One day after a contentious debate on the state’s proposed new rules for oil and gas drilling, the House of Representatives on Friday gave its final approval.
Despite the sharply divided chamber — most Democrats praise the rules and most Republicans pan them — the formal, recorded vote was not close. That’s because the legislature’s review of the drilling rules is rolled into House Bill 1292, which also gives the go-ahead to dozens of other rules created by numerous other state agencies.
Before voting Friday, a number of Republicans spoke against the rules one last time before admitting they couldn’t vote against the bill.
“This bill has pages and pages of rules that, if they weren’t to pass, bad things would happen,” House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, said.
The other rules in the bill cover things like mortgage-broker regulations, drinking-water standards and requirements for care of the developmentally disabled.
The bill passed 50-13.
Rep. Wes McKinley of Walsh was the only Democrat to vote against the bill.
The measure now moves to the Senate.
John Ingold: 303-954-1068 or jingold@denverpost.com
