h_sa_2017a_2017-01-25t13:33:07z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 01/25/2017

Location: LSB A

01:33 PM -- HB17-1013



Representative Humphrey and Representative Williams, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1013. The bill prevents any state action that may burden a person's exercise of religion, unless it is demonstrated that applying the burden is:

• essential to furthering a compelling governmental interest; and
• the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.

State action includes state and local laws, ordinances, policies, rules, regulations, or other actions by a state or local government, political subdivision, or public official. People whose exercise of religion is burdened, or likely to be burdened, may assert this violation as a claim or defense in court. The bill authorizes various remedies, including damages, injunctions, costs, and attorney fees.





01:43 PM



Representative Williams and Representative Humphrey answered questions from the committee.



02:05 PM -- Theresa Sidebotham, Christian Legal Society, testified in support of the bill. She provided an informational packet to the committee (Attachment A). Ms. Sidebotham answered questions from the committee.



17HouseState0125AttachA.pdf



02:48 PM -- Jacki Melmed, Office of the Governor, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Melmed answered questions from the committee.



02:57 PM -- Rachel Swalley, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Swalley answered questions from the committee.



03:01 PM -- Kelly Brough, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment B).



17HouseState0125AttachB.pdf



03:06 PM -- Rabbi Brian Immerman, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:10 PM -- Reverend Laura Rossbert, Interfaith Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:12 PM -- Dilpreet Jammu, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.





03:16 PM



Reverend Rossbert, Mr. Jammu, and Rabbi Immerman answered questions from the committee.



03:17 PM -- Reverend Philip Eberhart, Colorado Family Action, testified in support of the bill.



03:21 PM -- Danny DeZayas, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. DeZayas answered questions from the committee.





03:30 PM



The committee recessed.





03:37 PM



The committee came back to order. Mr. DeZayas continued answering questions from the committee.



03:39 PM -- Robin Coran, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:42 PM -- Tracy deCharme, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:46 PM -- Jay Ledbetter, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He provided written statements from Brad Bergford (Attachment C), Preston J. Branaugh (Attachment D), and Bryan Neihart (Attachment E). Mr. Ledbetter answered questions from the committee.



17HouseState0125AttachC.pdf 17HouseState0125AttachD.pdf 17HouseState0125AttachE.pdf



03:55 PM -- Barry Roseman, Colorado Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Roseman answered questions from the committee.



04:00 PM -- Dr. Dix Winston, Crosspoint Community Church, testified in support of the bill. He answered questions from the committee.



04:06 PM -- Melissa Hart, Colorado LGBT Bar Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Hart answered questions from the committee.



04:12 PM -- Bishop John Brannon, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



04:16 PM -- Shirley Leow, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:20 PM -- Robert Fox, The Patriot League, testified in support of the bill. He read a statement from Aaron Robertson.



04:24 PM -- Cindy Vigesaa, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.



04:27 PM -- Jenna Ellis, Centennial Institute, testified in support of the bill. She read a statement from the Centennial Institute. Ms. Ellis answered questions from the committee.



04:44 PM -- Sylvia Herring, representing herself, testified in a neutral capacity.



04:50 PM -- Carolyn Martin, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



04:53 PM -- Thomas Perille, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



04:57 PM -- Randy Mills, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.





05:01 PM



Representative Leonard presented amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The committee discussed amendment L.001.



17HouseState0125AttachF.pdf

05:09 PM



Representative Williams presented amendment L.002 (Attachment G). The committee discussed amendment L.002.



17HouseState0125AttachG.pdf

05:11 PM



Representative Williams presented amendment L.003 (Attachment H). The committee discussed amendment L.003.



17HouseState0125AttachH.pdf

05:15 PM



Representative Williams presented amendment L.004 (Attachment I). The committee discussed amendment L.004.



17HouseState0125AttachI.pdf

05:18 PM



Representative Humphrey made concluding remarks about House Bill 17-1013. Committee members made comments about the bill.

05:35 PM



The committee recessed.