PROPOSAL NUMBER: 004-04

PROPOSAL NUMBER: 004-04

PROPOSAL SUBJECT: Recommendations for action by the Green Party of Colorado

PRESENTER: Legislative Committee (Members: Bruce Meyer, Green Party Denver; Edie Thomas; Bruce Field (GPLC Cochairman), Green Party registered voter in Jeffco; Mike Chamness, Green Party registered in Delta; Paul Hodapp, Faculty advisor for the Green Party at UNC in Greeley; Tanya Ishikawa, Green Party registered voter in Jeffco

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
Since the start of the current Session of the Colorado Legislature, the GPCO Legislative Committee has been meeting by email. This is their report at mid-session and their recommendations for action by the Green Party of Colorado.
REFERENCES:
This is a link to the bills on the Legislative pages, so that anyone who is interested can read the bill for themselves, if they wish. www.leg.state.co.us

FULL PROPOSAL:

The Bills and the Legislative Committee proposals/recommendations for GPCO actions and positions:

HB04-1203

Concerning limitations on the power of governmental entities to restrict the rights of property owners.

Oppose in its current form

03/12/2004 House Second Reading Special Order - Re-referred to Information & Technology

This Bill was good in its original form, but amendments have ruined it.

HB04-1309

Concerning the creation of a safe routes to school program. Support

03/18/2004 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government + Appropriations
Passed House

Good Bill

HB04-1175

Emergency Contraception Support

03/16/2004 Senate Committee on State Veterans & Military Affairs Postpone Indefinitely

HB04-1078

Sex Materials Harm to Kids Oppose

03/19/2004 Senate Second Reading Laid Over to 03/22/2004

HB04-1002

Concerning conforming amendments to the pledge of allegiance statute…

Bill summary: Specifies that the pledge of allegiance shall be recited each school day by elementary and secondary students.

Oppose, in it’s original form

Passed with amendments

As passed (with amendments) this is a better Statute than the earlier Statute, which forced kids to recite the pledge. Now they can chose to not recite it. This is good.

HB04-1183

Concerning energy efficiency standards for specified devices Support

01/28/2004 House Committee on Transportation & Energy Postpone Indefinitely

Propose the GPOC support this bill, it ties with in 04-1184 as well. My recommendation would be to implement it earlier (2005).

HB04-1184

Concerning measures to reduce energy bills through utility energy conservation programs. Support

01/28/2004 House Committee on Transportation & Energy Postpone Indefinitely

The GPOC should support this; it ties in with 04-1183 as well. My recommendation would be to implement it with a larger reduction (1% vs. 5%) per year and not stop at the year 2020. It’s a step in the right direction

SB04-104

Concerning water conservation measures. Support, if amended

01/28/2004 Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy Postpone Indefinitely

Propose the GPOC support this bill only if they eliminate (section L, I to III) This cost should be paid for by the water supplier and the people using the water.

SB04-049

Concerning the expansion of employment discrimination protections.

Bill summary: Adds sexual orientation and gender variance to the list of characteristics for which a person may not be discriminated against under state law.

Support

02/04/2004 Senate Committee on Judiciary Postpone Indefinitely

We propose the GPOC support this bill. We believe this bill supports Green Party Principals of respect for diversity, social justice and nonviolence. Our recommendation is to work with other organizations and/or Veiga to get this bill or a similar one passed in the future

Other Bill considered HB04-1296, 02/23/2004 House Committee on Local Government Postpone Indefinitely