Highlights from the Legislature on Thursday.
— A divided Senate gave final approval to the state’s proposed $17.6 billion budget for next year (House Bill 1375). All but one Republican senator voted against it because lawmakers didn’t agree to make cuts to start a rainy day fund.
— Sens. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass, and Josh Penry, R-Fruita, introduced a proposal (Senate Bill 218) to funnel federal mineral lease payments to help higher education and communities affected by oil and gas development. The bill, backed by Gov. Bill Ritter, will have a hearing in the Senate Education Committee but no date has been announced yet.
— The House approved Senate amendments and sent to the governor a bill (House Bill 1148) that would set a higher standard for the state’s adverse possession that allows someone to claim another person’s property if they have had access to that property for at least 18 years. The bill was introduced after a Boulder couple lost part of their property to a neighbor based on claims they weren’t using the property and the neighbor was using it.
— The House rejected Senate amendments to a bill (House Bill 1180) that would allow military spouses to collect unemployment insurance when their family members are transferred. House members said there should be a time limit. The bill now goes to a conference committee.
— The House approved Senate amendments and sent to the governor a plan (House Bill 1178) that would make it a misdemeanor to send deceptive e-mails for marketing purposes.
