DENVER – Colorado’s legislative session is more than halfway done, but lawmakers have yet to give final approval to some of the most controversial legislation, including a “red flag” gun bill and oil and gas reform.
Last week, Republicans stalled proceedings in the Senate, in hopes of delaying votes on bills they say have been pushed too quickly through committee hearings and floor debates. The stall worked – but only for a few days. Coming up this week:
The House will debate banning e-cigarettes and will consider amendments to House Bill 1113, a bill that adjust requirements for hard rock mines’ water-treatment programs.
On Monday afternoon, the House Energy and Environment Committee will hear testimony on Senate Bill 181, which has passed the Senate and proposes sweeping oil and gas reform that would grant local communities control over some regulation. The bill stirred heated debate in the Senate and drew hundreds of oil and gas workers to the Capitol in protest.
On Tuesday morning, Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, faces a lawsuit in District Court claiming he improperly allowed a speed-reading of a 2,000-page bill last week. Republicans ordered a full reading of the bill in an attempt to delay votes and committee hearings. Three Republican senators sued Garcia.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate Appropriations Committee will consider SB 188, which would require all Coloradans to pay into a family leave fund.
A Senate committee will hear a bill that would require the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to collect greenhouse gas emissions data from facilities around the state, compile the data and use it to forecast emissions in the future.
Legislators will also be looking at federal adjustments to the Indian Child Welfare Act.
The House will consider a bill proposed by Senate President Garcia that would expand opioid treatment to rural regions in southern Colorado.
rhandy@durangoherald.com
