Highlights from the Colorado Legislature on Monday:
— A partisan standoff over redistricting continued, with the Republican-controlled House approving new congressional districts in a plan favored by the GOP. Lawmakers have until Wednesday to agree to new district lines to avoid a special session or lawsuit.
— A proposal to merge the Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks is on to Gov. John Hickenlooper, who originally proposed the idea. The Senate agreed to changes made by the House to Senate Bill 208.
— House lawmakers passed a proposal to reinstate a tax break for agricultural products (House Bill 1005). The bill, part of the 2011-2012 state budget deal, now goes to Hickenlooper for his signature.
— The House approved a measure requiring that the titles of statewide ballot proposals be written in plain language (House Bill 1304). The bill now goes to the Senate.
— The House gave final approval to a bill that reorganizes the Governor’s Energy Office and changes the name to the Colorado Energy Office (House Bill 1312). The measure now goes to the Senate.
— A bill to set aside more money to renovate the Capitol’s crumbling dome advanced without debate in the Senate, which gave preliminary approval to House Bill 1310.
— House Democrats skewered the Republican majority in a series of skits known as “hummers,” in which the House minority pokes fun at the majority.
