In honor of the Academy Awards tonight, I am copying a tradition that former Sen. Pat Steadman (and JBC member) started when he was in the legislature of giving out awards for the best and worst bills so far this session. There has already been quite a bit of drama this session, so I could have chosen any number of bills or good actors, but in the interest of time, I have narrowed the awards to the following four:
Award for the Best Drama: HB19-1032 Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education. There seems to be quite a bit of drama surrounding this bill, and it hasn't even made its way to the Senate yet! Hundreds of concerned citizens flocked to the Capitol for its first hearing in the House with testimony lasting until midnight. The House then debated the bill all day long, with over 25 proposed amendments, before passing the bill on a partisan vote. Colorado does not require schools to teach sex education, but for schools that do offer it, they must use curriculum that is medically accurate, age appropriate, culturally sensitive, and inclusive of a positive youth development framework (already current law). The bill proposes two changes: It prohibits "abstinence only" approaches to sex ed, (but that doesn't mean abstinence won't be taught--it's the first item listed), and second, the bill incorporates new language on "consent." I suspect there will be plenty more plot twists and turns as the bill heads over to the Senate, making this bill one of the more interesting ones to watch.
HB19-1032 Sponsors Reps. Lontinne and Caraveo debating the bill in the House on 2nd Reading
Award for the Best Original Song: Rep. Jonathan Singer for SB19-042 National Popular Vote. This was another heavily debated bill that passed out of the Senate several weeks ago and out of the House this week. The bill concerns adoption of an agreement among the states to elect the president of the United States by national popular vote. This bill was a contender for Best Drama, but during the Third Reading debate in the House, Representative Jonathan Singer secured the best Original Song category with his Hamilton impression. While his musical technique was somewhat suspect, his creativity scores him big time points for the win.
Representative Jonathan Singer
"I'm Not Throwing Away My Vote"
Award for the Best Supporting Actor: Senator Jack Tate for SB19-068 Expand Disclosure Electioneering Communications. As many of you are already aware, I recently passed my bill in the Senate to crack down on dark money in politics by closing the electioneering communication disclosure loophole we inadvertently created when we moved our primary from August to June. We had been unsuccessful the last two years in getting that bill passed, but with the addition of Senator Jack Tate as my co-prime sponsor, we were able to make progress this year. He helped convince a number of his Republican colleagues of the necessity in closing this loophole. He delivered a powerful speech on Third Reading about the importance of fairness, earning him this best supporting actor award.
Sponsors Sens. Zenzinger & Tate debating
SB10-068 on Electioneering Communication
Award for Best Documentary: Rep. Tom Sullivan for HB19-1177 Extreme Risk Protection Order. This bill started in the House and passed out of its first hearing this week. On the day the bill was introduced, the sponsors had a press conference with law enforcement who came to support the measure, and Representative Tom Sullivan delivered an Oscar-worthy performance outlining his reasons for bringing the bill forward. The bill creates the ability for a family or household member or a law enforcement officer to petition the court for a temporary extreme risk protection order (ERPO). This is another bill that will be closely watched by many given the real-life drama of the Aurora Theater shooting that prompted the idea.
Colorado Rep. Tom Sullivan urges Republicans to talk to him about red flag legislation
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She also served as Senator for SD19 in 2014. Sen. Zenzinger is a member of the Joint Budget Committee, the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, a member of the Statutory Revision Committee, a member of the Interim School Finance Committee, and a board member of the Statewide Internet Portal Authority.
'Coffee With Constituents' this Thursday
Since we had to cancel our last coffee event due to bad weather, we have rescheduled for this coming Thursday. Please plan on joining us Thursday, February 28 from 7 am - 8 am. We are trying out a new location as well: Morning Story Restaurant, 8025 Sheridan Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003 (where the Egg & I used to be located). They will have menus available to order breakfast (at your own expense) and the coffee will be on us!
Legislative Reception with the
City of Westminster
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, we celebrated
President's Day and the Senate did not convene...
On Tuesday, I spoke on a panel about transportation at the
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce... I met with
PACE providers... On
JBC, we discussed potential legislation we will carry... I attended the
City of Westminster Legislative Reception...
On Wednesday, I attended the
Hunger Free Colorado legislative reception... On JBC, we met and voted on the Figure Setting for
Department of Natural Resources and Public Safety... I spoke with students who were advocating on behalf of
Conservation Colorado... I met with a group of constituents who were with
Women and Families Wednesday... I met with members of
LOGIC to talk about oil and gas reform... I met with students of
Metropolitan State University... I hosted
'What's Brewing at the Capitol' at SomePlace Else Brewery...
On Thursday, I spoke to the
Metro North Chamber of Commerce for their Day at the Capitol... I had a student shadow me from the
Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented... I participated in the
GT luncheon and Q&A session with the GT students... On JBC, we voted on the Figure Setting for the
Department of Labor and Employment, and reviewed
Capitol Construction Recommended Appropriations... I attended the
Colorado Health Care Association legislative reception... I met with constituents who were advocating on behalf of oil and gas reform...
On Friday, I attended a transportation meeting... I met with officials from the
Colorado Municipal League... and I attended the
Colorado Association of Cyber Schools legislative reception.
With advocates from Hunger Free Colorado and CD7 Indivisible
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
This week in JBC...
Monday, February 25
1:30 Consideration of Figure Setting Recommendations for the Office of the Governor
Tuesday, February 26
Upon Adjournment Consideration of Figure Setting Recommendations for the Departments of Human Services and State
2:00 Continuation of Figure Setting Recommendations
Wednesday, February 27
Upon Adjournment Consideration of Figure Setting Recommendations for the Legislative Branch
1:30 Consideration of Potential Legislation, and Continuation of Figure Setting Recommendations
With my GT Shadow Mana Setayesh for the CO Association of Gifted & Talented Day at the Capitol
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