Highlights from the Colorado Legislature on Tuesday:
— A divisive health insurance exchange plan (House Bill 200) cleared the Republican-controlled House Health & Education Committee 9-4.
— The redistricting standoff continued, as House Republicans introduced their congressional map (House Bill 1319) and planned a Thursday hearing on the map. As expected, the proposal closely mirrors existing congressional boundaries for Colorado’s seven districts.
— This year’s marijuana regulation bill (House Bill 1043) cleared the Senate Finance Committee and now heads to Senate Appropriations. The Finance Committee retained a privacy exemption for caregivers who would have to register their growing locations with the state.
— The House gave final approval, 54-11, to a bill changing the date of Colorado’s primary elections to an earlier date to give military and overseas voters more time to cast their ballots (Senate Bill 189).
— The Senate Transportation Committee rejected a youth driving bill that would allow drivers as young as 14 to drive on certain roads for agricultural work on a 5-3 vote (House Bill 1024).
— The House enjoyed a cherished annual tradition, a patriotic trumpet serenade from students at the University of Northern Colorado.
— The Senate approved and sent to the governor a bill that would set limits on fees for government approval of installation of solar energy equipment (House Bill 1199).
