Important bills remain as session nears end, lawmakers say
DENVER - The state Legislature has battled its way through 117 days of this year’s session, but lawmakers still have more than 100 bills to deal with before Wednesday night, when the session ends.
Nine El Paso County legislators pointed to a hefty number of remaining bills, which range from technical rulemaking to a bill about the sex offender management board. And the lawmakers noted that those don’t include the fight over congressional redistricting.
House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-Monument, named four bills that still have to be approved by one of the two chambers: a bill to repeal the so-called “Amazon tax,” a measure that would re-organize the governor’s energy office, a bill establishing an investment tax credit, and a bill that would prohibit Colorado from establishing an inheritance tax.
Stephens also said a bill that would require state employees to continue paying more of their salaries into the Public Employees Retirement Association needs one more vote to get to the governor’s desk.
Conversely, a number of Senate bills also have to get the thumbs-up from the House.
Senate Majority Leader John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, said his tow truck bill, which was inspired by the dragging death of tow truck driver Allen Rose, is one of those, as is a controversial bail bill that would let those arrested pay their bonds directly to the courts.
Also awaiting a Senate hearing are a pair of marijuana bills. One would create a legal limit of THC blood content for drivers who are high, and one would clarify medical marijuana regulations.
“We still have quite a bit of work to do,” said Morse.
Sen. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs, said a lot of senators aren’t yet familiar with many House bills, let alone educated on them.
That irritates freshman Rep. Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs, who said he tries to read as many bills as possible.
“I’m astonished by how much is left to do on the calendar,” he said. “We don’t really have sufficient time (to read the remaining bills).”
Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, said with a shrug, “We’re going to work long days, but we always work long days.”
He pointed out that most of the required bills, such as the state budget, which Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law Friday, are already taken care of.
Said Gardner, “We really could come here every year and get the four or five must-do items, kill the rest, and the world would probably be a better place.”
“There are 700 or 800 bills every year, but only seven or eight good ideas,” he said.
Sen. Scheffel, R-Parker, also still isn’t done. A bill on his signature issue — the business personal property tax —hasn’t yet been heard in a Senate committee. The bill would give both small businesses and large companies a break on the tax.
Rep. Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs, predicted most remaining bills will pass easily.
“We’re in the clean-up phase,” he said.
