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S_JUD_2016A 04/11/2016 01:31:13 PM Committee Summary

Final

STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING



SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Date: 04/11/2016
ATTENDANCE
Time: 01:31 PM to 04:58 PM
Cooke
X
Merrifield
X
Place: LSB B
Ulibarri
X
Lundberg
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Roberts
X
Senator Roberts
This Report was prepared by
Conrad Imel
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB16-1129

SB16-056

SB16-111

HB16-1308

HB16-1268
Laid Over

Amended, Referred to Appropriations

Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Postponed Indefinitely

Referred to the Committee of the Whole





01:31 PM -- HB16-1129



Senator Roberts, chair, called the committee to order. A quorum was present. Senator Crowder and Senator Heath, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 16-1129, concerning measures for enhanced enforcement against acts of charitable fraud. Senator Roberts announced that the bill would be laid over following the hearing. Senator Lundberg and the committee discussed the bill.



01:41 PM --
Ms. Alissa Gardenswartz, representing the Colorado Attorney General's Office, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Gardenswartz discussed reasons the bill is necessary, including specific situations addressed by the bill. She also discussed the bill's provisions. Ms. Gardenswartz responded to questions regarding the scope of the law.





01:51 PM



Ms. Gardenswartz continued to respond to questions regarding the scope of the bill and specific provisions in the bill.





























02:01 PM



Ms. Gardenswartz continued to respond to questions about specific provisions of the bill.



02:10 PM --
Mr. Mark Turner, representing the Colorado Nonprofit Association, testified in support of the bill. He spoke favorably of the bill and its deterrent effects. He responded to questions regarding the bonding requirement in the bill, and who the Colorado Nonprofit Association represents.



02:19 PM --
Ms. Peg Ackerman, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She stated specific support for provisions of the bill that address misrepresenting law enforcement to fraudulently raise funds.





02:22 PM



Senator Crowder provided closing remarks on the bill. Senator Roberts laid over the bill.





02:24 PM



The committee recessed.





02:25 PM -- SB16-056



The committee returned to order. Senator Lambert presented Senate Bill 16-056, concerning broadening protections of the state whistleblower protection law for state employees who disclose confidential information to certain state entities that have legal requirements to preserve the confidentiality of the information disclosed. Senator Lambert distributed and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment A). Senator Lambert explained the necessity of the bill.



16SenateJud0411AttachA.pdf16SenateJud0411AttachA.pdf



02:32 PM --
Ms. Denise Maes, representing the ACLU of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Maes discussed privacy concerns associated with the bill and amendment L.001.



02:36 PM --
Mr. Kevin Klein, representing the Colorado Department of Public Safety, provided neutral testimony on the bill. Mr. Klein discussed security concerns with the bill as amended by amendment L.001.



02:39 PM --
Ms. Jennifer Anderson, representing the Colorado Attorney General's Office, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Anderson stated strong support for the bill, and discussed concerns with existing law that are addressed by the bill. She responded to questions regarding procedures used under existing law.























02:45 PM



Senator Lambert provided closing remarks on the bill.

BILL: SB16-056
TIME: 02:49:57 PM
MOVED: Lundberg
MOTION: Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Merrifield
Ulibarri
Lundberg
Roberts
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL: SB16-056
TIME: 02:50:24 PM
MOVED: Lundberg
MOTION: Refer Senate Bill 16-056, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Ulibarri
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Roberts
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS































02:51 PM -- SB16-111



Senator Lambert, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-111, concerning authorizing the Colorado Mounted Rangers as certified reserve peace officers. Senator Lambert discussed the need for mounted rangers to have peace officer certification, and specific instances in which such certification would be beneficial. Senator Lambert distributed and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment B).



16SenateJud0411AttachB.pdf16SenateJud0411AttachB.pdf



02:59 PM --
Ms. Peg Ackerman, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Ackerman stated support for establishing a task force.



03:00 PM --
Mr. Kevin Klein, representing the Colorado Department of Public Safety and the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, testified in support of the bill.



03:01 PM --
Mr. Scott Turner, representing the Colorado Attorney General's Office, and Mr. Cory Amend, representing the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, made themselves available for questions; there were no questions.



03:01 PM --
Col. Ronald Abramson, representing the Colorado Mounted Rangers, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the role of mounted rangers, and the benefits of the bill. He responded to questions regarding qualifications for becoming a mounted ranger, and the authority of the rangers.





03:07 PM



The committee and Senator Lambert discussed the bill and issues discussed during witness testimony.

BILL: SB16-111
TIME: 03:09:03 PM
MOVED: Lundberg
MOTION: Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Merrifield
Ulibarri
Lundberg
Roberts
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection












BILL: SB16-111
TIME: 03:09:19 PM
MOVED: Lundberg
MOTION: Refer Senate Bill 16-111, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Ulibarri
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Roberts
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS





03:10 PM -- HB16-1308



Senator Newell, sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1308, concerning the offense of intentional misrepresentation of a service animal. Senator Newell discussed the reasons for bringing the bill, and explained the bill's provisions. She distributed and explained amendment L.002 (Attachment C) and L.003 (Attachment D).



16SenateJud0411AttachC.pdf16SenateJud0411AttachC.pdf 16SenateJud0411AttachD.pdf16SenateJud0411AttachD.pdf



03:20 PM --
Ms. Sonja McKenzie, representing the Cherry Creek School District, testified in support of the bill. She discussed issues with animals that arise in a school setting.



03:23 PM --
Ms. Joan LaBelle, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She discussed her experience with service animals.



03:26 PM --
Ms. DebiSue Polsley, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated her concerns with the bill and her experience with a service animal.



03:30 PM --
Ms. Lauren Fortmiller, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She explained concerns with the punitive measures of the law and its potential deterrent effects. She also discussed ADA standards concerning service animals, and issues surrounding enforcement concerns. Senator Lundberg and Ms. Fortmiller discussed the bill.



03:37 PM --
Ms. Alison Daniels, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. She distributed written information to the committee. Ms. Daniels discussed her concerns with the bill, and stated that existing laws should be enforced. She also discussed concerns regarding notifying people about the law.

















03:41 PM --
Ms. Christina Johnson, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She discussed concerns regarding criminalizing certain people under the bill's provisions.



03:43 PM --
Ms. RJ Stoker, representing We the People, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated agreement with prior testimony opposing the bill. She discussed concerns about people being charged under the bill, and the effect that may have on those people's government benefits.



03:45 PM --
Ms. Francesca Maes, representing Good Dogs Service Dogs, testified in opposition to HB 16-1308, and stated agreement with prior testimony opposing the bill. She discussed enforcement concerns, and issues that the bill may raise.



03:48 PM --
Dr. Kathleen Haley, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated concerns raised by the bill for people with invisible disabilities. Dr. Haley also discussed situations in which the bill may apply, and options available under existing laws.



03:53 PM --
Ms. Pamela Thiele, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated that the bill would be detrimental for the invisibly disabled.



03:55 PM --
Ms. Caitlin Brady, representing Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her experience taking a service animal in businesses.



03:57 PM --
Ms. Carolyn Haas, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. She discussed issues that will be alleviated by the bill, including issues surrounding self-training guide dogs. Ms. Haas also discussed means available to identify service animals.



04:02 PM --
Ms. Ann Clement, representing the Colorado Retail Council, testified in support of the bill.



04:03 PM -- Mr. Paul O'Brien, representing Canine Companions for Independence, testified in support of the bill. He discussed training service animals and his reasons for supporting the bill. Mr. O'Brien responded to questions regarding the cost of training a service animal, how the bill affects those who may not be able to afford a formally trained service dog, and investigation and enforcement under the bill.



04:11 PM --
Ms. Brianne Corbett, representing Freedom Service Dogs, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her experience training and handling service dogs. She also stated the importance of public education of the bill.



04:14 PM -- Ms. Janee Boswell, representing the Colorado Association of Animal Control Officers, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Boswell discussed a specific incident related to determining the legitimacy of a service dog, and responded to a question about laws violated in that incident.



04:18 PM --
Ms. Peg Ackerman, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She stated that animal control officers supported the bill, and that she hoped the bill would serve as a deterrent.



04:19 PM -- Mr. David Wolf, representing Domino Service Dogs, testified in support of the bill. He explained the costs associated with training a service animal, and the possible demeanor and actions of dogs that are not trained as service animals.





04:23 PM -- Mr. Mark Simon, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Simon distributed written testimony to the committee (Attachment E). Mr. Simon discussed existing laws and procedures concerning investigating service animals. He also addressed issues raised during prior testimony and discussed an incident where a fraudulent service animal bit another person after being allowed in a store.

16SenateJud0411AttachE.pdf16SenateJud0411AttachE.pdf



04:28 PM -- Ms. Dawn Howard, representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Howard stated that service animals should be protected.



04:29 PM --
Mr. Kyle Walpole, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He discussed enforcement of existing law under the Americans with Disabilities Act and by law enforcement. He discussed the effects of situations where people fraudulently represent an animal as a service animal. Mr. Walpole responded to questions regarding the sale of service animal certification and identification material, such as patches or vests.



04:35 PM --
Ms. Christine McGroarty, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. McGroarty discussed her, and others', experiences with service animals and interactions with fraudulent service animals.





04:39 PM



Senator Newell explained amendments L.002 and L.003.

BILL: HB16-1308
TIME: 04:41:11 PM
MOVED: Merrifield
MOTION: Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Merrifield
Ulibarri
Lundberg
Roberts
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection




















BILL: HB16-1308
TIME: 04:41:26 PM
MOVED: Merrifield
MOTION: Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Merrifield
Ulibarri
Lundberg
Roberts
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection





04:41 PM



Senator Newell provided closing remarks on the bill.





04:46 PM



Committee members discussed their positions on the bill.

BILL: HB16-1308
TIME: 04:51:16 PM
MOVED: Merrifield
MOTION: Refer House Bill 16-1308, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 2-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
No
Merrifield
Yes
Ulibarri
Yes
Lundberg
No
Roberts
No
YES: 2 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL




















BILL: HB16-1308
TIME: 04:51:37 PM
MOVED: Lundberg
MOTION: Postpone House Bill 16-1308 indefinitely using a reversal of the previous roll call. There was no objection to the use of the reverse roll call, therefore, the bill was postponed indefinitely.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Merrifield
Ulibarri
Lundberg
Roberts
Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection





04:52 PM



The committee recessed.





04:54 PM -- HB16-1268



The committee returned to order. Senator Cooke, sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1268, concerning district attorney representation in certain hearings arising from interstate supervision compacts.



04:55 PM --
Ms. Devon Whitefield, representing Colorado Probation, made herself available for questions.



04:56 PM --
Ms. Christina Rosendahl, representing the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC), testified in support of the bill. She stated concerns that the bill may impact DOC's interstate compact agreements.






































BILL: HB16-1268
TIME: 04:58:21 PM
MOVED: Cooke
MOTION: Refer House Bill 16-1268 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Ulibarri
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Roberts
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS





04:58 PM



The committee adjourned.


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