Skip to main content
Colorado General AssemblyToggle Main Menu
Agency NameToggle Agency Menu

ED458723C7E9455A872586B60069315D Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB21-1255

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Apr 13, 2021      
Location Old State Library



HB21-1255 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations

01:09:03 PM  

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Weissman provided opening remarks on the day's hearing. Representatives Duran and Gray, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 21-1255, concerning procedures for a domestic abuser upon the issuance of a protection order. Representative Duran explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need.

01:11:23 PM  

Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General, testified in support of HB 21-1255. Attorney General Weiser responded to questions regarding the underreporting of domestic violence that does not result in death and potential fifth amendment issues with the bill. Attorney General Weiser responded to questions regarding criminal penalties in the bill for failure to abide by certain provisions in the bill, and certain statistics surrounding domestic violence that he cited. Discussion ensued regarding certain immunities from criminal prosecution in the bill, as well as civil liability. Attorney General Weiser responded to questions regarding the likelihood that removal of firearms from domestic abusers will prevent crime or self harm.

01:39:40 PM  
Representative Gray discussed the merits of HB 21-1255, and provided further information on the effect of the bill.
01:47:58 PM  

The following persons testified regarding HB 21-1255: Kenneth Boyd, representing the Seventeenth Judicial District, testified in support of the bill. Julia Webber, representing Giffords Law Center, testified in support of the bill. Holly Cheng, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Boyd responded to questions regarding the various steps in the process of firearms removal for those charged with domestic violence under the bill, and how the bill differs from current law. Mr. Boyd responded to questions regarding the cancellation of a compliance hearing if an accused domestic abuser correctly files an affidavit under the bill, and surrendering ammunition under the bill. Mr. Boyd responded to further questions regarding what constitutes a "qualifying incident" under the bill, and transfer of firearms from a person accused of domestic abuse to a federally licensed firearms dealer. Discussion returned to certain immunities contained in the bill, and potential fifth amendment issues raised by the bill.

02:46:05 PM  

Robert Edmiston, representing the Firearms Coalition of Colorado, testified in opposition to HB 21-1255. Mr. Edmiston responded to statistics associated with removal of firearms from those accused of domestic violence.

02:50:56 PM  
Maureen Cain, representing the ACLU and the Office of the State Public Defender, testified on HB 21-1255 from an "amend" position. Ms. Cain responded to questions regarding probable cause, and the timing of certain court activities under the bill. Ms. Cain responded to questions regarding the efficacy of domestic abuser firearms relinquishment laws. Discussion ensued on this issue. Ms. Cain responded to questions regarding amendments that she is requesting be included in the bill.
03:29:20 PM  

Anne Kelly, representing the Twentieth Judicial District, testified in support of HB 21-1255. Maggie Conboy, representing the Denver District Attorney's Office, testified in support of the bill. John Quinn, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Quinn and Ms. Conboy replied to questions regarding domestic violence-related programming at the Denver District Attorney's Office, and its efficacy.

03:48:39 PM  
Anubis Heru, representing 1770 Armory, testified in support of HB 21-1255.

April Zeoli, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

David Keck, representing the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms, testified in support of the bill.

Jenn Doe, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Anna Brennon, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Carly Doe, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jessica Wurtz, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jennifer Eyl, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

04:21:17 PM  
Eileen McCarron, representing Colorado Ceasefire, testified in support of HB 21-1255.

Moria Rafferty Sharkey, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Gerald James Rafferty, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

04:35:00 PM  
Kelly Murphy, representing Moms Demand Action, testified in support of HB 21-1255.

Rebecca Zimmerman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Peter Fogg, representing Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence, testified in support of the bill.

04:47:16 PM  
Mary Parker, representing herself, testified in support of HB 21-1255.

The committee recessed.

05:04:35 PM  
The committee returned to order.

Lydia Waligorski, representing Violence Free Colorado, testified in support of HB 21-1255.

05:08:33 PM  

Representative Gray explained the effect of amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

05:15:15 PM  
Discussion ensued regarding a conceptual amendment to L.001.


05:15:41 PM
Motion This is a conceptual amendment to L.001
Moved Tipper
Seconded Benavidez
Bacon
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Daugherty
Luck
Lynch
Roberts
Woodrow
Tipper
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


05:16:46 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001, as conceptually amended
Moved Tipper
Seconded Woodrow
Bacon Yes
Benavidez Yes
Bockenfeld Yes
Carver Yes
Daugherty Yes
Luck Yes
Lynch Yes
Roberts No
Woodrow Yes
Tipper Yes
Weissman Yes
YES: 10   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
05:16:50 PM  

Representative Gray explained the effect of amendment L.002 (Attachment B).



05:17:36 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.002
Moved Woodrow
Seconded Tipper
Bacon
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Daugherty
Luck
Lynch
Roberts
Woodrow
Tipper
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
05:17:39 PM  

Representative Duran explained the effect of amendments L.003 (Attachment C), L.004 (Attachment D), and L.005 (Attachment E).

05:19:14 PM  
Representative Woodrow provided input on the effect of the three amendments.


05:22:44 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.003
Moved Woodrow
Seconded Weissman
Bacon
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Daugherty
Luck
Lynch
Roberts
Woodrow
Tipper
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


05:23:40 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.004
Moved Woodrow
Seconded Tipper
Bacon
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Daugherty
Luck
Lynch
Roberts
Woodrow
Tipper
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


05:24:07 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.005
Moved Woodrow
Seconded Tipper
Bacon
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Daugherty
Luck
Lynch
Roberts
Woodrow
Tipper
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
05:24:09 PM  

Representative Benavidez explained the effect of amendment L.006 (Attachment F).



05:26:33 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.006 severed section B.
Moved Benavidez
Seconded Tipper
Bacon
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Daugherty
Luck
Lynch
Roberts
Woodrow
Tipper
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
05:26:36 PM  

Discussion ensued regarding severed section A of amendment L.006.  Severed section A was withdrawn.

05:27:44 PM  
The prime sponsors of HB 21-1255 provided closing remarks in support of the bill. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.


05:56:00 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 21-1255, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Tipper
Seconded Woodrow
Bacon Yes
Benavidez Yes
Bockenfeld No
Carver No
Daugherty Yes
Luck No
Lynch No
Roberts Yes
Woodrow Yes
Tipper Yes
Weissman Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS






The 2024 Statewide Ballot Information Booklet is now online