Colorado LegiSource

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

Author: olls

  • The start of the legislative session is over 4 months away. Why should I bother to get my bill requests in now?

    Submitting bill requests for 2012 now, or as early as possible, provides you with several advantages. The designated bill drafter will contact you, by phone or email, soon after your bill request is assigned. This gives you plenty of time to discuss your request with the drafter and for the drafter to do any necessary research. You can also conduct meetings with stakeholders and constituents to discuss ideas relating to the bill request, and you will have the opportunity to review more drafts of the bill than if you wait until December to submit your request. Finally, requesting your bill early may allow you to obtain an early estimate on the fiscal impact of your bill and leave you enough time to make changes before introduction if necessary. Submitting your bill requests early may save you from having to introduce a strike-below amendment at the first committee hearing!

    Also, keep in mind that the deadline for a member to submit his or her first 3 bill requests is December 1. This date will be here sooner than we think.

  • Bill Requests — Making and keeping the five allowed by rule

    Bill Requests — Making and keeping the five allowed by rule

    by Patti Dahlberg

    Each member of the Colorado General Assembly is allowed five bill requests (Joint Rule 24(b)(1)(A)).  These five bill requests are in addition to any appropriation, committee-approved, or sunset bills that a legislator may choose to carry.  Seems pretty simple — every legislator gets five bills?

    If only it were so . . . there are a few rules legislators need to follow in order to make and keep their five bill requests.

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  • The Legislature’s Role in the Review of Administrative Rules

    by Chuck Brackney

    The approach of fall brings a number of signals that the seasons are changing.  Leaves turning bright colors, colder temperatures, and the return of football are just some of these.  Around the Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS), though, the advent of autumn means that rule review season is in full swing.

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  • The Director’s Welcome

    by Dan Cartin, Director of the Office of Legislative Legal Services

    Welcome to Colorado LegiSource, the on-line blog of the Office of Legislative Legal Services or, as we are also known, the “OLLS” or just “the drafting office.”  Our blog is a web-based resource that will utilize the writing skills of the OLLS’ nonpartisan attorneys and legal staff to periodically post useful, legislatively related information during the session and interim for members of the General Assembly.

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