Highlights from the Legislature on Tuesday:
— The House Appropriations Committee backed a bill to take over a state-created workers compensation insurance company to balance next year’s budget. Lawmakers are hoping to use some of Pinnacol Assurance’s reserves to avoid huge cuts in higher education.
— About 200 college students rallied on the West Steps and called on state lawmakers from both parties to avoid a $300 million cut to higher education. They’re concerned the possible money from Pinnacol may get tied up in court and not be available to bail out colleges and universities.
— The House gave tentative approval to a bill that would allow college students to vote for optional fees for civic programs. The House rejected a proposal to spell out backers behind the proposed fees, saying students could find that out by themselves. The bill (House Bill 1313) faces a third reading before it goes to the Senate.
— The House gave initial approval to a bill that would require companies that hire people to circulate initiative petitions to be licensed in Colorado. House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, says concerns were raised in recent elections about the use of paid petition circulators, some from out of state. The bill (House Bill 1326) also would require that circulators be trained so they can comply with petition laws. The bill must pass a third reading before it goes to the Senate.
— The Senate gave initial backing to a proposal (House Bill 1180) to allow concealed weapons permit holders to skip background checks each time they buy a gun after four Democrats joined with Republicans to support it.
— The Senate gave initial approval to a measure (Senate Bill 180) giving firefighters the right to unionize and negotiate contracts. Right now, cities with home-rule charters must vote on whether to allow police and firefighters to organize and allow collective bargaining for employment contracts.
New Bills
— Requires the Public Utilities Commission to study the adequacy of construction plans for electrical transmission lines (House Bill 1345).
