0D43027B06B1D9608725894000735153 Hearing Summary

Vivienne Belmont, representing Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform, Department of Regulatory Agencies, presented the sunset report about the Defense Counsel on First Appearance Grant Program. 

The report is found at this link:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ix57OFgHEuZDEQGeV9d1YCnOQ4wHiyq/view

Committee members asked questions about grant recipients and related distribution dollars.  Discussion ensued about the intent of the grant program and smaller municipalities. 

Meghan MacKillop, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of continuing the program. 

Committee members asked questions about the financial burden of providing defense counsel on a first appearance.  Questions were raised about grant funds distribution.  Further questions were asked about how municipalities are notified about the availability of grant funds. 

Representatives from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) testified about the program, including Bruce Eisenhauer, legislative liaison; Dave Bowman, deputy director, and Mitchell Cradduck, program manager.  They answered questions from the committee about funding and grant recipients.  

Committee discussion continued about data gathering, and defendants or offenses that are subject to the grant funds.   The DOLA representatives clarified that defendants who are facing the possibility of incarceration are certified to receive counsel on first appearance. 

The committee discussed adding a five year sunset to the draft bill. 

Senator Rodriguez agreed to be the prime bill sponsor, and the committee approved OLLS to make technical changes as needed.