys' Council, testified to amend the bill.
04:36:31 PM  
Anaya Robinson, representing
ACLU of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.




Ms. Cinnamon Dykes,
representing Bridges of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.




Jagruti Shah,
representing the Department of Human Services, responded to questions regarding
the competency services provided by the department, and the length of time
for a competency restoration.  Ms. Shah responded to further questions
regarding how HB 24-1355 would impact the department's operations.
04:49:14 PM  
Mr. Carl Anderson, representing Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, testified in support of the bill.
04:52:34 PM  
Discussion ensued regarding amendment L.002.


04:53:06 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.002
Moved Amabile
Seconded Mabrey
Amabile
Armagost
Evans
Garcia
Herod
Mabrey
Snyder
Soper
Woodrow
Bacon
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:53:08 PM  
Representatives Amabile and Mabrey provided closing remarks in support of HB 24-1355. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.


05:18:37 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 24-1355, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Amabile
Seconded Mabrey
Amabile Yes
Armagost Yes
Evans Yes
Garcia Yes
Herod Yes
Mabrey Yes
Snyder Yes
Soper Yes
Woodrow Yes
Bacon Yes
Weissman Yes
Final YES: 11   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB24-1135 - Amended, referred to House Finance


05:18:46 PM  
Representatives Soper
and Snyder, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1135, concerning offenses
related to requirements for operating a vehicle. The committee heard testimony
on the bill at its February 27 meeting. Representative Soper explained
the effect of amendment L.004 (Attachment E).


05:28:34 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.004
Moved Soper
Seconded Snyder
Amabile
Armagost
Evans
Garcia
Herod
Mabrey
Snyder
Soper
Woodrow
Bacon
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
05:30:15 PM  
The committee discussed
amendment L.003 (Attachment F).
05:32:55 PM  
Representatives Snyder and Soper provided closing remarks in support of HB 24-1135. Discussion ensued regarding the effect of the bill as amended. Conrad Imel, Office of Legislative Legal Services, provided input on the issue. Discussion followed regarding past recodifications of criminal law.


06:09:03 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 24-1135, as amended, to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Soper
Seconded Snyder
Amabile Yes
Armagost Yes
Evans Yes
Garcia Yes
Herod No
Mabrey Yes
Snyder Yes
Soper Yes
Woodrow Yes
Bacon No
Weissman Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


06:09:25 PM   The committee adjourned.