Highlights from the Legislature on Tuesday.
— Rep. Dianne Primavera, D-Broomfield, introduced a bill that would set up a fund and allow taxpayers to donate money that would support collection of adult stem cells to fight cancer and other illnesses.
— The House approved a measure allowing liquor stores to open on Sundays. Senate Bill 82 now goes back to the Senate for consideration of amendments.
— The House Judiciary Committee approved a proposal that would provide financial incentives for private prisons to develop innovative security programs or provide education. Supporters said the state Legislature currently sets the per diem rate for state prisoners in private prisons, allowing no flexibility for negotiating contracts. The Measure (House Bill 1363) now goes to the full House for debate.
— The House Judiciary Committee killed a bill (House Bill 1023) that would have made it a crime to possess graffiti paraphernalia after opponents said innocent people could be arrested for carrying routine household items.
— The Senate gave final approval to spending about $500,000 for added security at the Capitol in response to last year’s fatal shooting of an armed man. The measure (House Bill 1297) pays for two metal detecters and seven additional state troopers for the first six months of the year. It now heads to the governor.
— The Senate gave initial backing to new regulations for the treatment of veal calves and pregnant pigs (Senate Bill 201). Calves raised for veal and gestating sows must be kept in pens large enough so they don’t touch the side of their pens when they stand up, lie down or turn around.
— The Senate gave initial approval to barring state employees from striking (House Bill 1189).
