RMFU: Colorado Legislature Hits The Halfway Point
By Ed Bowditch, RMFU Government Relations For Colorado
This week, the legislature officially passed the halfway point of session. This year’s major pieces of legislation are quickly moving through the process to make way for other priorities still being introduced. Leading the pack, legislation addressing sex education and gun safety have both passed the House and are making their way through the Senate.
Coming in quickly just behind them is the new oil and gas reform bill, which passed Senate Energy Tuesday, Finance Thursday, and Appropriations by Friday. Meanwhile, two more major bills were introduced last week: one repeals the death penalty and the other mandates paid family leave insurance. With major legislation consuming the time of lawmakers, floor work and committee hearings are beginning to be held well past midnight. We anticipate more long nights ahead as legislators hope to make enough time for major legislative efforts in addition to the hundreds of other bills still hoping to make it to the governor’s desk. Our total bill count has slowed at only 412 bills introduced to date, about 100 fewer bills than this time last year. Meanwhile, the Governor signed more bills into law including state agency supplemental appropriations and stipends to certified school professionals.
Here is RMFU’s full bill report.
Bill action this week:
- HB19-1113 Protect Water Quality Adverse Mining Impacts – passed Senate Ag.
- SB19-139 More Colorado Road And Community Safety Act Offices – passed Senate Approps.
- HB19-1114 Agriculture Commissioner Farm Produce Safety – passed Senate 3rd reading.
- HB19-1132 School Incentives To Use Colorado Food And Producers – passed House Ed.
- HB19-1148 Change Maximum Criminal Penalty One Year To 364 Days – passed Senate Judiciary and 2nd and 3rd readings.
- HB19-1191 Allow Farm Stands On Any Size Principal Use Site – passed House Ag and 2nd and 3rd readings.
- HB19-1202 Food Systems Advisory Council – passed House Rural Affairs.
Upcoming bill action:
- HB19-1124 Protect CO Residents From Fed Govt Overreach – faces House Transport & Local Govt 3/20.
SB19-186 Expand Ag Chemical Management Program Protect Surface Water – faces Senate Ag 3/21.