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H_JUD_2025A 03/04/2025 11:34:53 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date 03/04/2025
Attendance
Armagost X
Bacon *
Clifford X
DeGraaf X
Espenoza *
Garcia X
Keltie *
Soper *
Zokaie *
Carter X
Mabrey X
Time 11:34:53 AM to 09:43:32 PM
Place HCR 0107
This Meeting was called to order by Mabrey
This Report was prepared by Bo Pogue
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB25-1185 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB25-024 Referred to House Appropriations
HB25-1255 Postponed Indefinitely
HB25-1212 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
HB25-1067 Committee Discussion Only

HB25-1185 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole
11:35:07 AM  
The committee was
called to order. A quorum was present. Representatives Froelich and Willford,
prime sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1185. The bill outlines procedures
and removes certain procedural requirements for a parent to relinquish
a child conceived as a result of a sexual assault. Representative Froelich
explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative
Willford provided further input on the merits of the legislation.
11:41:10 AM  
Ms. Onnastasia Cole,
representing Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA), testified
in support of the bill. Elizabeth Newman, representing Colorado Coalition
Against Sexual Assault, testified in support of the bill. Amber Higgins,
representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill.
Melanie Jordan, representing Office of Respondent Parents' Counsel, testified
in support of the bill. Courtney Sutton, representing Colorado Organization
for Victim Assistance, testified in support of the bill. Jennifer Eyl,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.




Discussion ensued regarding potential self-incrimination under HB 25-1185,
and certain time limits in the bill. Discussion turned to mother-child
bonding.
12:28:49 PM  
Thomas Perille, representing Democrats for Life of Colorado, testified on HB 25-1185.
12:30:55 PM  
No amendments were
offered to HB 25-1185. Representatives Froelich and Willford provided closing
remarks in support of the bill. Representative Bacon weighed in on the
legislation.


12:36:27 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1185 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Carter
Seconded Garcia
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Clifford Yes
DeGraaf Yes
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie Yes
Soper Yes
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 10   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB25-024 - Referred to House Appropriations
12:36:41 PM  
Representatives Soper
and Carter, prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 25-024. The bill increases
the number of district and county judges by 15 judges over two years. Representative
Soper explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative
Carter also spoke on the bill.
12:41:36 PM  
Mr. Terry Scanlon, representing Colorado courts, testified in support of the bill.
12:45:40 PM  
No amendments were offered to SB 25-024, and the bill's prime sponsors provided closing remarks in its favor.


12:49:08 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 25-024 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Carter
Seconded Soper
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Clifford Yes
DeGraaf Yes
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie No
Soper Yes
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 9   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB25-1255 - Postponed Indefinitely
12:49:35 PM  
The committee recessed.
12:51:25 PM  
The committee returned
to order. Representative Luck, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 25-1255.
The bill allows health care providers to refuse to perform or pay for medical
procedures based on their right of conscience. Representative Luck explained
the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Luck responded
to questions regarding the scope of the bill in terms of health care professionals
covered, and the ability of a professional to act under conscience. Representative
Luck responded to further questions regarding the ability of physicians
to reject patients under current law. Discussion ensued regarding acting
on conscience within the field of medicine, and how the bill facilitates
this. Discussion followed regarding the need for the legislation, and conscience
issues within various settings.
01:49:58 PM  
Mr. Lavi Payne-Grauch,
representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. David Schwartz,
representing The Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, testified in
opposition to the bill. Ms. Mariah Guerrero, representing Colorado Organization
for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified in opposition
to the bill. Mx. Ollie Glessner, representing Inside Out Youth Services,
testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Bruce Parker, representing Rocky
Mountain Equality, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Kara Allison,
representing JEDI Advocacy Council of Greeley, testified in opposition
to the bill. Dani Newsom, representing themself, testified in opposition
to HB 25-1255.



Discussion ensued regarding the ability to force someone to perform certain
medical procedures, and denial of care to certain populations. Discussion
followed regarding matters of conscience in medicine, and activities precluded
by the bill.
02:37:19 PM  
Mary Dodson read
the testimony of Tony Kim in support of HB 25-1255. Deanne Wikler, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. John Mize, representing
Americans United for Life, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Catherine
Wheeler, representing AAPLOG Action, testified in support of the bill.




Discussion ensued regarding the testimony of Dr. Tony Kim. Dr. Wheeler
responded to questions regarding the impact of certain policies on the
availability of medical professionals in Colorado, and the scope of the
bill in terms of medical procedures. Dr. Wheeler responded to further questions
regarding conscience issues for medical professionals in emergency situations.
 Discussion followed regarding this issue. Mr. Mize and Dr. Wheeler
responded to questions regarding religious exemptions.
03:08:00 PM  
Dr. Thomas Perille,
representing Democrats for Life of Colorado and Association of Prolife
OB/GYNS Action, testified in support of the bill. Cathy Reeves read the
testimony of Maureen West in support of HB 25-1255. Erica Steinmiller-Perdomo,
representing Alliance Defending Freedom, testified in support of the bill.




Ms. Steinmiller-Perdomo responded to questions regarding First Amendment
issues associated with the bill. Dr. Perille responded to questions regarding
certain statistics he cited during testimony, and current law with respect
to providing care for certain groups. Discussion ensued regarding the latter
point, and patient protections in the bill.
03:38:05 PM  
Mr. Bob Reeves, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Tatiana Fernandez, representing....
testified on the bill from an amend position. Brenda Dennis, representing
themself, testified on HB 25-1255. Ms. Rush Rush, representing themself,
testified in support of the bill. Dr. Tom Jensen, representing themself,
testified in support of the bill. Dr. Catherine Winchester, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Lauren Castillo, representing
Bella health and wellness, testified in support of the bill. Donna LaBelle,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
04:04:05 PM  
Ms. Brittany Vessely,
representing Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of the
bill. Ms. Jody Nickerson, representing themself, testified in support of
the bill.
04:10:19 PM  
Written testimony
may be found in Attachment A. No amendments were offered to HB 25-1255.
Representative Luck provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various
committee members provided their positions on the bill.


04:42:42 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1255 to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Soper
Seconded DeGraaf
Armagost Yes
Bacon No
Clifford No
DeGraaf Yes
Espenoza No
Garcia No
Keltie Yes
Soper Yes
Zokaie No
Carter No
Mabrey No
YES: 4   NO: 7   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL


04:43:01 PM
 Motion Postpone House Bill 25-1255 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely.
Moved Carter
Seconded Bacon
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Clifford Yes
DeGraaf No
Espenoza Yes
Garcia Yes
Keltie No
Soper No
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB25-1212 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole

04:43:15 PM  
Representatives Soper
and Rutinel, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 25-1212. The bill prohibits
developers of artificial intelligence models from  retaliating against
workers, and requires developers to adopt certain policies and procedures.
Representative Rutinel explained the effect of the bill and discussed its
need. Representative Soper provided additional input on the merits of the
bill. Discussion ensued regarding efforts at the federal level similar
to HB 25-1212, and what constitutes a software developer under the bill.
Discussion followed regarding certain thresholds in the bill. Discussion
turned to the amendments to narrow the scope of the bill.




Committee members asked questions about definitions in the bill and SB
24-205. Further questions were raised about current whistleblower protections.
Punitive damages were also discussed. Representative Soper responded to
questions regarding the ramifications of being the first state to pass
legislation in this subject area.
05:16:08 PM  
John Bliss, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Scott Wisor, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Nathan Calvin, representing
Encode, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Benjamin Xie, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Nikhil Krishnaswamy, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Jennifer Gibson, representing
Psst, testified in support of the bill.




Discussion ensued regarding the need for whistleblowers in the technology
sector, and risks associated with artificial intelligence. Discussion followed
regarding the potential benefits of expanding the bill's whistleblower
protections, and the types of concerns brought forth by whistleblowers.
06:00:23 PM  
Melanie Layton, representing
TechNet and the Colorado Bankers Association, testified in opposition to
HB 25-1212. Rachel Beck, representing Colorado Competitive Council, testified
in opposition to the bill. Michael McReynolds, representing Governor's
Office of Information Technology, testified in opposition to the bill.
Meghan Dollar, representing Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in
opposition to the bill.



Mr. McReynolds responded to questions regarding whistleblower protections
under current law. Discussion ensued regarding the potential impact of
the bill on industry, and which executive department or at what level of
government should address whistleblower protections for artificial intelligence.
Discussion followed regarding certain definitions in the bill and other
artificial intelligence-related legislation.
06:31:46 PM  
Drea Modugno, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to HB 25-1212.
06:35:10 PM  
Fatima Fernandez,
representing Harmony Initiative, testified in opposition to the bill.



Written testimony
may be found in Attachment B.
06:38:39 PM  
Mr. Henry Wu, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Michelle Nie, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Poppy Alexander, representing
Whistleblower Partners LLP, testified in support of the bill. Adam Billen,
representing Encode, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Madeline Freeman,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
06:54:13 PM  
Representative Soper
explained the effect of amendment L.003 (Attachment C).  Representative
Rutinel responded to questions regarding hypothetical scenarios surrounding
the amendment. Discussion ensued on such a scenario.


07:15:11 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003
Moved Soper
Seconded Bacon
Armagost
Bacon
Clifford
DeGraaf
Espenoza
Garcia
Keltie
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Withdrawn
07:16:37 PM  
Representative Soper
explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment D).  Discussion
ensued.


07:28:48 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002
Moved Soper
Seconded Bacon
Armagost No
Bacon No
Clifford Yes
DeGraaf Excused
Espenoza Yes
Garcia No
Keltie Excused
Soper Yes
Zokaie No
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
YES: 5   NO: 4   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
07:28:50 PM  
Representative Rutinel
explained the effect of amendment L.007 (Attachment E).  Discussion
ensued regarding its effect.


07:36:40 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.007
Moved Soper
Seconded Bacon
Armagost
Bacon
Clifford
DeGraaf Excused
Espenoza
Garcia
Keltie Excused
Soper
Zokaie
Carter
Mabrey
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 2   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
07:36:42 PM  
Representatives Rutinel
and Soper provided closing remarks in support of HB 25-1212. Committee
members provided their positions on the bill.


07:53:10 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 25-1212, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Soper
Seconded Bacon
Armagost No
Bacon Yes
Clifford Yes
DeGraaf No
Espenoza No
Garcia Yes
Keltie Excused
Soper Yes
Zokaie Yes
Carter Yes
Mabrey Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 3   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB25-1067 - Committee Discussion Only
07:53:23 PM  
Representative DeGraaf,
prime sponsor, presented House Bill 25-1067. The bill repeals statutes
pertaining to civil forfeiture and replaces them with procedures for applying
forfeiture proceedings to criminal cases. The bill also imposes certain
requirements on forfeiture proceedings. Representative DeGraaf explained
the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative DeGraaf responded
to questions regarding the disposition of property under the bill at different
phases of a criminal proceeding, and seizure threshold amounts under the
bill.  
08:17:44 PM  
Audrey Weiss, representing
1st Judicial District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the
bill. Robert Nitido, representing 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office,
testified in opposition to the bill. Tony Gioia, representing 4th Judicial
District Attorney's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Darcy
Kofol, representing District Attorney's Office for the 23rd Judicial District,
testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Major-Mark Mason, representing
Cdps/Colorado State Patrol, testified in opposition to the bill. Deputy
Chief Todd Reeves, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police,
testified in opposition to the bill.




Discussion ensued regarding the process involved in seizing property in
a criminal case, and dollar thresholds for property seizures. Discussion
followed regarding the importance of asset seizures to certain law enforcement
initiatives, and what happens to unclaimed assets. Discussion turned to
the use of counsel in civil forfeiture cases, and the impact of HB 25-1067
on fentanyl seizure. The panel responded to questions regarding conflict-of-interest
firewalls with respect to asset seizure.
08:48:38 PM  
Fatima Fernandez,
representing themself, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Bennett Rutledge,
representing Harmony Initiative, Inc, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. Frank Cotten, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.




Mr. James Karbach, representing Colo. St. Pub. Defender, testified to amend
the bill. Mr. Karbach responded to questions regarding potential action
by the U.S. Supreme Court on asset forfeiture, and preventing certain criminal
enterprises from accessing assets under HB 25-1067. Mr. Karbach responded
to further questions regarding the amount of asset forfeiture money is
seized from those who are not convicted of a crime.
09:04:24 PM  
Catching Valentinis,
representing Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, testified in support of the bill.
Donna LaBelle, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Ms. Hannah Goodman, representing The Libertarian Party of Colorado, testified
in support of the bill. Jacob Luria, representing themself, testified in
support of the bill. Shannon Johnson, representing themself, testified
in support of the bill. Mr. Alasdair Whitney, representing Institute for
Justice, testified in support of the bill.




Mr. Whitney responded to questions regarding asset forfeiture reform efforts
in other states, and how much money is subject to seizure from those not
found guilty of a crime. Mr. Valentinis provided input on the latter issue.
Discussion ensued regarding New Mexico's asset forfeiture laws.
09:27:56 PM  
James Wiley, representing
Libertarian Party of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Darcy
Schoening, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Natalie
Menten, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jeremy
Goodall, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Lynda
Zamora Wilson, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Additional witness
testimony can be found in Attachment F.



Chair Mabrey laid
the bill over for action only.


09:43:32 PM   The committee adjourned.






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