Colorado LegiSource

An informational and educational resource for the Colorado General Assembly by the Office of Legislative Legal Services.

Month: March 2014

  • A Look at the Limits of Legislative Immunity

    By Julie Pelegrin

    In representing the interests of constituents, a legislator may introduce legislation or an amendment that makes someone angry or that someone may consider unfair. When debating bills in committee or on the floor, a legislator may make a statement that offends someone or that someone believes is untrue. In the course of serving in the General Assembly, a legislator may do any number of things that could result in a civil law suit or even, in very rare circumstances, criminal charges. The framers of the Colorado constitution, anticipating these possibilities, included constitutional protections to ensure that legislators can do their jobs without interference or intimidation by the judicial or executive branches. (more…)

  • SB 13-030 in Action: Improved Communication between Rule-making Agencies and Legislators

    By Gwynne Middleton

    Legislators work hard to pass bills to improve the lives of Coloradans. Many of these bills include statutory rule-making authority for state agencies so that they can implement the bills legislators pass. In many cases, however, the legislator who sponsors a bill never knows what the state agency is doing to implement the bill. (more…)

  • Resolution, Memorial, or Tribute?

    By Lara Margelofsky

    When legislators want to make the General Assembly’s feelings known, but don’t need the language passed into statute, they can request a resolution, memorial, or tribute. But deciding which form is appropriate under the legislative rules can be tricky. The first questions that a legislator must ask are: In which chamber is the measure starting? And what is it attempting to do? (more…)

  • Keeping a Bill Title Constitutional and Informative

    By Julie Pelegrin

    We’re halfway through the session. Some bills have passed, some have not, and most are still winding their way through the process. As the session picks up speed, bill titles become a matter of greater interest. “My bill just died. Is there another title I can fit it under?” is a question the drafting office hears on a regular basis in the last 60 days of the session. So now is a good time to review the constitutional requirements and the customs and practices pertaining to bill titles. (more…)

  • Third Reading – Overview of Rules

    By Julie Pelegrin

    The legislator’s bill has passed the committee of reference, passed the Committee of the Whole on second reading, and is finally calendared for third reading and final passage. There are fewer third-reading rules to learn, but knowing these rules is crucial if the bill sponsor wants to ensure that the bill safely finishes its journey through the House or the Senate. (more…)