Highlights from the Legislature on Tuesday:
— A bill that would give homeowners facing foreclosure more time to pay their bills has passed its first legislative obstacle. House Bill 1276 would create a three-month time-out for those facing foreclosure. It passed out of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee, 7-4. The bill gives borrowers 20 days to contact a foreclosure counselor certified by the state, who will determine if the borrower is likely to pay their bills.
— A House committee has killed a bill that would have required companies to provide paid sick leave. The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee unanimously rejected the measure after its sponsor, Democratic Rep. Anne McGihon of Denver, told the panel her proposal needed study. House Bill 1210 would have required all businesses with six or more employees to offer paid sick leave.
— The Senate Local Government and Energy Committee killed a bill aimed at ensuring landowners’ rights as the state tries to minimize the effects of energy development on wildlife. The bill by Sen. Jim Isgar, D-Hesperus, would have given landowners the final say about wildlife on their land. Isgar said he was unable to resolve disputes between landowners, drillers and regulators and will leave it to lawmakers to decide on rules to regulate the industry later this week.
New Bills
— Extend a state income tax checkoff for the non-game and endangered wildlife fund (House Bill 1294).
— Allow trucking companies to claim a tax refund on the sale, storage or use of a truck, trailer or semitrailer (House Bill 1298).
