Lawmaker: They’re illegal aliens
Anticipating the coming debate over several bills addressing illegal immigration in Colorado, Republican Rep. David Schultheis of Colorado Springs on Wednesday asked lawmakers to choose their words carefully when discussing his No. 1 issue. “Many of those engaged in the discussion default to the terms ‘illegal immigrant’ or ‘undocumented immigrant’ even though these terms are not accurate,” Schult heis wrote in an open letter. “The term that seems most accurate to describe someone who has broken federal immigration law is ‘illegal alien.”‘ An immigrant is someone who moves to a different country to take up legal residence, he said.
Drilling testimony begins
Testimony over the damage energy companies do to private property when drilling for natural gas and oil went into the night Wednesday, as the House Transportation and Energy Committee considered House Bill 1185, which would force those companies to compensate landowners. Energy-industry representatives said the proposal from Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, was unconstitutional and that it would deflate the state’s ongoing energy boom. Landowners said the proposal would give them leverage to negotiate with energy companies. One committee member said she was struggling to find common ground between the landowners and the drillers. “We want it to be fair, and the testimony today still is a little confusing,” said Rep. Lynn Hefley, R-Colorado Springs. Curry’s unsuccessful attempt at reform last year saw 16 hours of testimony, Curry noted as darkness fell.
Business Affairs action
The House approved and sent to the Senate on a 43-22 vote a measure (HB 1016) that would allow companies to buy only temporary registration for moving household goods. Republicans have complained that fees charged by the state are unreasonable.
The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee gave initial approval to a bill (HB 1120) that would allow wine companies to ship directly to consumers.
The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee gave initial approval to a bill (HB 1006) that would prohibit insurance companies from referring personal-property-repair contractors to clients trying to repair homes or businesses following disasters.
Bill protects whistle-blowers
Senate Bill 113 would prohibit life-insurance companies from discriminating solely for reasons based on a client’s past or future foreign travel.
SB 1193 would protect health-care employees who blow the whistle on substandard patient care.
