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S_JUD_2021A 04/15/2021 01:33:03 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date 04/15/2021
Attendance
Cooke X
Gardner X
Rodriguez X
Gonzales X
Lee X
Time 01:33:03 PM to 03:51:52 PM
Place SCR 352
This Meeting was called to order by Lee
This Report was prepared by Juliann Jenson
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB21-1091 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
HB21-1057 Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
HB21-1060 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB21-146 Lay Over

HB21-1091 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar


01:33:21 PM  

Senator Buckner, sponsor, explained House Bill 21-1091, concerning sentencing parity for juveniles convicted as adults following the transfer of charges with juveniles convicted as adults following the direct filing of charges.  She discussed how the bill remedies a technical error. 

01:36:54 PM  

Ann Roan, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the different avenues in which kids can be convicted as adults

 

Mr Arnold Hanuman, representing CDAC, testified in support of the bill.

 

 

01:43:22 PM  
Senator Bucker discussed and distributed
Amendment L. 002 (Attachment B), which makes conforming changes.


01:43:24 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment A)
Moved Gonzales
Seconded
Cooke
Gardner
Rodriguez
Gonzales
Lee
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
01:48:31 PM  

Senator Buckner made closing remarks.



01:50:06 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 21-1091, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Gonzales
Seconded
Cooke Yes
Gardner Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Gonzales Yes
Lee Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB21-1057 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar


01:50:37 PM  

Senators Cooke and Rodriguez, co-prime sponsors, explained House Bill 21-1057, concerning a prohibition against the extortion of immigrants for engaging in lawful acts.  They discussed how the bill closes a loophole in current extortion statutes.  

01:54:00 PM  

Mr. Christian Gardner-Wood, representing Boulder County DAs Office, testified in support of the bill. He discussed criminal extortion, threats of immigration, domestic violence, and vulnerable populations. 

01:59:30 PM  

Mrs. Zarah Levy , representing Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy and Research Organization, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed victims of crime. 

 

Written testimony is in Attachment B.

02:03:14 PM  

Senators Rodriguez and Cooke made closing remarks.



02:04:18 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 21-1057 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Cooke
Seconded
Cooke Yes
Gardner Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Gonzales Yes
Lee Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB21-1060 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole


02:04:44 PM  

Senator Gonzales, sponsor, explained House Bill 21-1060, concerning the certifiation process for the purpose of appliation for U nonimmigrant status. She discussed U visas and and the benefits of standardizing the process.

02:12:59 PM  

Mrs. Alyssa Reed, representing self, testified in support of the bill. She explained the U visa process.  

 

Dr. Kathleen Van Voorhis, representing Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She discussed trauma and victims of violent crimes.

02:20:36 PM  

Ms. Ashley Harrington, representing RMIAN (Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network), testified in support of the bill.

 

Alejandra Cardona Lamas, representing self, testified in support of the bill. She discussed her experiences as U visa recipient.  

 

Salvador Hernandez, representing Mi Familia Vota, testified in support of the bill. He discussed his experiences as a U visa recipient. 

 

Written testimony is in Attachment C. 

02:30:37 PM  

Senator Gonzales made closing remarks.



02:35:13 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 21-1060 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Gonzales
Seconded
Cooke No
Gardner No
Rodriguez Yes
Gonzales Yes
Lee Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB21-146 - Lay Over


02:35:23 PM  

Senator Lee, sponsor, explained Senate Bill 21-146, concerning measures to improve prison release outcomes.   He walked the committee through the sections of the bill and discussed special needs parole, pre-release planning, medical insurance plans, public defender liaison, and earned time. 

 

 

02:52:35 PM  

Senator Lee continued to discuss changes the bill make to the Youthful Offender System and bed capacity. 

02:55:12 PM  

Mr. Aaron Greco, representing Colorado Department of Corrections/ Governor Polis,  testified to amend the bill.  He raised concerns about earned time, providing health insurance post-incarceration, and definitions of special needs parole. Committee members asked about the stakeholder process. 

02:59:02 PM  

Tristan Gorman, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed walk-away escapees and unauthorized absences and answered questions from the committee. 

 

 

03:05:14 PM  

Christie Donner, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed pre-release planning and reentry challenges. 

Committee members discussed previous reiterations of this bill and enforcement provisions. 

 

03:15:59 PM  

Further discussoin ensued about previous legislative efforts, special needs parole, and prison and community-based services. 

03:19:14 PM  

Ms Maureen Cain, representing the Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed older offenders, parole eligibility dates, a public defender liaison position, and competency to proceed. 

 

 

03:27:43 PM  

Ms. JoyBelle Phelan, representing self, testified in support of the bill. She discussed pre-release planning.

Ms. Kelly McCullough, representing Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She discussed continuity of care.

03:34:06 PM  

Ms. Katherine-Marcy Carrington, representing self, testified in support of the bill.  She discussed her elderly father's incarceration. 

Terri Hurst, representing Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, testified in support of the bill. She discussed Medicare and Medicaid. 

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

 

Written testimony is in Attachment D.

03:50:22 PM  

Senator Lee explained Amendment L.001 (Attachment E). 

 

Senator Lee asked the bill to be laid over to work on the amendments.  The Chair laid the bill over until further notice. 



03:51:05 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment E)
Moved Lee
Seconded
Cooke
Gardner
Rodriguez
Gonzales
Lee
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


03:51:52 PM   The committee adjourned.