Highlights from the Legislature on Thursday:
— The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill to implement a constitutional amendment approved by voters, Amendment 50, which gave voters in Central City, Black Hawk and Cripple Creek the power to decide whether to raise bet limits, add games and stay open 24 hours. House Bill 1272 directs how revenues will be divided among community colleges, gaming towns and counties.
— A bill to require home sellers to provide buyers with the home’s utility history over the previous 12 months was approved by the House Transportation and Energy Committee. The bill (House Bill 1247) goes to the full House for debate.
— The Senate gave final approval to a package of cuts and transfers to trim about $605 million from this year’s state budget. It now heads to the House, where changes likely will be made.
— The full Senate gave initial approval to a measure (House Bill 1091) requiring all homes and apartment buildings up for sale to have carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms. Homeowners and apartment owners also would have to install detectors if they do any major renovations or additions. The bill must pass another vote before it can be sent back to the House.
— School districts would have to post detailed lists of their monthly spending online under a measure (Senate Bill 57) given final approval by the Senate. Districts would have until September 2011 to post the information.
— The House belatedly approved a resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 12) honoring the 200th anniversary of the birth of President Abraham Lincoln after reconciling differences between House and Senate versions. Lincoln’s birthday was Feb. 12.
New Bills
— Define contraception as “a medically acceptable drug, device or procedure used to prevent pregnancy” (Senate Bill 225). Sen. Betty Boyd and Rep. Anne McGihon said they introduced it because of concerns that last fall’s failed personhood amendment could have banned some forms of birth control.
— Require the state education board to come up with ways to accommodate students who have food allergies (Senate Bill 226).
