Measure to snuff teen smoking wins initial senate nod
A bill that prohibits minors from possessing cigarettes or other tobacco products won initial approval in the Senate on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 88, sponsored by Boulder Democrat Ron Tupa, also would require shop owners to ID anyone who looks under the age of 30 before selling tobacco products to them. Currently, it is a crime for shop owners to knowingly sell tobacco products to minors but the law does not require them to ask for identification.
It is illegal for minors to buy tobacco products, and Tupa said the bill clears up a mixed message.
Pine-beetle bill would create fund
Lawmakers took another whack at pine beetles Tuesday, passing in committee a bill that would create a pine-beetle-mitigation fund and lift sales taxes on beetle-kill timber products.
Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, is sponsor of House Bill 1318, which passed unanimously in a House natural resources committee. “This is a time for real action,” he said.
Senate ready for prime time too?
Senate Democrats discussed the possibility of broadcasting their sessions next year at a Tuesday lunch meeting. Senate President Peter Groff, D-Denver, said that with the House now broadcast on cable, the Senate should follow suit.
Others were more reluctant. “Some of us have been told,” joked Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, “that we have faces for radio.”
Looser lottery-fund rules.
Counties, cities and special districts would be able to use lottery proceeds they receive to cover the operational costs of new conservation sites under a bill (Senate Bill 67) given initial backing by the Senate. Now they can use the money only to buy, develop or maintain new sites or to maintain existing parks.
Spay-neuter deadline.
The House approved and sent to the Senate on a 57-5 vote a measure (House Bill 1185) that would give adoptive pet owners 90 days to get their pet spayed or neutered, over objections that many animal shelters already provide the service for free. Lawmakers said it could cost $200 or more to spay or neuter a pet.
Shielding bald eagles.
The House approved a proposal (House Bill 1304) that would increase state protection for the bald eagle after the federal government removed it from a list of threatened species. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Staff and wire reports
