Quick update on legislative bills so far this session
I'm writing to you today from my sick bed. It looks like I may have contracted a nasty virus and have spent the weekend trying to recuperate. Nevertheless, I didn't want to miss an opportunity to update you on what we worked on this week in the legislature.
Speaking at the IDD Awareness Day Luncheon
Speaking of viruses, here's an update on Senate Bill 163 on the school entry immunization process. The Senate approved the bill and it will now head to the House. I had a really good meeting with several constituents who pointed out concerns with the bill. I forwarded those concerns to the bill's sponsor and we amended the bill 10 times to address the issues. I think the bill now strikes the right balance of preserving the exemption process while also striving to improve our vaccination rates.
At this point in the session, most of my Senate bills have already made their way through committee or have passed onto the House, and many of my House bills are making their way to the Senate. So far, I'm working on 26 bills, 24 of which have a Republican co-sponsor. Three of my bills have been introduced and assigned to a committee, but have not been heard yet. Four of my bills are from the Statutory Revision Committee, two are on behalf of the Joint Budget Committee, and one is a sunset bill. Seventeen of my bills have either passed through the Senate, the House, or a Committee of Reference unanimously.
For more information on the legislation I'm carrying, see below. I'll sign off today (so I can head back to sleep) but please let me know if you have any questions about my legislation in particular, or about any of my colleagues bills that are making their way through the legislature. Until next week!
Concerning changes to the continuing administration of the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative. Last Action: 02/27/2020 House Committee on Education Referred Bill Unamended to House Committee of the Whole.
SB20-009 Expand Adult Education Grant Program. Concerning expansion of the adult education and literacy grant program. Last Action: 01/29/2020 Senate Committee on Education Referred Amended Bill to Appropriations.
SB20-034 Statutory Revision Committee Annual Report. Concerning a change in the date by which the statutory revision committee is required to report annually to the general assembly. Last Action: 02/27/2020 Sent to the Governor.
SB20-036 Emissions Inspection Check Engine Light. Concerning the submission to the federal environmental protection agency of a proposed revision to state implementation plan that would enable a vehicle that fails the on-board diagnostics test solely because a check engine light is illuminated on the vehicle's dashboard to undergo a tailpipe emissions test. Last Action: 02/4/2020 Introduced In House and Assigned to Energy & Environment.
SB20-052 Smart School Bus Safety Pilot Program. Concerning the creation of the smart school bus safety pilot program. Last Action: 02/20/2020 Senate Committee on Finance Referred Amended Bill to Appropriations.
SB20-085 Sex Offender Community Corrections Requirements. Concerning a requirement that a sex offender being placed in a community corrections program meet certain requirements for a sex offender being released on parole. Last Action: 02/14/2020 Introduced In House - Assigned to Judiciary.
SB20-125 Prohibit Exotic Animals In Traveling Performances. Concerning a prohibition on the use of certain exotic animals in a traveling animal act. Last Action: 02/28/2020 Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment.
SB20-134 Estimate Of Non-fee Sources Of Cash Fund Revenue. Concerning the repeal of certain language used to determine cash fund revenue that is derived from non-fee sources when calculating the amount of uncommitted reserves in a cash fund at the end of a fiscal year. Last Action: 02/19/2020 Introduced In House - Assigned to Finance.
SB20-152 Correct Senate Bill 19-263 Effective Date Error. Concerning correction of the effective date clause of Senate Bill 19-263. Last Action: 2/11/2020 Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation & Local Government.
SB20-175 Assessment Score On A Student's Transcript. Concerning the prohibition of indicating an assessment score on a student's high school transcript. Last Action: 02/27/2020 Senate Committee on Education Referred Bill Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole.
SB20-178 Woman Veteran Disability License Plate. Concerning a license plate to honor women veterans who have disabilities. Last Action: 02/27/2020 Senate Committee on Transportation & Energy Referred Bill Amended to Appropriations.
HB20-1002 College Credit For Work Experience. Concerning a statewide plan for awarding college credit for work-related experience. Last Action: 01/28/2020 House Committee on Education Referred Bill Amended to Appropriations.
HB20-1036 Align Emergency Medical Service Provider Statutes. Concerning the addition of references to licensed emergency medical service providers in the emergency medical service providers' peer health assistance program statute to align the statute with legislation enacted in 2019 that authorized certified emergency medical service providers to seek licensure. Last Action: 01/24/2020 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs.
HB20-1039 Transparent State Web Portal Search Rules. Concerning a transparent state web portal that allows the public to easily search for information relating to state agency rules at no cost. Last Action: 02/28/2020 House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments.
HB20-1125 Eligible Educator Supplies Tax Credit. Concerning a state income tax credit related to eligible educators' personal expenses. Last Action: 02/3/2020 House Committee on Finance Referred Bill Amended to Appropriations.
HB20-1128 Educator Education Requirements Special Education. Concerning education requirements for educators to increase awareness of special education issues. Last Action: 02/24/2020 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education.
HB20-1156 CO Colorado Municipal Election Code Administrative Modifications. Concerning modifications to certain administrative requirements specified in the "Colorado Municipal Election Code of 1965", and, in connection therewith, making modifications to provisions addressing the administration of the "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act." Last Action: 02/25/2020 Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments.
HB20-1164 Housing Authority Exemptions From Water Fees. Concerning the exemption of a housing authority from certain fees imposed by a water conservancy district. Last Action: 02/18/2020 House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments.
HB20-1165 Interior Design Practice. Concerning modifications to the interior design exemption set forth in the laws governing the practice of architecture. Last Action: 02/28/2020 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology.
HB20-1221 Complementary Or Alternative Medicine Pilot Program. Concerning an expansion of the complementary or alternative medicine pilot program for a person with an injury that results in paralysis. Last Action: 01/31/2020 Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Insurance.
HB20-1260 School Finance Adjustment To 2019-20 Total Program. Concerning adjustments in the amount of total program funding for public schools for the 2019-20 budget year, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. Last Action: 02/13/2020 Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments.
HB20-1262 Housing Assistance Justice System Transition Money. Concerning money appropriated for housing assistance for persons transitioning from the criminal or juvenile justice system. Last Action: 02/28/2020 Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments.
HB20-1279Drunk Driving Enforcement Funding. Concerning drunk driving law enforcement. Last Action: 02/18/2020 House Committee on Transportation & Local Government Referred Bill Amended to Appropriations.
HB20-1285Sunset Motorcycle Operator Safety Training Program. Concerning the continuation of the motorcycle operator safety training program, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendations contained in the 2019 sunset report by the department of regulatory agencies. Last Action:02/4/2020 Introduced In House - Assigned to Business Affairs & Labor.
HB20-1324 Increased Support For Domestic Abuse Programs. Concerning increased support for domestic abuse programs through voluntary contributions. Last Action: 02/25/2020 Introduced In House - Assigned to Finance.
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, and Vice Chair of the Statutory Revision Committee.
Mark your calendars for constituent events
With constituent Sandy Baca-Sandoval on Latino/a Advocacy Day
Coffee With Constituents: The next coffee event will be Tuesday, March 17 from 7:00 - 8:00 am. We will meet at the Morning Story Restaurant, 8025 Sheridan Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003.
What's Brewing at the Capitol?:
PLEASE NOTE NEW LOCATION!!
The next brewing event will be Wednesday, March 18 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. We will meet at the Denver Beer Company, 5768 Olde Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada CO 80002.
Town Hall Meeting: The next town hall event will be Saturday, March 21 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at Covenant Living of Colorado, 9153 Yarrow St, Westminster, CO 80021.
With Ron Marquez on IDD Awareness Day at the Capitol
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, we celebrated
Latino/a Advocacy Day... We also celebrated
LGBTQ Day at the Capitol... I met with the
Department of Education... I met with the
Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights... I met with advocates of
Home Health... I met with the
Colorado Health Care Association... I met with officials from the
University of Colorado... I met with officials from
Mednax...
On Tuesday, the
Senate Appropriations Committee met... The
JBC heard figure setting recommendations for the
Department of Personnel & Operating Common Policies,the Department of Public Health and Environment, and Potential Legislation... On Wednesday, the Senate celebrated Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol... I met with the All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition... I met with the Lt. Governor to discuss health care policy... I met with Great Education Colorado to discuss education issues... I was the keynote speaker at the IDD Awareness Day luncheon... On Thursday, the JBC met with the Capitol Development Committee... I presented SB178 on Removing the SAT score from a student transcript...I presented SB178 on a Woman's Veteran Disability License Plate... I chaired the Committee of the Whole... I attended the CASB Legislative reception... On Friday, we welcomed the Adams 14 ProStart Champions to the Capitol... and we welcomed the Denver Zoo to the Capitol.
Speaking at All Families Deserve a Chance Day at the Capitol
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations to
Rachel For Colorado
I am pleased to announce that I will be running for re-election for a second term as your senator for Senate District 19. I would be honored to have your support! Can you help by making a contribution? THANK YOU!
