Month: April 2014

  • Automatic suspensions of House and Senate rules during the last days of session

    By Matt Dawkins and Chuck Brackney

    We’re in the last few days of the 2014 regular legislative session. If it seems to you that things are moving faster—well, it’s not just your imagination. Due to automatic suspension of some legislative rules, things can and do move faster toward the end of session. This is so the General Assembly can get its work done before the clock strikes midnight on the one-hundred-twentieth legislative day—May 7. (more…)

  • Conference Committees: A quick review of the options

    by Julie Pelegrin

    Just three weeks left in the 2014 regular legislative session and a legislator’s thoughts turn to…conference committees! Following is an overview of the conference committee process. (more…)

  • Open Meetings Law & Executive Sessions: The Basics

    By Dan Cartin

    The Open Meetings Law, or OML (section 24-6-401, C.R.S., et seq.), requires any meeting of two or more members of the General Assembly to be open to the public when any public business is discussed or formal action may be taken. Legislative committee meetings are subject to the OML’s requirements and are generally open to any person who wishes to attend. Notice of a meeting must be given if the committee is taking formal action or if a majority or quorum of committee members are either in attendance or expected to be in attendance. (more…)

  • You’ve Got Mail!

    By Jery Payne

    Imagine you’re a senator in the Colorado General Assembly. You’re sitting at your desk and feeling good. Session is winding down, and you’re done with that monster bill you’ve been working on. All you have left is a short cleanup bill. (more…)