In a typical year the legislative session would have wrapped up by now. Per our Constitution the legislative session runs for 120 days, which usually goes from early January through early May, however this year we took a month-long break due to COVID-19. That means today is the 100th day of session, leaving 20 more possible days to wrap-up our legislative business. We could always end earlier than 120 days, but given the large list of bills still awaiting debate, I predict we will go for another two weeks at a minimum.

Just over one third of my 40 bills have already passed and have been signed into law. Another one third have passed out of the Senate and are in the House awaiting action. And fewer than one third--seven bills to be exact--are with me in the Senate awaiting action. If the bills in the House are not debated and passed soon, they may die on the calendar despite having successfully passed out the Senate--in most cases unanimously. I expect to be in committee this week with HB1094 on Foster Youth in Transition, HB1300 on Health-care Provider Liens for Injured Persons, and HB1230 on Create User-Friendly State Internet Rules Portal.

Lastly, there will be two big announcements tomorrow. The first will be a press conference to discuss the state's plans to distribute federal funds made available to Colorado as part of the American Rescue Act. That announcement will be made on the West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol at 8:30 am. In addition, we also expect to hear from the Colorado Supreme Court on our interrogatory regarding HB21-1164 on the Total Program Mill Levy Tax Credit for Public Schools. The Supreme Court will make their announcement at approximately 10:00 am and we have our fingers crossed for good news!

Jeffco moves to Level Clear beginning May 16: On May 16, Jefferson County and counties across the Denver Metro Area moved to Level Clear on the Simplified Dial, per JCPH’s Public Health Order 21-001. This change was made to reflect the progress we have made to get Jefferson County residents vaccinated against COVD-19. Visit www.jeffco.us/4007/Case-Summary for the most current information on vaccination coverage in Jeffco. Under Level Clear, the county entered a 90-day observation period during which businesses are able to operate at 100 percent capacity with no additional restrictions. However, mask requirements in certain high-risk settings for unvaccinated individuals still apply across Colorado, and any other requirements set by the State of Colorado or Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also apply.

Coloradans 12+ now eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine: The federal Food and Drug Administration gave authorization last week for 12-15 year olds to be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. For more information, here is a good recap on the situation by NPR.

Where to find the COVID-19 Vaccine: To learn more about where you can get vaccinated visit: https://covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/vaccine/where-can-i-get-vaccinated. Call the vaccine hotline at 1-877- CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).

Below you will find a list of bills that were introduced or acted upon last week. Updates and new bills are highlighted in red text. You can find a full list of all my bills on my website HERE or the state's legislative website HERE.

SB21-268 Public School Finance: Concerning the financing of public schools, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate on Monday and was sent to the House.

SB21-265 Transfer From General Fund To State Highway Fund: Concerning a transfer from the general fund to the state highway fund. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate on Monday was sent to the House.

SB21-263 Outdoor Advertising Act: Concerning the regulation of outdoor advertising. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Local Government Committee on Tuesday and then later passed out of the Senate and was sent to the House.

SB21-262 Special District Transparency: Concerning transparency for special districts. This bill passed unanimously out of the Senate on Thursday and was sent to the House.

SB21-257 Special Mobile Machinery Registration Exemption: Concerning an exemption from motor vehicle registration requirements for certain special mobile machinery. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and passed unanimously on Second Reading on Friday.

SB21-253 Women Veterans With Disabilities License Plate: Concerning license plates for veterans who have disabilities, and, in connection therewith, creating a license plate to honor women veterans with disabilities. The bill passed out of the Senate on Thursday and was sent to the House.

SB21-180 Recycling and Composting Enterprise Grant Program: Concerning a report to be submitted to the general assembly by the department of public health and environment regarding post-consumer recycled content recommendations for packaging, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. This bill passed the Senate on Wednesday and was referred to the House.

SB21-017 Sexual Contact By An Educator: Concerning sexual contact between a student and an educator in violation of the public trust. The Senate rejected the House amendments and formed a conference committee. The conference committee unanimously adopted the conference report on Thursday.

HB21-1300 Health-care Provider Liens For Injured Persons: Concerning health-care provider liens related to charges for health care provided to a person injured as a result of the negligence or wrongful acts of another person. This bill will be heard in the Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs Committee on Monday, May 24 upon adjournment.

HB21-1274 Unused State-owned Real Property Beneficial Use: Concerning the beneficial use of unused state-owned real property, and, in connection therewith, directing the department of personnel to inventory such property and use such property to promote affordable housing and renewable energy development. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee and later passed out the Senate unanimously on Friday and sent to the House.

HB21-1094 Foster Youth In Transition Program: Concerning the transition of youth in Colorado's foster care system to successful adulthood. This bill will be heard in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee on Monday, May 24 at 1:30 pm.

HB21-1021 Peer Support Professionals Behavioral Health: Concerning supporting the peer support professional workforce, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The bill passed out of the Senate on Wednesday and sent to the House.

On Monday... I passed SB265 on transportation funding unanimously out of the Senate... I also passed SB268 Public School Finance Act unanimously out of the Senate... We debated bills in the Senate until late afternoon... On Tuesday... I chaired the Committee of the Whole until late afternoon... I attended the Transportation & Energy Committee meeting... I presented and unanimously passed SB263 on the Outdoor Advertising Act in the Local Government Committee... I presented and unanimously passed HB1274 on Unused State Owned Property out of the State Affairs Committee... I was added as prime sponsor to SB180 on Recycling and Composting Enterprise... On Wednesday... I attended my Kiwanis meeting in person... I passed HB1021 on Peer Support Behavioral Health unanimously out of the Senate... I passed SB180 on Recycling & Composting... I passed SB253 on Women Veterans Disability License Plates out of the Senate... I met with several constituents and CIRC to discuss legislation pertaining to immigrants... I met with representatives of the Colorado Health Care Association... On Thursday... I passed SB262 on Special District Transparency unanimously out of the Senate... I chaired a conference committee for SB17 on Educator Sexual Contact With Students... I chaired the Senate Education Committee... On Friday... I passed SB257 on Special Mobile Machinery out of the Appropriations Committee... I passed SB263 on the Outdoor Advertising Act out of the Senate... I passed HB1274 on Unused State Owned Property unanimously out of the Senate... I chaired the Committee of the Whole... I participated in the Capitol clothing drive as part of Dress For Success... On Saturday... I participated in the Adopt a Highway clean up with the Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis Club.

Here are the latest press articles from this past week that touch on legislation I am sponsoring. Also, you can view the full list on my website by clicking HERE.

Denver Business Journal: Effort to increase metro district transparency passes Colorado Senate

The Denver Post: Metro district residents would get election notices by email or mail under reform bill

EIN News: Senate Passes Public School Finance Act Unanimously!

Denver Business Journal: Colorado Senate eases environmental study rules, approves $5.3B transportation bill

We hope you can join us at our next legislative town hall meeting for a legislative wrap-up on Saturday, June 19 at 10:30 am. Unfortunately, we were not able to secure a location for an in-person meeting. Nevertheless, we hope you can join us for one last Zoom meeting.