The main goal of the Legislative Session is to pass bills. So what happens to a bill once the bill sponsors have championed it through both houses? Sure, it goes to the Governor for his signature, but why does it take so long to land on his desk? (more…)
Author: olls
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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…)
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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…)
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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…)
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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…)
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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…)
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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…)
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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…)
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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…)
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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…)