Highlights from the Colorado Legislature on Tuesday:
— The House Health and Environment Committee voted 7-6 on party lines to opt out of federal health care mandates and join with other states instead. House Bill 1273 now heads to the House Appropriations Committee.
— The Senate voted unanimously to confirm Democratic Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia to also serve as commissioner of higher education.
— The Senate gave initial approval to an air-quality measure over Republican objections (House Bill 1291).
— The Senate ditched a bill that would have lowered mileage reimbursement payments for state employees. Senators noted high gas prices as they shuttled Senate Bill 220.
—Gov. John Hickenlooper signed bills that require a person with a disability or disability representative to be on the state Board of Housing, the Medical Services Board, and the State Board of Human Services (Senate Bill 183).
— A group of female marijuana activists marked Sexual Assault Awareness Month with an unusual message delivered to lawmakers—marijuana may be safer than booze.
— The crime of adultery appears headed toward repeal in Colorado, where the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-1 to repeal the old crime, as well as a law against “promoting sexual immorality.”
— Colorado lawmakers backed away from sweeping new rules on solitary confinement in state prisons. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted instead for a watered-down measure that makes only small changes to how the Colorado Department of Corrections decides to put an inmate in solitary.
— Both chambers have agreed on a bill eliminating tax breaks for small properties that aren’t being used for farming or ranching.
