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H_JUD_2019A 03/12/2019 02:18:33 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date 03/12/2019
Attendance
Benavidez X
Bockenfeld X
Carver X
Galindo X
Gonzales-Gutierrez X
McKean X
Roberts X
Soper *
Tipper X
Herod *
Weissman *
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Time 02:18:33 PM to 03:27:51 PM
Place HCR 0112
This Meeting was called to order by Representative Weissman
This Report was prepared by Bo Pogue
Hearing Items Action Taken
SB19-109 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB19-014 Amended, referred to the House for final action

SB19-109 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole


02:19:26 PM  

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Garnett, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-109, concerning adjustments to limitations on damages to reflect the effects of inflation.  The following persons testified regarding the bill:

Mr. Christopher Reeves, representing the Colorado Civil Justice League, testified in opposition to the bill.  Mr. Reeves discussed cost impacts on small businesses.

Mr. Patrick Boyle, representing the Association of Property and Casualty Insurers, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Boyle discussed insurance premium increases in Colorado, and the potential impact of the bill on these costs. Discussion ensued regarding prejudgment interest.

02:38:59 PM  

Ms. Debbie Taussig, representing the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, testified in support of SB 19-109.

Ms. Kari Jones Dulin, representing the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, testified in support of the bill. She rebutted earlier testimony.

Mr. Kristian Roggendorf, representing Coloradans for Legal Freedom, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Roggendorf discussed the erosion of the value of a monetary settlement by time.  Discussion ensued regarding the effect of civil damage limitations on insurance rates, and an assertion made during previous testimony that a plaintiff might wait to file a lawsuit to maximize prejudgment interest.

02:57:04 PM  

Ms. Helen Raleigh, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Raleigh discussed the loss of her unborn child due to malpractice, and cited statistics on damage caps in other states.

03:03:34 PM  

No amendments were offered to SB 19-109.  Representative Garnett provided closing remarks in support of the bill.



03:05:00 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 19-109 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Roberts
Seconded Galindo
Benavidez Yes
Bockenfeld No
Carver No
Galindo Yes
Gonzales-Gutierrez Yes
McKean No
Roberts Yes
Soper No
Tipper Yes
Herod Yes
Weissman Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB19-014 - Amended, referred to the House for final action


03:08:13 PM  

Representative Tipper explained her motives for reconsidering the March 7 motion to postpone indefinitely Senate Bill 19-014. Representative Tipper noted the positions of some stakeholders on reconsideration.  Discussion ensued regarding the reconsideration motion.

03:17:28 PM  

Discussion ensued regarding the necessity for certain language in SB 19-014.



03:21:26 PM
Motion Reconsider PI of Senate Bill 19-014
Moved Tipper
Seconded Herod
Benavidez No
Bockenfeld Yes
Carver Yes
Galindo Yes
Gonzales-Gutierrez Yes
McKean Yes
Roberts Yes
Soper Yes
Tipper Yes
Herod Yes
Weissman Yes
YES: 10   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
03:21:28 PM  
Representative Carver explained the effect of amendment L.008 (Attachment A). Discussion ensued regarding further potential amendments during second reading of the bill.


03:26:03 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.008
Moved Carver
Seconded Tipper
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Galindo
Gonzales-Gutierrez
McKean
Roberts
Soper
Tipper
Herod
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


03:27:36 PM
Motion Amended, referred to Full House for final action.
Moved Carver
Seconded Roberts
Benavidez No
Bockenfeld Yes
Carver Yes
Galindo Yes
Gonzales-Gutierrez Yes
McKean Yes
Roberts Yes
Soper Yes
Tipper Yes
Herod Yes
Weissman Yes
Final YES: 10   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


03:27:51 PM   The committee adjourned.






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