S_JUD_2023A 01/23/2023 01:33:46 PM Committee Summary

Fiscal note analysts made introductions and explained the fiscal notes process.  Staff included Aaron Carpenter, Clayton Mayfield, John Armstrong, and Erin Reynolds. 

The Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS) bill drafters introduced themselves to the committee and explained bill drafting and amendments.  The bill drafters included Conrad Imel, Jake Baus, Amber Paeoloemillio, Jane Ritter, and Michael Dohr.  . 

Jennifer Berman from OLLS explained the bill drafting process for sunset reviews. 

Mr Brian Tobias from the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) provided a brief overview of sunset reviews.   He proceeded to discuss the sunset report for the Evidence-based Practices Implementation for Capacity Advisory Board (EPIC) and answered questions from the committee. 

The EPIC sunset report may be reviewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ix57OFgHEuZDEQGeV9d1YCnOQ4wHiyq/view

Debbie Oldenettel, representing Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified about EPIC.  She explained that EPIC is no longer active and supported the sunset recommendation. 

Committee members discussed the discontinuation of the program. 

Senators Van Winkle and Moreno were assigned as the prime co-sponsors of the bill.  Committee members agreed to technical changes made by OLLS.

 

Vivienne Belmont, representing Colorado Office of Policy, Research and Regulatory Reform, Department of Regulatory Agencies, presented the sunset report about the Defense Counsel on First Appearance Grant Program. 

The report is found at this link:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ix57OFgHEuZDEQGeV9d1YCnOQ4wHiyq/view

Committee members asked questions about grant recipients and related distribution dollars.  Discussion ensued about the intent of the grant program and smaller municipalities. 

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

Committee members asked questions about the financial burden of providing defense counsel on a first appearance.  Questions were raised about grant funds distribution.  Further questions were asked about how municipalities are notified about the availability of grant funds. 

Representatives from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) testified about the program, including Bruce Eisenhauer, legislative liaison; Dave Bowman, deputy director, and Mitchell Cradduck, program manager.  They answered questions from the committee about funding and grant recipients.  

Committee discussion continued about data gathering, and defendants or offenses that are subject to the grant funds.   The DOLA representatives clarified that defendants who are facing the possibility of incarceration are certified to receive counsel on first appearance. 

The committee discussed adding a five year sunset to the draft bill. 

Senator Rodriguez agreed to be the prime bill sponsor, and the committee approved OLLS to make technical changes as needed. 

Jennifer Lockwood, representing Department of Regulatory Agencies, discussed the sunset report on human trafficking prevention training. 

The report may be read in its entirety here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lzd2mSPnBezvG0_gb9uMGm0agY_JiNVi/view

Kelly Kissell, representing Colorado Department of Public Safety - Division of Criminal Justice, testified about the program. 

Committee members asked questions about program registration and population served. 

Senators Ginal and Van Winkle were designated as co-prime sponsors, with Senators Gardner, Rodriguez, and Gonzales as co-sponsors. 

Committee members did not object to OLLS making technical changes as needed.