Concerning the authority of the executive committee of the legislative council to establish policies for legislators to participate remotely in meetings of committees consisting of members from both chambers that are held at any time during ...
Summary
HB26-1068 expands the authority of the executive committee of the Legislative Council to set policies allowing legislators to participate remotely in certain committee meetings. Under current law, that authority already applies to interim committee meetings and to legislative proceedings during a disaster emergency. This bill adds another category: meetings of committees made up of members from both chambers that are convened at any time during the year, with an explicit exclusion for joint meetings of House and Senate committees of reference.
The bill also clarifies the compensation and expense rules for remote participation. A legislator who participates electronically in an interim committee meeting is deemed present for purposes of receiving legislative compensation, but the bill preserves the existing limitation that such members are not entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred because of that electronic participation. The measure includes a safety clause, indicating the General Assembly viewed it as immediately necessary.
Impact
The bill amends Colorado Revised Statutes section 2-3-303, broadening the executive committee of the Legislative Council’s rulemaking authority over electronic participation in legislative committee meetings. Its practical effect is to permit remote attendance policies for year-round bicameral committees, while leaving joint meetings of House and Senate committees of reference outside that authorization. It also preserves the current compensation treatment for remote interim participation and continues to bar expense reimbursement for that participation.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript debate and no recorded votes, so there is no documented opposition or support in the provided materials. The bill’s enactment and safety clause suggest it was treated as a procedural modernization measure rather than a controversial policy change. Overall, the sentiment appears neutral to favorable, focused on administrative flexibility and continuity of legislative operations.
Contention
The main policy distinction in the bill is between different kinds of legislative committees. The bill authorizes remote participation for committees composed of members from both chambers that meet at any time of year, but it expressly excludes joint meetings of House and Senate committees of reference. Another point that could matter to legislators is the compensation rule: remote interim participation counts as attendance for pay purposes, but no expenses are reimbursable. No specific stakeholder objections or competing positions are reflected in the provided discussion materials.