Author: doris beaver

Doris Beaver’s
EYE ON THE LEGISLATURE . . . 
February 6, 2012 
   The Sixty-eighth General Assembly is well under way.  Beginning with the General Assembly in 2005, Eye on the Legislature has presented the Governor’s State of the State address which allows the legislators time to get down to “legislating.” 
   Last week saw the first “oops” of the session with Representative Laura Bradford’s stop for DUI or not DUI, with the Denver Police Department unsure of just what to charge Bradford with and how to handle the matter. Seems a whole lot of people were unaware of “legislative privilege” until this bizarre event took place. 
   To add a little spice to the event, the week ended with Bradford unhappy at facing an ethics investigation initiated by fellow Republican/House Speaker Frank McNulty (R-Highlands Ranch).  Bradford’s threat to change party affiliations caused more than just a slight uproar – Republicans have a one-person majority.  If Bradford switches to the Democratic Party, the Democrats will then be in the majority in the House of Representatives, which means a clean sweep, as they are already in control of the Senate and the Governor’s office.  Not a good thing in this writer’s opinion – a balance of power is better for Colorado. 
House Bill 12-1004:  The legislative intent of this bill, to be known as the “Colorado Timber Act,” causes this writer to wonder why it is just now appearing on the legislature’s radar considering how long the pine beetle problem has been devastating the state (since the 1990’s according to the bill). 
   The bill’s declaration includes these findings:
•	More than three million acres have been affected;
•	Use of this lumber is prohibited by local building codes and thus is not used in Colorado but is shipped for sale out of state;
•	Using such lumber that is still structurally sound and durable for building in Colorado would be beneficial to the state.
   If passed and enacted, local government would be required to modify building codes to permit the use of lumber milled from Lodgepole pine or Englemann spruce trees having a grade of “stud” or better for the framing of buildings. As introduced, the building code provision would also require encouragement for the use of such lumber as building framing material. One can only opine, better late than never. 
Sponsorship of House Bill 12-1004:  Representative Laura Bradford (R-Grand Junction/Mesa) 866-2583. Senator Steve King (R-Garfield/Mesa) 866-3077. 
House Bill 12-1024:  The bill concerns the ballot titles of a statewide measure being written in plain language. Complaints are often voiced about the confusing manner in which ballot titles are written.  HB 1024 would require the title board to, “whenever practicable, avoid titles for which the general understanding of the effect of a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote will be unclear.” 
   The bill also requires any person, including members of the General Assembly and the office of Legislative Legal Services, who prepare or propose a ballot title of a statewide referred measure to word the ballot title “in plain, non-technical language and in a clear and coherent manner using words with common and everyday meaning that are understandable to the average reader.” Fiscal impact is undetermined at this time due to the uncertainty – some ballots may be longer, some shorter, when requirements of the bill are met. 
Sponsors of House Bill 12-1024:  Representative Libby Szabo (R-Jefferson) 866-2962. No sponsor in the Senate as of this date.
The reader’s comments or questions are always welcome.  E-mail me at doris@dorisbeaver.com.
Doris Beaver