Colorado Politics

Colorado lawmakers face six dozen outstanding bills in session’s final hours

The 2023 legislative session ends at midnight today, Monday, May 8.

In that time, lawmakers will have to work through a remaining 72 bills as of Monday morning. 

For the 2023 session, 617 bills have been introduced, according to the Office of Legislative Legal Services.

The last bill introduced in the Senate, SB 306, would continue the plan to begin renovations that would allow almost half of the General Assembly to move back into the state Capitol. SB 306 was introduced late Wednesday; a similar measure was also the last bill of the 2022 session.

SB 306 won a unanimous vote from the Senate Friday and is now awaiting its turn in the House.

The last House bill, introduced on Saturday, is HB 1311, which equalized TABOR refunds but contingent on the passage of Senate Bill 303, which would divert TABOR refunds to provide property tax relief to homeowners and commercial building owners.

Of the 617 bills introduced, 545 are done, either killed or sent to the governor. Of the 72 left, 36 are awaiting final action in the Senate, down from 49 on Friday. In the House, 36 are still awaiting final action, down from 107 last Friday.

A look at what’s left:

Senate Bill 213: The governor’s housing proposal is awaiting a decision from the Senate on House amendments. Background here.

Senate bills 255 and 256: The two measures, which deal with the reintroduction of wolves and the funding to pay for it, are headed to the governor after the Senate approved House amendments on Thursday.

Senate Bill 279: The bill to ban ghost guns is on its way to the governor, after House Democrats approved it Friday. Background here.

Senate Bill 271: The bill to regulate intoxicating hemp products is awaiting Senate review of House amendments. Background here.

Senate Bill 295: The study on drought on the Colorado River has been watered down from a proposal to allow the state to acquire water rights to help with the river crisis. The bill is awaiting Senate review of House amendments. Background here.

House Bill 1249: The bill increases minimum age to criminally charge kids. Passed by the House, it went through lengthy debate in the Senate. On Sunday, the bill was amended by a strike-below amendment that changed it to a task force to look at the issue. Background here.

House Bill 1120: The measure requires mediation before eviction for some tenants. The bill is headed to the governor after the Senate approve House amendments Sunday. Background here

House Bill 1171: The proposal to ban evictions and lease terminations without “just cause,” the bill died in the state Senate Sunday night. Background here.

Senate Bill 291: A special committee bill to address rising utility bills, it is awaiting Senate review of House amendments.. Background here.

Senate Bill 252: The proposal to enforce price transparency for hospitals is on its way to the governor. Background here.

House Bill 1245: The bill to cap candidate contributions in local elections is on its way to the governor after the House on Thursday approved Senate amendments. Background here.

House Bill 1208: A proposal for a $1,000 tax credit for teachers to buy classroom supplies is considered dead for the session, failing to get a hearing in the Senate. Background here.

Senate Bill 97: The proposal to make all car theft a felony regardless of price awaits Senate review of House amendments. Background here.

Senate Bill 303: The governor’s property tax proposal is currently being debate in the House in preparation for its final vote, then will head back to the Senate for review of House amendments. Background here.

House Speaker Julie McCluskie speaks with party leaders after lawmakers got into a heated exchange during the debate on House Bill 1249, to raise the age children can be charged with crimes, on Monday, April 17, 2023. 
Hannah Metzger
hannah.metzger@coloradopolitics.com
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