Legislative Update from Frontline Public Affairs: 3.5 Weeks to Go in the 2017 Legislative SessionBUDGET STALEMATE: Two media articles are now reporting what we have known for the last week: The legislature is stuck in a budget stalemate with Senate Republicans asking the House Democrats to move budget bills forward and the House Democrats waiting for the Senate to act on SB267. In the meantime, funding for rural (and other) hospitals, transportation, and K-12 education, along with the use of Marijuana Tax Cash Funds all hang in the balance. See today’s Denver Post and Colorado Politics coverage of the issue. One article mentions the possibility of a special session if agreement cannot be reached... INTERIM COMMITTEES: Any member of the Legislature can request a 2017 interim committee; such committees meet during the “interim” between sessions and can recommend bills for the upcoming (2018) session. With the split chambers of our Colorado legislature, these committees are evenly split between the two parties. Legislation that is approved through an interim committee generally has a better chance of passage and any legislator who decides to sponsor an interim committee bill will not have that bill count toward the 5 total bills each legislator can introduce in their chamber. This year, there are requests for 15 interim committees. Take a look at the list of possible topics – there is something for everyone! The Legislative Council will meet to discuss these on April 28 and is expected to decide on a limited number of committees. Last year they approved only 3 of 7 requested. We will keep you posted as to which committees are approved and please let us know if you are interested in any particular requests. |
