h_lg_2016a_2016-05-04t13:34:01z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 05/04/2016

02:19 PM -- HB16-1464



Representative Pabon presented and summarized House Bill 16-1464 concerning civil action for taking newspapers. This bill grants newspaper publishers, advertisers, and readers the right to pursue civil action against a person who steals newspapers or who interferes with newspaper distribution. In any civil action brought under the bill, a prevailing plaintiff is entitled to actual damages; a prevailing publisher is entitled to a civil penalty of ten dollars for each newspaper obtained illegally; and the prevailing party is entitled to attorneys fees and costs.



Representative Pabon answered questions form the committee regarding property rights and the taking of newspapers.





02:29 PM



Representative Pabon continued to answer questions from the committee regarding current civil action for the taking of newspapers.



02:33 PM -- Greg Romberg, Colorado Press Association, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed the civil action that would be allowed under the bill concerning the taking of newspapers.



Mr. Romberg answered questions regarding civil liability.



02:46 PM -- Jerry Berry, Office of Legislative Legal Services, answered questions from the committee regarding the definition of newspapers under current law.



Representative Pabon answered questions from the committee regarding civil liability for free newspapers.



Mr. Berry answered questions regarding rules regarding an original purpose of a bill and the definition of a newspaper.





02:56 PM



The committee members discussed the criminal elements association with the taking of newspapers.



Representative Klingenschmitt distributed and summarized amendment L.002 (Attachment C).



16HouseLocal0504AttachC.pdf

The committee members provided closing comments on the bill.