H_JUD_2023A 04/11/2023 05:00:34 PM Committee Summary

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Lynch, prime sponsor, present House Bill 23-1164, concerning opioid harm reduction. Representative Lynch explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Lynch explained why he was asking for the bill to be postponed indefinitely.

Dr. Michael Neil, representing Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in opposition to the bill.

Discussion ensued regarding HB 23-1164.

Representatives Sharbini and Garcia, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 23-1258, concerning creating a task force to study the costs associated with drug crimes. The sponsors explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. They also explained the effect of amendments L.002 (Attachment A) and L.003 (Attachment B). Representative Sharbini responded to questions regarding including additional stakeholder representatives on the task force created by the bill, and the task force's study of housing.

Chief Terrence Gordon, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police - Thornton Police Department, testified in opposition to the bill.

Chief James Baird, representing Colorado Association of the Chiefs of Police - Breckenridge Police Department, testified in opposition to the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the inclusion of victims within the scope of the task force's studies, and the presupposition of an outcome by the task force. Discussion followed regarding the impacts of marijuana legalization. Chief Gordon responded to questions regarding assertions he made during his testimony. Discussion turned to the scope of the study conducted under HB 23-1258. Discussion returned to the likely conclusion of the study conducted under the bill.

Sandra Solon, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, answered some questions raised during earlier testimony. Discussion ensued regarding the position of the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police on the legality of certain substances, and membership in the task force created by HB 23-1258.

Discussion ensued regarding the meeting schedule for the HB 23-1258 task force under amendment L.003.

Representatives Garcia and Sharbini provided closing remarks in support of HB 23-1258. Various committee members provided their positions on the bill.

Representative Bacon, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-067, concerning a recidivism reduction program for persons sentenced to the Department of Corrections facilitated by program participants in partnership with the Department of Corrections. Representative Bacon explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Representative Bacon read a letter in support of the bill.

Mr. Adrian Martinez, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Martinez responded to questions regarding a prison rehabilitation program he initiated.

Matthew Server, representing Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of the bill.

Kayla Frawley, representing ProgressNow Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Manny Menendez, representing Veterans Healing Veterans, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Adrienne Sanchez, representing Colorado Department of Corrections, was available to answer committee questions, and provided some background. Ms. Sanchez responded to questions regarding why the program created by SB 23-067 cannot be created in the absence of legislation, and the population that would be impacted by the program. Ms. Sanchez responded to further questions regarding administration of the program

Representative Bacon explained the effect of amendment L.003 (Attachment C). Discussion ensued regarding the fiscal impact of the bill.

Representative Weissman discussed the merits of SB 23-067.

Representative Epps, co-prime sponsor, presented SB 23-072, concerning the continuation of the Defense Counsel on First Appearance Grant Program, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendations in the 2022 sunset report by the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Representative Epps explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Discussion ensued regarding the fiscal impact of the bill. Aaron Carpenter, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions about the fiscal impact. Representative Soper, co-prime sponsor, provided input on the merits of the bill.

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

Mitchell Craddock, representing Department of Local Affairs, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Craddock responded to questions raised during earlier discussion. Discussion ensued regarding a breakdown of program costs at the municipal level.

Representatives Epps and Soper provided closing remarks in support of SB 23-072.