Cigar loophole a target
Acknowledging that the indoor smoking ban they passed last year wasn’t very clear, lawmakers on Monday endorsed a bill to close a cigar-bar loophole that was preventing enforcement in some instances.
Some bars claimed exemptions from the smoking ban by saying they sell enough tobacco to qualify as cigar bars. Rep. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, said authorities had no way to determine which bars qualified as cigar bars because of the amount of tobacco they sold each year.
The House Health & Human Services Committee approved a bill changing the term “tobacco products” to “cigars or cigar tobacco” to make it clear cigarette sales were not included. The measure now goes to the House Appropriations Committee.
Highlights
From the Legislature on Monday:
The House gave initial approval to a measure (House Bill 1054) that would increase the number of judges throughout the state. It faces a third reading before it goes to the Senate.
New bills proposed
Require oil and gas providers to minimize the adverse impacts of drilling on surface owners. (House Bill 1252)
Require a supermajority of lawmakers to approve any law that increases state revenue. (House Bill 1240)
Allow an impounded or forfeited animal that is injured, disabled or diseased to be euthanized without a court order and make it a crime for an owner of a dangerous dog to allow the dog to damage property. (House Bill 1235)
Allow people who earn an associate’s degree to transfer credits to a four-year college or university. (House Bill 1236)
Prohibit an employer from requiring anyone as a condition of employment to become a member of a labor organization or to pay dues. (House Bill 1267)
Bar insurance companies from denying coverage for members of the armed forces based solely on their service. (House Bill 1253)
The Associated Press
