Wildlife shield gets House OK
The House unanimously passed legislation Wednesday to protect wildlife from oil and gas development.
House Bill 1298, sponsored by Rep. Dan Gibbs, D-Silverthorne, and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, directs the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to work with the Division of Wildlife to develop regulations that require energy companies to use the best available technology to avoid or dramatically reduce effects on wildlife species and habitat.
The measure has attracted national attention and could be the model for federal legislation. Gibbs traveled to Washington earlier this week to testify before Congress about his proposal, which now goes to the Senate.
Drunken-driving curb heads to Ritter
The House approved and sent to Gov. Bill Ritter on Wednesday a measure that gives the state more flexibility to gather evidence from drunken drivers.
Senate Bill 154, which passed 51-14, closes what sponsor Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, described as a loophole that allows someone suspected of driving under the influence to choose either a blood-alcohol test or a breathalyzer test.
If a test is not administered within two hours after the arrest, law enforcement does not have the proper evidence for a conviction.
The measure still allows a driver to choose, but if the suspect’s preferred test cannot be administered because of unforeseen circumstances, authorities would have the right to administer the other test.
Concealed-carry change all but final
The House on Wednesday sent to the governor a bill to tighten the concealed-weapons permits law.
Senate Bill 34, which passed on a 36-29 vote, closes a loophole that lets Coloradans who don’t want to work through their local sheriff to use permits from other states. Current law does not allow enforcement officers to yank the permits issued by another state.
