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J_LS_2022A 01/20/2022 09:03:58 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL SERVICES
Date 01/20/2022
Attendance
Bacon X
Buckner X
Cooke X
Gardner X
Rodriguez X
Snyder X
Van Winkle X
Weissman X
Soper X
Lee X
Time 09:03:58 AM to 09:31:37 AM
Place Old State Library
This Meeting was called to order by Lee
This Report was prepared by Courtney Dunaway
Hearing Items Action Taken
Election of Committee Chair and Vice-chair Chair and Vice-chair elected
Schedule meetings during the session Committee Discussion Only
Responses to request for letters of interest Committee Discussion Only
Other Committee Discussion Only

Election of Committee Chair and Vice-chair - Chair and Vice-chair elected
09:04:09 AM  

The Committee discussed nominating a new chair and vice-chair.
09:04:32 AM  
Senator Gardner nominated Representative
Weissman as chair.


09:05:15 AM
 Motion Elect Representative Weissman as chair
Moved Gardner
Seconded
Bacon Yes
Buckner Yes
Cooke Yes
Gardner Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Snyder Yes
Van Winkle Yes
Weissman Yes
Soper Yes
Lee Yes
YES: 10   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
09:06:21 AM  
Representative Weissman nominated Senator
Gardner as vice-chair.


09:07:24 AM
 Motion Elect Senator Gardner as vice-chair
Moved Weissman
Seconded
Bacon Yes
Buckner Yes
Cooke Yes
Gardner Yes
Rodriguez Yes
Snyder Yes
Van Winkle Yes
Weissman Yes
Soper Yes
Lee Yes
YES: 10   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
09:08:02 AM  

The Committee expressed its thanks for the service of the previous chair and vice-chair, and Senator Lee turned the gavel over to the new chair and vice-chair.



Schedule meetings during the session - Committee Discussion Only
09:11:10 AM  
Representative Weissman suggested, based
on input from staff, scheduling meetings on the third Thursday of each
month through the legislative session.
09:12:02 AM  

The Committee agreed to the proposed schedule. Committee meetings will be held on February 17, March 17, and April 21.



Responses to request for letters of interest - Committee Discussion Only
09:13:33 AM  
Sharon Eubanks, director of the Office of
Legislative Legal Services, reminded the Committee that they agreed to
issue a request for letters of interest (RFLI) at the Committee's November
meeting to solicit attorneys who are interested in representing the General
Assembly, legislators, and agencies and employees of the legislative branch.
09:15:07 AM  
Ms. Eubanks testified that the Office of
Legislative Legal Services received no letters of interest by the deadline
for submitting responses and discussed the possible reasons for the lack
of interest.
09:16:27 AM  
Senator Gardner asked whether the Office
had reached out to previous counsel to inquire whether there was anything
about the RFLI that discouraged them from sending a letter of interest
this time.
09:17:29 AM  
Ms. Eubanks testified that the Office did
not reach out to previous counsel to have them submit letters of interest
but was anticipating continuing to include them on the list of attorneys
that the Committee would consider in appointing counsel.
09:18:15 AM  
Senator Gardner explained that there must
be something wrong with the RFLI or the RFLI process if no one submitted
a letter and asked whether the Committee wants to reopen the RFLI by extending
the deadline for responses.
09:19:58 AM  
Ms. Eubanks explained that the Office can
easily repost the RFLI if the Committee thinks it would be beneficial.
09:21:33 AM  
Ms. Eubanks testified that it would be helpful
to get more information on why people were discouraged from submitting
letters of interest.
09:21:44 AM  
Representative Soper asked about the 10-year
experience requirement in the RFLI.
09:23:10 AM  
Ms. Eubanks explained that the RFLI includes
the 10-year experience requirement as one of many factors that the Committee
may consider and that the Committee is not bound to the 10 years if they
believe a candidate is qualified otherwise.
09:24:46 AM  
Representative Weissman agreed that the
Committee may consider a candidate with fewer years of experience.
09:25:19 AM  
Representative Weissman discussed placing
another online ad with the Colorado Bar Association for the RFLI.
09:27:07 AM  
Representative Weissman, seeing no objection
from the Committee, directed the Office to purchase another ad for the
RFLI.
09:27:40 AM  
The Committee set March 1, 2022, as the
new RFLI response deadline.
09:28:30 AM  
Representative Snyder asked whether the
Office should check with attorneys who have represented the General Assembly
in the past and see if they continue to be interested in representing the
General Assembly.
09:29:22 AM  
Ms. Eubanks testified that she'd be happy
to reach out to attorneys who provided previous representation.



Other - Committee Discussion Only
09:31:21 AM  
No other business.


09:31:37 AM   The committee adjourned.






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