Highlights from the Legislature on Friday:
— Gov. Bill Ritter signed a bill that will allow qualifying nonprofits to buy items using the state’s procurement system, which can save them up to 40 percent. Ritter said the measure (House Bill 1088) will lead Colorado forward by allowing nonprofits to save money on their purchases and then reinvest those dollars directly back into safety-net services.
— The House approved new rules for the oil and gas industry and sent them to the Senate, despite strong opposition from the industry and employees who warned the rules will cost more jobs. The bill (House Bill 1292) passed 50-13, with Republicans split on the issue.
— The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would require home sellers to provide buyers with the home’s utility history over the previous 12 months. Opponents said the bill (House Bill 1247) violates the privacy rights of homeowners who already have the right to negotiate details of home sales.
— The Senate briefly debated a measure (Senate Bill 170) allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates and then agreed to send the bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
