J_LC_2024A 09/04/2024 09:13:13 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Date

09/04/2024

Attendance
Amabile	X
Armagost	X
Coleman	X
Duran	X
Gardner	X
Hansen	X
Hartsook	X
Jodeh	X
Lindstedt	X
Lukens	X
Lundeen	X
Pelton B.	X
Rodriguez	X
Simpson	X
Winter F.	X
Winter T.	X
Fenberg	X
McCluskie	X

Time

09:13:13 AM to 01:18:38 PM

Place

Old State Library

This Meeting was called to order by

McCluskie

This Report was prepared by

Rachel Kurtz-Phelan

Hearing Items	Action Taken
hIntroductory Remarks	Committee Discussion Only
hAmendment G - Modify Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities	Committee Discussion Only
hAmendment H - Judicial Discipline Procedures and Confidentiality	Committee Discussion Only
hAmendment I - Constitutional Bail Exception for First Degree Murder	Committee Discussion Only
hAmendment J - Repealing the Definition of Marriage in the Constitution	Committee Discussion Only
hAmendment K - Modify Constitutional Election Deadlines	Committee Discussion Only
hProposition JJ - Retain Additional Sports Betting Tax Revenue	Committee Discussion Only
hProposition KK - Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax	Committee Discussion Only
hInitiative 89 - Constitutional Right to Abortion	Committee Discussion Only
hInitiative 91 - Prohibit Bobcat, Lynx, and Mountain Lion Hunting	Committee Discussion Only
hInitative 112 - Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence	Committee Discussion Only
hInitiative 138 - Constitutional Right to School Choice	Committee Discussion Only
hIntiative 145 - Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates	Committee Discussion Only
hInitiative 157 - Funding for Law Enforcement	Committee Discussion Only
hInitiative 310 - Establishing All-Candidate Primary & Ranked Choice Voting General Elections	Committee Discussion Only

Introductory Remarks - Committee Discussion Only


	09:13:24 AM	Speaker McCluskie announced that Initiatives 50 and 108 have been witthdrawn from the ballot so the committee will no longer be hearing the analyses. Natalie Castle, Director, and Julia Jackson, Ballot Analysis Manager, Legislative Council Staff, provided introductory remarks. Director Castle reviewed the analysis materials provided to the members, which can be found here, and Ms. Jackson provided statistics about the Blue Book. Director Castle reviewed some of the statutory and constitutional requirements that pertain to writing the Blue Book, especially in regards to the arguments for and against each measure.

Amendment G - Modify Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities - Committee Discussion Only


	09:27:54 AM	Elizabeth Ramey, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Amendment G- Modify Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities.

Amendment H - Judicial Discipline Procedures and Confidentiality - Committee Discussion Only


	09:31:59 AM	Juliann Jenson, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Amendment H- Judicial Discipline Procedures and Confidentiality.
	09:36:23 AM	Jeff Rupp, representing Colorado Judicial Institute, testified on the Blue Book analysis.
	09:37:29 AM	Marilyn Chappell, representing Colorado Judicial Institute, testified on the ballot analysis.
	09:39:56 AM	Christopher Gregory, representing himself, testified on the ballot analysis.
	09:43:27 AM	Chris Forsyth, representing The Judicial Integrity Project, testified on the ballot analysis.

Amendment I - Constitutional Bail Exception for First Degree Murder - Committee Discussion Only


	09:47:37 AM	Rachel Kurtz-Phelan, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Amendment I - Constitutional Bail Exception for First Degree Murder.

Amendment J - Repealing the Definition of Marriage in the Constitution - Committee Discussion Only


	09:50:25 AM	Nina Forbes, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Amendment J- Repealing the Definition of Marriage in the Constitution.
	09:53:14 AM	Marilyn Gore, representing themself, testified on the ballot analysis.

Amendment K - Modify Constitutional Election Deadlines - Committee Discussion Only

Attachment Tag

File Name

Attachment A

Attachment A.pdf

09:57:17 AM

Jeanette Chapman,
Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Amendment K- Modify
Constitutional Election Deadlines.

10:00:37 AM

Matt Crane, Executive
Director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, testified on the ballot
analysis.

10:03:43 AM

President Fenberg
distributed and explained Amendment 1 to Amendment K (Attachment A).

10:07:03 AM	Motion	Amendment 1 to Amendment K
	Moved	Fenberg
	Seconded	Pelton B.

	Amabile	Yes
	Armagost	Yes
	Coleman	Yes
	Duran	Yes
	Gardner	Yes
	Hansen	Yes
	Hartsook	Yes
	Jodeh	Yes
	Lindstedt	Yes
	Lukens	Yes
	Lundeen	Yes
	Pelton B.	Yes
	Rodriguez	Yes
	Simpson	Yes
	Winter F.	Yes
	Winter T.	Yes
	Fenberg	Yes
	McCluskie	Yes
		YES: 18 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

Proposition JJ - Retain Additional Sports Betting Tax Revenue - Committee Discussion Only


	10:07:29 AM	Matt Becker, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Proposition JJ- Retain Additional Sports Betting Tax Revenue. He answered questions from the committee.
	10:10:03 AM	Amanda Liddle, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions from the committee on the fiscal impact section of the analysis. Committee discussion ensued.
	10:15:06 AM	Brian Jackson, representing himself, testified on the ballot analysis.

Proposition KK - Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax - Committee Discussion Only


	10:17:46 AM	Bo Pogue, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Proposition KK- Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax. Mr. Pogue answered questions from the committee.
	10:24:28 AM	Ian Escalante, representing Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, testified on the ballot analysis.
	10:26:23 AM	Soledad Diaz, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified on the ballot analysis.
	10:30:00 AM	Courtney Sutton, representing Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, testified on the ballot analysis.
	10:32:54 AM	Ashley Jellison, representing Colorado Children's Alliance, testified on the ballot analysis.

Initiative 89 - Constitutional Right to Abortion - Committee Discussion Only

Attachment Tag

File Name

Attachment B

Attachment B.pdf

10:35:01 AM

The committee recessed.

10:42:24 AM

The committee came
back to order. Amanda King, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis
for Initiative 89- Constitutional Right to Abortion.

10:45:14 AM

Scott Shamblin, representing Colorado Right To Life, testified on the ballot analysis.

10:49:00 AM

Sean Bateman, representing themself, testified on the ballot analysis.

10:50:32 AM

Trent Headrick, representing themself, testified on the ballot analysis.

10:53:28 AM

Thomas Perille, representing Democrats for Life of Colorado, testified on the ballot analysis.

10:58:00 AM

Marilyn Gore, representing Colorado Life Initiative, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:00:54 AM

Jack Teter, representing Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:02:23 AM

Dr. Catherine Wheeler, representing American Association of Prolife Obstetrician and Gynecologists, Colorado Chapter, President, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:05:56 AM

Gualberto Garcia Jones, representing Colorado Right to Life, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:09:23 AM

Brittany Vessely, representing Pro Life Colorado, testified.

11:12:20 AM

Wendy Smith, representing themself, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:16:13 AM

Robin Robinson, representing themself, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:18:39 AM

Thomas Harris, representing themself, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:21:49 AM

Gabrielle Robinson, representing Colorado Right to Life, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:26:13 AM

Senator Winter distributed
and explained Amendment 1 to Initiative 89 (Attachment B).

11:28:11 AM	Motion	Amendment 1 to Initiative 89
	Moved	Winter F.
	Seconded	Duran

	Amabile	Yes
	Armagost	No
	Coleman	Yes
	Duran	Yes
	Gardner	No
	Hansen	Yes
	Hartsook	No
	Jodeh	Yes
	Lindstedt	Yes
	Lukens	Yes
	Lundeen	No
	Pelton B.	No
	Rodriguez	Yes
	Simpson	No
	Winter F.	Yes
	Winter T.	No
	Fenberg	Yes
	McCluskie	Yes
		YES: 11 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

11:28:20 AM

Committee members
made comments.

Initiative 91 - Prohibit Bobcat, Lynx, and Mountain Lion Hunting - Committee Discussion Only


	11:29:31 AM	Alexa Kelly, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Initiative 91- Prohibit Bobcat, Lynx, and Mountain Lion Hunting.
	11:31:44 AM	Ian Escalante, representing Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, testified on the ballot analysis.
	11:35:21 AM	Representative Armagost proposed adding "apex predator" into the analysis but did not move it as an amendment.

Initative 112 - Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence - Committee Discussion Only


	11:37:21 AM	Aaron Carpenter, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis of Initiative 112- Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence.

Initiative 138 - Constitutional Right to School Choice - Committee Discussion Only

Attachment Tag

File Name

Attachment C

Attachment C.pdf

11:40:06 AM

Josh Abram, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Initiative 138- Constitutional Right to School Choice.

11:43:04 AM

Vladislav Famijav,
representing himself, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:44:26 AM

Sebastian Sarkesian, representing himself, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:45:46 AM

Senator Lundeen distributed
and explained Amendment 1 to Initiative 138 (Attachment C). Committee members
made comments.

11:49:53 AM	Motion	Amendment 1 to Initiative 138
	Moved	Lundeen
	Seconded	Pelton B.

	Amabile	No
	Armagost	Yes
	Coleman	No
	Duran	No
	Gardner	Yes
	Hansen	No
	Hartsook	Yes
	Jodeh	No
	Lindstedt	No
	Lukens	No
	Lundeen	Yes
	Pelton B.	Yes
	Rodriguez	No
	Simpson	Yes
	Winter F.	No
	Winter T.	Yes
	Fenberg	No
	McCluskie	No
		YES: 7 NO: 11 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

Intiative 145 - Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates - Committee Discussion Only

Attachment Tag

File Name

Attachment D

Attachment D.pdf

Attachment E

Attachment E.pdf

11:50:36 AM

Josh Abram, Legislative
Council Staff, presented the analysis for Initiative 145- Establishing
Veterinary Professional Associates. The committee received Amendments 1
and 3 (Attachments D and E).

11:53:54 AM

Ali Mickelson, representing Dumb Friends League, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:56:55 AM

Dr. Apryl Steele, representing Dumb Friends League, testified on the ballot analysis.

11:58:59 AM

Dr. William French, representing Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, testified on the ballot analysis.

12:02:31 PM

Dr. Jo Myers, representing themself, testified on the ballot analysis..

12:04:09 PM

Sabrina Pacha, representing American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), testified on the ballot analysis.

12:06:42 PM

Erin Henninger, representing Colorado Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians, testified on the ballot analysis.

12:10:04 PM

Representative Karen McCormick, representing herself as a veterinarian, testified on the ballot analysis. She answered questions from the committee.

12:19:08 PM

The panel of witnesses continue to answer questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.

12:36:50 PM

Committee discussion continued. The committee took a brief recess.

12:53:36 PM

The committee came back to order.

12:55:00 PM

Representative Lindstedt
explained Amendment 1 (Attachment D).

12:59:41 PM	Motion	Amendment 1 to Initiative 145
	Moved	Lindstedt
	Seconded	Amabile

	Amabile	Yes
	Armagost	No
	Coleman	Yes
	Duran	Yes
	Gardner	No
	Hansen	Yes
	Hartsook	No
	Jodeh	Yes
	Lindstedt	Yes
	Lukens	Yes
	Lundeen	Yes
	Pelton B.	Yes
	Rodriguez	No
	Simpson	Yes
	Winter F.	No
	Winter T.	No
	Fenberg	No
	McCluskie	Yes
		YES: 11 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

Initiative 157 - Funding for Law Enforcement - Committee Discussion Only


	01:00:04 PM	Jessika Shipley, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Initiative 157- Funding for Law Enforcement. She answered questions from the committee.

Initiative 310 - Establishing All-Candidate Primary & Ranked Choice Voting General Elections - Committee Discussion Only


	01:05:42 PM	Matt Bishop, Legislative Council Staff, presented the analysis for Initiative 310- Establishing All-Candidate Primary and Ranked Choice Voting General Elections.
	01:09:13 PM	Carolyn Boller, representing Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans, testified on the ballot analysis.
	01:11:43 PM	Amber McReynolds, representing herself, testified on the ballot analysis.
	01:15:05 PM	Sandra Parker-Murray, representing Communications Workers of America, testified on the ballot analysis.

01:17:48 PM

Speaker McCluskie
announced that the next Legislative Council meeting will take place on
Octobert 15 at 9 am in the Old State Library to consider interim committee
legislation.

01:18:38 PM

The committee adjourned.

Introductory Remarks - Committee Discussion Only

Amendment G - Modify Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities - Committee Discussion Only

Amendment H - Judicial Discipline Procedures and Confidentiality - Committee Discussion Only

Amendment I - Constitutional Bail Exception for First Degree Murder - Committee Discussion Only

Amendment J - Repealing the Definition of Marriage in the Constitution - Committee Discussion Only

Amendment K - Modify Constitutional Election Deadlines - Committee Discussion Only

Proposition JJ - Retain Additional Sports Betting Tax Revenue - Committee Discussion Only

Proposition KK - Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax - Committee Discussion Only

Initiative 89 - Constitutional Right to Abortion - Committee Discussion Only

Initiative 91 - Prohibit Bobcat, Lynx, and Mountain Lion Hunting - Committee Discussion Only

Initative 112 - Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence - Committee Discussion Only

Initiative 138 - Constitutional Right to School Choice - Committee Discussion Only

Intiative 145 - Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates - Committee Discussion Only

Initiative 157 - Funding for Law Enforcement - Committee Discussion Only

Initiative 310 - Establishing All-Candidate Primary & Ranked Choice Voting General Elections - Committee Discussion Only

Colorado General Assembly