Keywords: 981, all

Keywords: 981, all

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, led the Pledge of Allegiance with visiting children from Creativity Challenge Community, and approved the journal as corrected. The day was marked by several recognitions and announcements, including Sportsman Day, Lineman Day, and a CEA Lobby Day, with members offering brief tributes to professional linemen, Colorado sportsmen and conservationists, and education retirees and children visiting the Capitol. Members also announced committee schedules for the day and the next day. Committees set to meet included Appropriations, Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources, Business Affairs and Labor, Finance, Energy and Environment, and Education, with specific bills listed for each committee. One committee, State Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs, announced it would not meet that day. The only formal action beyond the journal approval was a motion by the Majority Leader to lay over the balance of the calendar until Friday, April 24, 2026, which was adopted without objection. The House then moved to recess until later that day.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a series of committee reports and appointment recommendations. Reports included several bills being amended and referred onward, along with confirmations for appointments to the Colorado State University System Board of Governors and the Western Colorado University Board of Trustees. The chamber also suspended a rule to allow a child to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and later recognized visiting Scout Troop 873 from Highlands Ranch and the Colorado Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol, including a tribute to the Colorado Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and remarks about conservation, hunting, and angling. The Senate also honored the Be Well Health and Wellness Initiative for 23 years of work on health equity, community wellness, and resident-driven system change, with remarks highlighting its community engagement model and efforts to address social determinants of health. In addition, the chamber recognized legislative aides, interns, and staff with a tribute praising their work supporting senators and the legislative process. These recognitions were largely ceremonial and were met with applause and supportive remarks from members. The main policy item taken up was Senate Bill 149, concerning pathways for individuals with mental health disorders who are incompetent to stand trial. Senators Amabile and Simpson described the bill as a response to longstanding gaps in treatment and placement options for people found incompetent to proceed, especially those who are dangerous and not likely to be restored. They said the bill was developed over many months with input from prosecutors, public defenders, and budget staff, and emphasized public safety and the need to avoid releasing people when no appropriate placement exists. Senator Coram Reyer spoke in support, citing a local case involving a violent defendant who was released and later threatened people with a gun. The Committee of the Whole adopted the Judiciary and Appropriations committee reports on SB 149, and then considered amendment L049 from Senator Marble, which would reduce certain judicial staffing assumptions by half while preserving capital and IT funding and allowing the judiciary to return through the normal budget process if needed. Senators Marble and Simpson supported the amendment, describing the fiscal estimates as uncertain and the bill’s implementation as still being in flux. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of the amendment or the bill vote is shown.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received committee and conference reports. Committee actions included favorable reports on several appropriations and local government bills, postponement of some measures indefinitely, and a conference committee report on House Bill 1357 concerning the teacher recruitment, education, and preparation program and related appropriations. The chamber also received a House message indicating House Bill 140 had been postponed indefinitely. The main floor action was consideration of Senate Joint Resolution 24, designating May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Supporters described motorcycle riding as part of Colorado culture and emphasized safety, rider education, and sharing the road. The resolution was adopted 33-0, and ABATE of Colorado was recognized in connection with the measure. The Senate then moved into special orders and took up Senate Bill 116, which as amended focused on property tax changes, including setting the business personal property exemption ceiling at $58,000 without future inflation adjustment and aligning dates for the portable senior property tax exemption pilot. Senator Weissman argued the changes simplified administration and were fiscally prudent, while Senators Pelton and Frizell opposed the bill, saying the business property tax cap would hurt small businesses and that the portable senior exemption’s sunset would raise taxes for affected seniors. The debate continued as the bill was considered in committee of the whole.

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Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from April 23, and then moved through announcements and recognitions before taking up third-reading business. Members recognized a guest connected to the Mason Museum and Learning Center in Aurora, honored the family of a bicyclist killed in a 2021 hit-and-run, and heard reminders about open enrollment and an upcoming Auctioneer Day fundraiser for nonpartisan staff. The chamber also welcomed guests from Concerned Women for America and celebrated a pair of birthdays with the capital choir. On legislation, Senate Bill 95, concerning measures to support victim survivors of certain crimes without changing substantive criminal offenses, passed third reading 58-0 with five excused. House Bill 1132, which would increase pollinator habitats through conservation of native plant materials on state lands, passed 43-18 with four excused. House Bill 1130, requiring baby diaper changing stations in public restrooms, drew extensive debate: supporters said it would improve accessibility for parents and that small businesses were exempted or given flexibility, while opponents argued it was an unfunded mandate that would burden small businesses, raise installation and liability costs, and create safety and maintenance concerns. The bill ultimately passed 35-28 with two excused. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 136, requiring reporting of missing livestock to the Department of Agriculture, by a vote of 63-0 with two excused, and House Bill 1287, continuing certain Division of Real Estate regulatory functions under the sunset process, by a vote of 49-14 with two excused. Senate Bill 43 was laid over until Monday. At the end of the excerpt, the House began receiving committee reports from Appropriations, listing several bills recommended for referral onward.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved through a series of announcements and committee notices. Members highlighted upcoming events including Sportsman’s Day at the Capitol, Auctioneer Day, and an Earth Day press conference, and several committees announced meetings and bills to be heard later in the day. The Majority Leader also moved to make House Bill 1132, House Bill 1130, Senate Bill 136, and House Bill 1287 special orders for the next day, and the House agreed without objection. The chamber then took up House Bill 1132, concerning increasing pollinator habitats on state lands. Supporters said the bill builds on years of work to support pollinators and encourages planting native species on public lands; they also explained that the fiscal note reflects use of existing continuously appropriated funds, including GOCO lottery money and oil and gas fee revenue. After committee reports were adopted and questions about funding were answered, the bill passed as amended. The House next considered House Bill 1130, concerning baby diaper changing stations in public restrooms. An amendment was adopted that exempted local governments and expanded the small-business carveout to employers with 25 or fewer employees and no more than $3.5 million in annual revenue, while also clarifying restroom designation. Supporters argued the bill was the product of extensive stakeholder work and would improve access for families. Opponents said it imposed an unfunded mandate on businesses and raised concerns about contamination in public restrooms, including claims that some changing tables have been found contaminated with methamphetamine and fentanyl; after debate, the amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several committee reports and House messages. Committee reports advanced a number of bills and appointments, including Senate Bill 163, House Bill 1320, Senate Bill 160, House Bill 1210, and several board and commission appointments recommended for the consent calendar. The chamber also received House action on multiple bills, including concurrence in Senate amendments to House Bills 1239, 1262, and 1110, a request for a conference committee on House Bill 1084, and transmission of several other measures to the Revisor of Statutes. The Senate then took up Senate Joint Resolution 22, designating July 12-18, 2026, as Plastic Pollution Awareness Week. Senator Cutter spoke in support, arguing that plastic pollution harms environmental and human health, disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, and cannot be solved by recycling alone. The resolution was adopted on a 25-9 vote, with several senators recorded in opposition, and co-sponsors were noted. The chamber also recognized guests from the Colorado Society of Enrolled Agents and the National Association of Tax Professionals, as well as visitors from the Colorado School of Mines and former Senator John Evans. Later, the Senate considered special orders on the consent calendar, including House Bills 103, 1026, and 1051, and adopted the committee reports and the bills. House Bill 1026 was amended and House Bill 1051 was advanced to third reading and final passage. The Senate also took up Senate Bill 117, concerning permissible methods for the sale of lottery tickets. Senator Bridges explained that the bill was intended to respond to lottery rules allowing online sales and credit card purchases, but said the measure had been narrowed in committee and then raised constitutional concerns under Colorado’s prohibition on slot machines outside limited gaming areas. The transcript ends during that debate, before final action on Senate Bill 117 is shown.

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Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several housekeeping notices, including corrected engrossments/enrollments and committee reports. The Committee on Education reported Senate Bill 23, and the Committee on Judiciary reported Senate Bill 149, both amended and referred to Appropriations with favorable recommendation. The chamber also recognized former Representative Lang Sias as a special guest and heard several moments of personal privilege, including introductions of guests connected to the Boulder Boulder race and the Leadership Program of the Rockies. The Senate then took up Senate Resolution 6, designating April 2026 as National Donate Life Month. Supporters highlighted Colorado’s high donor registration rate, the work of Donor Alliance, and personal stories about organ and tissue donation saving lives. The resolution was adopted 34-0, with the current roll call added as co-sponsors. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 7, designating April 2026 as Second Chance Month. Proponents emphasized the impact of collateral consequences on people with criminal records, the importance of employment and reentry, and the value of redemption and public safety; the resolution passed 34-0 and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. Finally, the Senate considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, recognizing Young Americans Bank and the Young Americans Center for Financial Education for their contributions to financial literacy education in Colorado. The resolution cited House Bill 25-1192’s new financial literacy requirements and praised the organizations’ experiential learning model and statewide reach. Senators spoke about Bill Daniels’ legacy and the programs’ impact on students, including testimony that the institutions have served hundreds of thousands of Colorado youth. The resolution was read at length and discussed, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received messages from the House on several bills and conference committee matters. The House concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 1305, 1373, and 1406, repassing them as amended, and requested conference committees on a number of other bills. The Senate also noted several bills and resolutions as correctly engrossed or revised. On the consent calendar, the Senate passed House Bill 1110 on protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation, Senate Bill 78 on higher education administration and data-sharing changes, and Senate Bill 151 on PERA modifications. Senators Carson, Seymour Wilson, Baisley, Rich, and Liston asked to be recorded as no votes on SB 151, which passed 29-5. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 6 on parity for non-opioid pain management drugs; Senator Mallicoat opposed it as costly and too restrictive, while Senator Weisman and Senator Baisley supported it as a response to the opioid crisis. SB 6 passed 29-5. Senate Bill 15 on commercial sexual activity with a child and Senate Bill 101 on landfill methane emission compliance both passed unanimously. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 159 on early parole procedures for youthful offenders by a 22-12 vote, and Senate Bill 158 on youthful offender parole procedures by a 23-11 vote. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole for second reading of bills, beginning with House Bill 1071 on local governments placing automated vehicle identification systems on interstate highways. Amendments addressing privacy and local safety concerns were adopted, and the bill was approved. The committee then considered Senate Bill 150, a major RTD governance reform bill. Supporters said it would reduce the board size, add expertise, preserve elected representation, and respond to long-standing RTD performance problems; opponents raised concerns about appointed members, labor-seat conflicts, and whether voters should approve the changes. Multiple amendments were adopted, including changes to board term limits, public finance expertise, conflict-of-interest recusal, a future review after 15 years, and districting/petition provisions. One amendment requiring a ballot referral before the board changes was debated, with the sponsor urging a no vote and another senator arguing for asking the voters first.

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Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal. Members then made several announcements about upcoming committee meetings, including Appropriations, Agriculture/Water/Natural Resources, State/Civic/Military/Veterans Affairs, and Finance. The chamber also observed a moment of silence honoring the 13 victims of the Columbine High School shooting on its anniversary, with names read into the record. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 19, which celebrates Colorado’s sister-state relationship with Taiwan, supports stronger trade and academic ties, supports the double-taxation agreement, and endorses Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. Supporters highlighted Colorado exports, especially beef, and the long-standing economic and democratic ties between Colorado and Taiwan. The resolution passed on a 60-yes vote with five excused. The House then moved into special orders, including House Bill 1346, which would allow the Department of the Treasury to use a third-party purchaser to sell remaining insurance premium tax credits. Supporters argued the bill would help fully place the credits and avoid a revenue shortfall, while opponents criticized it as a form of borrowing against future revenue and market gaming. After debate, House Bill 1346 passed. The chamber also began consideration of Senate Bill 40, a Prop 123 cleanup bill related to affordable home ownership and land banking. Amendments L16 and L17 passed, while amendment L18, which would have required more reporting on project costs and outcomes, failed. Debate on the bill centered on housing affordability, program flexibility, and whether the state is effectively measuring results.

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Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal from April 20, 2026. Members then made announcements about committee schedules, open enrollment, and the Bolder Boulder event, and welcomed guests from the Leadership Program of the Rockies. The House also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 20, recognizing April 9, 2026 as Home Education Day in Colorado, on a 60-2 vote with three excused. Supporters described home education as a longstanding family choice and emphasized parental rights and educational flexibility. The chamber then received committee reports, including an Appropriations Committee report advancing House Bills 1052, 1132, 1143, 1226, 1343, and 1344 to the Committee of the Whole. The Majority Leader moved several bills to special orders for April 21, 2026 at 9:20 a.m., and the motion was adopted without objection. The Committee of the Whole took up House Bill 1028, concerning second language diploma endorsements for graduating high school students. After adopting the appropriations report, the House passed the bill. Supporters said it would recognize bilingualism and Colorado’s diversity. The committee then considered House Bill 1143, concerning background checks for non-employment-based educational opportunities. The bill sponsor said it would allow qualified people without Social Security numbers to participate in internships, clinical placements, and volunteer opportunities by using alternative identification. Several members opposed the bill and supported amendments, arguing for employer or institutional choice, narrower definitions, and concerns about constitutional rights, tax compliance, and the breadth of the bill. Amendment L6 failed, and the transcript ends amid extended discussion of Amendment L7 regarding enforcement against public entities, with no final action on the bill shown in the excerpt.

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Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from April 16, 2026, and then moved to announcements and introductions. Representative Woodro welcomed fifth grade students from Denver Academy and recognized his son Ari on his 12th birthday, leading the chamber in singing happy birthday. The House then agreed to take up a memorial out of order. Senate Joint Memorial 1, honoring the late Senator Faith Winter, was read at length and supported with remarks describing her legislative work on transportation, climate, paid family and medical leave, environmental justice, women’s leadership, and bipartisan efforts. Representative Wilford and others spoke emotionally about her public service and personal impact. The memorial was adopted on a 50-10 vote, with 15 excused, and Representatives Rutinel and Lindsay were listed as co-sponsors. The chamber then considered committee reports and special orders. The Appropriations Committee reported several bills favorably, and the majority leader moved a slate of bills to special order. House Bill 1317, creating a unified system of post-secondary talent development and a transition plan for workforce development programs, was amended in committee to remove travel reimbursements, clarify adult learners’ inclusion, adjust advisory committee membership, and preserve type one status for affected departments; it passed the House. Senate Bill 85, concerning military protection orders in domestic violence cases, also passed after Judiciary Committee amendments clarifying law enforcement database checks. Senate Bill 95, supporting victim survivors of certain crimes, passed Judiciary but drew floor opposition from several members who argued the bill’s jury-related provisions conflicted with confrontation rights and due process; despite those concerns, the bill advanced after further debate continued.

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Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a long list of bill status reports and enrollments. It also introduced Senate Bill 168, concerning reporting of money handled by legislative caucuses, and Senate Bill 169, a non-substantive revision bill for the Colorado Revised Statutes. The chamber then agreed to proceed out of order for moments of personal privilege and recognized the Denver and Colorado Springs chapters of The Links, Incorporated for Lynx Day at the Capitol. The Senate next took up a special-order consent calendar containing House Bill 1110, Senate Bill 78, and Senate Bill 151. All three committee reports and the bills themselves were adopted without objection, and the Committee of the Whole report was later adopted by a 35-0 vote. As reported, Senate Bill 78 was amended, Senate Bill 151 passed second reading and was ordered engrossed, and House Bill 1110 was amended, passed second reading, and ordered revised for third reading and final passage. The chamber then moved to special orders on Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 15, and the transcript focuses mainly on Senate Bill 6, which would require health insurers to offer at least one non-opioid pain medication option. Supporters argued the bill would expand access to safer pain-management alternatives, reduce opioid addiction, and encourage innovation; several members shared personal or professional experiences with opioid harms. Opponents argued the bill would mandate newer, more expensive drugs when less costly alternatives already exist and could raise health care costs. The debate continued in the excerpt, but no final vote on Senate Bill 6 is shown here.

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Summary: The House convened with 58 members present and seven excused, establishing a quorum, and approved the April 15, 2026 journal as corrected. The chamber then moved through announcements recognizing visiting railroad workers, LIUNA Local 720, Colorado West Christian Schools, Religious Freedom Day, and several school and community groups, along with birthday acknowledgments and committee schedule notices. The House also adopted a motion to remove House Bill 1245 from special orders and returned it to the general orders second reading calendar, and set House Bills 1290, 1312, and 1321 as special orders. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 18, recognizing Nowruz and expressing support for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Supporters described Nowruz as a holiday of renewal and resilience and tied the resolution to solidarity with Iranian communities. Representative Zokaie also spoke at length about the personal impact of war on Iranian families and urged a vote. The resolution passed 59-2 with four excused. The chamber then considered several bills in committee report. House Bill 1290, concerning assault and clarifying sentencing, was amended in Judiciary to remove the medical professional provision and passed after testimony emphasizing strangulation as a serious warning sign in domestic violence cases; it then passed the House. House Bill 1312, dealing with peace officer participation, POST Board composition, academy training, and related grants, was amended for clarity and passed the Judiciary report and then the bill. House Bill 1321, modifying the School Security Disbursement Program, had the Education Committee report defeated, but amendments were adopted to broaden eligible service providers and adjust funding language; the bill then passed as amended.