Hello everyone,
The 2025 legislative session is more than one-third over and we finally had our first late night floor session this past week.
On Thursday night, the Senate worked until almost 2 am debating two of the most controversial bills of the session on second reading. The Senate started around 9:45 am debating SB 005 Worker Protection Collective Bargaining. As I have mentioned previously, SB 005 eliminates the second vote currently needed under Colorado’s Labor Peace Act to require all employees to pay either union dues or representation fees. Senate Republicans argued against the bill until about 4 pm but as expected the bill passed.
Next up was SB 003 Semiautomatic Firearms & Rapid-Fire Devices which would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, transfer or sale of certain semiautomatic rifles, shotguns and handguns with detachable magazines. SB 003 includes an exception for peace officers if the agency that employs the officer requires or permits the officer to carry a specified semiautomatic firearm for use in the officer’s official capacity. Due to opposition from the Governor’s Office and other Democratic Senators, the sponsors amended the bill to allow individuals who complete certain training and pass an exam to continue to buy these firearms. With these changes, the Senate passed SB 003 on second reading. Both SB 003 and SB 005 are scheduled to be heard on the third reading in the Senate tomorrow. (Both the House and the Senate are closed today in observance of Presidents’ Day.)
This past week we also saw two bills the CSPA is supporting pass committee. On Tuesday, the Senate Business Committee unanimously passed SB 036 State Patrol Bonding Exception. Currently, the State Patrol is required to secure bonds for all its members. However, because the State is self-insured, the Patrol has been unable to find an insurance company willing to supply the bonds. SB 036 codifies current practice and exempts all members of the State Patrol from the bonding requirement. The Senate passed SB 036 on second reading on Friday, and it is scheduled to be heard on third reading tomorrow.
The other bill, SB 069 Tire Chain Traction Control Device Permit, creates a permit to allow a private company to install or remove tire chains or other traction devices on motor vehicles at certain locations for a fee to be paid for by the driver of the motor vehicle. The Senate Transportation Committee referred SB 069 unanimously to the Senate Appropriations Committee where it will likely be heard after the legislature passes the budget.
So far, there have been 424 bills introduced – 260 in the House and 164 in the Senate. Only 79 more days until the General Assembly is required to adjourn sine die.
Bill Skewes
Lobbyist