Highlights from the Legislature on Friday:
— A bill making it easier for gays and lesbians to leave property to their partners and to visit each other in the hospital won tentative approval from the state House. The measure (House Bill 1260) would allow any two unmarried people to make each other their designated beneficiaries. It faces a third reading before going to the Senate.
— The House tentatively approved a measure (House Bill 1180) allowing employees 15 days to demand payment if their paycheck bounces. It must pass a third reading before it goes to the Senate.
— Cities would be able to use photo radar to catch speeders in more places under a bill given initial backing by the Senate. Currently cities can only use photo radar near parks, schools, construction zones and streets with speed limits under 35 mph. The measure (Senate Bill 143) would allow it on streets with speed limits up to 55 mph. Fines would be capped at $40.
— The Senate gave initial backing to raising the trauma care fee from $1 to $2 to support rural ambulance service. The measure (Senate Bill 2) would bring in about $5 million a year to create 125 full-time paramedic and emergency medical technician jobs.
— The Senate gave initial backing to requiring school buses to be equipped with seat belts over the next five years (Senate Bill 29).
— The Senate voted 29-5 to give final backing to a measure (House Bill 1091) requiring carbon monoxide detectors in homes. All homes and apartment buildings for sale would have to have detectors installed within 15 feet of bedrooms. Homeowners and apartment owners also would have to install detectors if they complete major renovations or additions. The bill now heads back to the House for a vote on changes made by the Senate.
New Bills
— Increase the money that the Colorado Commission on Higher Education can provide for National Guard tuition (House Bill 1290).
