Highlights from the Legislature on Friday:
— Legislative economists advised lawmakers to cut another $207.5 million from this year’s budget because a spike in unemployment is cutting state revenues. Lawmakers have already cut and transferred money to plug a $600 million shortfall in this year’s budget year, which runs through June.
— The House gave initial approval to a measure (Senate Bill 225) that would add a definition of contraception to state law. It would define “contraception” or “contraceptive” as a “medically acceptable drug, device or procedure used to prevent pregnancy.” The measure is aimed at preventing birth control from being banned by any possible anti-abortion measures similar to the personhood amendment on last fall’s ballot. The bill faces a third reading before going back to the Senate for consideration of amendments.
— The House gave initial approval to a bill (House Bill 1175) that would require naturopathic doctors to be registered and set up a task force to study the practice of naturopathic medicine, including the scope of practice and patient disclosure requirements. The bill faces a third reading before it goes to the Senate.
— The House gave tentative approval to a measure (Senate Bill 147) that would allow the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District to lease rights to unused water so farmers along the South Platte could use them. That would likely happen only in wet years. The bill must pass a third reading before it goes to the governor for his signature.
— The Senate approved a resolution designating March 21 as “Single Parents’ Day.”
— The Senate gave initial backing to a measure (House Bill 1260) that would allow any two, unmarried people, including same-sex couples, to arrange for the other to inherit property, visit them in the hospital and make funeral arrangements.
— Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, asked senators to kill his own bill (Senate Bill 95) requiring prompt payment of construction contracts, saying it was doomed because of opposition from cities and counties. He said payment delays threaten to drive small contractors out of business. Despite the bill’s failure, Tapia said he hopes lawmakers can pressure their local officials to make timely payments to construction businesses to prevent that.
