H_JUD_2024A 04/17/2024 03:37:23 PM Committee Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representatives Duran and Weissman, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 24-1437, concerning prohibiting a municipality from using specified payment structures for indigent defense services under certain circumstances. Representative Duran explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Weissman further explained the bill.

Ms. Elizabeth Shaw Gonzales Esq, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Marea Beeman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Conor Gleason, representing Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Casey Krizman, representing Krizman Law, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Krizman responded to questions regarding claims made during his testimony.

Carrie Thompson, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, testified in support of the bill.

Jessica Jones, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Soledad Diaz, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Eve Primus, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Primus responded to questions regarding the level of service provided by attorneys who are paid a flat fee, and ethical considerations. Ms. Primus responded to further questions regarding amounts paid under a flat-fee structure.

Ms. Jessica Campbell-Swanson, representing Arapahoe County, testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Corin Flannigan, representing Colorado Municipal Judges Association, testified to amend the bill.

Rebecca Wallace, representing Colorado Freedom Fund, testified in support of the bill.

Catherine Ordonez, representing American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Krystal Dawson, representing The Arc of Aurora, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Jonathan Jourdane, representing Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Wallace responded to questions regarding to questions regarding the difference between a flat-fee structure for attorneys as compared to a salary, and the quality of work performed by those being paid a flat fee.

Roshan Kalantar, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Weissman explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

Representative Weissman explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment B). Representative Weissman responded to questions regarding the definition of "flat fee" in the amendment.

Representatives Weissman and Duran provided closing remarks in support of HB 24-1437. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.

Representatives Brown and Lindsay, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-131, concerning prohibiting carrying a firearm in sensitive spaces recognized by the United States Supreme Court as places at which longstanding laws prohibited carrying firearms. Representative Brown explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Lindsay provided additional input on the merits of the legislation.  Public comment on SB 24-131 may be found at Attachment C.

Representatives Brown and Lindsay responded to questions regarding criminal intent, and the use of guns for self-defense. Discussion ensued regarding firearms restrictions on college campuses, and "hard targets" versus "soft targets." Representative Brown responded to questions regarding the scope of the bill, and Colorado crime statistics associated with firearms. Discussion followed regarding firearms statistics nationwide.

Emily Engelhaupt, representing Giffords Gun Owners for Safety, testified in support of the bill.

Allison Anderman, representing (1) Giffords Law Center (2) Brennan Center for Justice, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Carl Hamm, representing Colorado Ceasefire, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Andrew Lucas, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Ian Escalante, representing Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Brandon Haegele, representing themself, testified on the bill from a neutral position. Mr. Tyler Peters, representing Patriot Rebellion, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Escalante and Mr. Lucas responded to questions regarding statistics cited during earlier discussion.

Hayley Crist, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Ashley Martinez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Maya Essmeier, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Patrice Schnierle, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Benjamin Short, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Antonio Cisneros, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Brother Grimes, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Travis Couture-Lovelady, representing National Rifle Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dr. Arlene Bjugstad, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Janet Feder, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Yvonne Wu, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Haleh Abghari, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding the firearms policy at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Dr. Wu responded to questions regarding the likelihood that a criminal will obey the restrictions of SB 24-131. Ms. Feder responded to questions regarding the intent element in the bill.

Ms. Lydia Waligorski, representing Clayton Early Learning, testified to amend the bill.

Keith Emerson, representing themself, testified to amend the bill.

Ms. Courtney Moore, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Hope Scheppelman, representing Colorado Republican Party, testified in opposition to SB 24-131.

Ms. Waligorski responded to questions regarding the potential for clarifying certain language in the bill. Mr. Emerson responded to questions regarding additional suggestions for amending the bill.

Brylan Graber, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Gianna Guido, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Camden Sharkey, representing CUSG, testified in support of the bill.

Chase Cromwell, representing University of Colorado Boulder Student Government, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Cromwell responded to questions regarding claims made during his testimony. Ms. Guido responded to questions regarding the use of firearms by women for self-protection. Discussion ensued regarding the use of firearms for self-protection generally.

Alexander Cisneros, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Eleanor Coates, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding active-shooter drills in high schools, and the perception of safety.

Ms. Ahilya George, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Julie Ort, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Kathy Hagen, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Hagen responded to questions regarding statistics she cited during her testimony, and the use of guns for suicide.

Ms. Jane Dougherty, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Kelly Murphy, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Pat Rottschaefer, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Christie Burton, representing Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence, testified in support of the bill.

Ashley Stolzmann, representing Boulder County, testified in support of the bill.

No amendments were offered to SB 24-131. Representatives Lindsay and Brown provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.