Highlights from the Legislature on Thursday:
— The House Education Committee approved a bill that would allow employees to take time off to attend school functions for their children. House Bill 1057 would limit the unpaid leave to 18 hours in any academic year. Leave would be limited to six hours a month, and could only be taken in increments of three hours or less. It now goes to the full House for debate.
— The House approved House Joint Resolution 1009 taking a four-day weekend Feb. 26-March 1. Lawmakers say they could save the state $12,000 if they all agree not to take their per diem payments on the extra days off.
— The Senate voted 19-16 in favor of Senate Bill 108, which would raise fees on vehicle registration, truckers, and rental cars to pay for highway and bridge repairs. It would also allow tolls on existing roads. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.
— The House Education Committee approved a bill that bars institutions from offering incentives for enrollment or attendance at school. House Bill 1125 now goes to the full House for debate.
— A proposal to help foster home-grown clean technology companies got the backing of a Senate Local Government and Energy Committee. Senate Bill 31 would allow the state to give out grants to support clean tech projects including renewable energy and energy efficiency. The bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
New bills:
— Implement a constitutional amendment approved by voters, Amendment 50, which gives voters in Central City, Black Hawk and Cripple Creek the power to decide whether to raise bet limits, add games and stay open all night. House Bill 1272 directs how revenues will be divided, with 78 percent for community colleges and gaming towns and counties getting 22 percent.
— Impose a 60-cent fee on registration of motor vehicles to supporting the state titling and registration system. It’s House Bill 1271.
