2023

May 13, 2023

1. Ugly Session Ends in an Ugly Way

2. The Polis Extortion Acts

3. Larimer County Lincoln Day Dinner

4. General Session Bills

5. Join the Breakfast Club Zoom Call Next Monday

1. Ugly Session Ends in an Ugly Way

The session ended in the same way that all 120 days were conducted, relentlessly driving their radical agenda with little regard for maintaining decorum and process for the legislative system. Here is a press release the House Republicans sent out describing their repeated actions to shut down debate. In my 16 years in the legislature I never experienced such abuse of the process that was the standard for 2023.

To the credit of the Republicans in both chambers, they worked together to try to stop this out of control train. Several bad bills had some of their teeth pulled out and a few really bad ones were actually killed.

It got so bad on the last vote on the last bill (SB-303) the House Republicans actually walked out on the vote to protest the way they had been treated during the debate.

My hat is off to their tireless work in this ugly session!

2. The Polis Extortion Acts

At the very end of the session two bills were introduced, ostensibly to address the coming property tax increases. However, a careful reading reveals the deeper purpose – to dismantle the TABOR spending limits. It will take a few years to play out, but the tax increases in this bill, through a compounding growth of the state government spending limits, will make returning any money to the taxpayer a thing of the past.

Ben Murrey, from The Independence Institute describes the effect of SB-303 in this short video. The essence is if the change in TABOR is approved nex November (Proposition HH) property tax rates will be slightly reduced. Due to the assesment increases propoerty taxes will still go up significantly, but with prop HH the increase will be slightly less. If the people reject the change to TABOR refunds, no property tax rate reductions. That is called extortion. And then, as if that much coersion was not enough, in the final three days of the session another bill was introduced to flaten the TABOR reductions for next year, but agind, only if Prop HH passes. This is nothing more than a brazen effort to buy votes for Prop HH.

I call this bill (HB-1311) the Son of the Polis Extortion Act. The governor should not be rewarded for this ugly government trick.

3. Larimer County Lincoln Day Dinner

With the session behind us, it is time to turn our attention to other political efforts. Here in Larimer County the Lincoln Day Dinner is set for September 9. that may seem like a long way off, but the party needs to launch the ticket sales right now is help cover the initial costs for the event. Please consider buying your ticket now for this important fund-raising and energy-creating event. For more information click here.

4. General Session Bills

617 bills were introduced. Here is my final list of the 70 bills I consider most significant. It is still to be seen if the governor will veto any bill. but I have not heard any rumors that he will stop any of these bills that were eventually passed:

PLV means party line vote.

The best bills:

HB-1017 CONCERNING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ELECTRONIC SALES AND USE TAX SIMPLIFICATION SYSTEM I don’t like the Colorado sales tax system at all, and this does not repeal it, but it is designed to take a little bit of the pain out of collecting sales taxes. Passed

HB-1029 CONCERNING MEASURES TO PROHIBIT REQUIRING ADMINISTRATION OF A COVID-19 VACCINE TO A MINOR WITHOUT INFORMED CONSENT. Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1038CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF A CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT HAS BEEN STOLEN FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE It would make it more possible and economical to replace a stolen catalytic converter. Lost in first committee, PLV.

HB 1044 “SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT” This bill is designed to prohibit enforcement of federal laws that infringe on the right to bear arms. Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1050 USE OF DEADLY PHYSICAL FORCE AGAINST A PERSON WHO HAS MADE AN ILLEGAL ENTRY INTO A PLACE OF BUSINESS The business version of the make my day law. Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1054 CONCERNING REAL PROPERTY VALUATION This bill will smooth out the property tax explosion we will see if this bill does not pass. Lost in First Committee

HB-1055 PROHIBIT WIRELESS NETWORKING VOTING SYSTEMS They say the machines don’t have wireless connections, how about making it the law? Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1063 REDUCTION OF STATE INCOME TAX RATE to 3.5% Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1079 INCOME TAX CREDITS FOR NONPUBLIC EDUCATION This is a bill idea I first introduced nearly 20 years ago and somebody has carried it every year since then. The idea is sound, but the teacher’s union is opposed to it. Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1080 RELIABLE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES This bill encourages nuclear and hydro power. Lost in first committee.

HB-1085 RURAL ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING CODES Extends the dates that rural areas have to adopt these new, restrictive codes. Lost in first committee

HB-1086 DUE PROCESS ASSET FORFEITURE ACT This places reasonable limits on civil forfeiture actions. Passed

HB-1119 ABOLISHING ABORTIONS IN COLORADO The bill title says it all. Thank you Rep. Bottoms for sponsoring this bill. With Roe overturned this is no longer an academic exercise. To vote against this bill is to condemn thousands of children to certain death. To vote for the bill is to give them life! Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1127 Customer’s Right To Use Energy Prohibits local government from banning natural gas, etc. Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1142 Information Of Person Reporting Child Abuse This eliminates anonymous reporting. Lost

HB-1150 Provide Information On Abortion Pill Reversal A pro-life bill lost in first committee, PLV

HB23-1163 Revoke Carbon Dioxide Status As A Pollutant This is a scientifically accurate proposal! Lost in first committee, PLV

HB23-1166 Repeal Retail Delivery Fees This needs no explanation. Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1173 Modify Department Of Transportation Governance Make Transportation Commission members an elected positions. Lost in first committee, PLV

HB-1188 Authorizing a Public School to Offer Individualized Learning A form of public school at home – might have some merit… Lost

SB-025 “IN GOD WE TRUST” SPECIAL LICENSE PLATE Passed

SB-026PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA This will prohibit a bank from discriminating against a borrower because of a perceived environmental impact from the loan. The bill is designed to stop woke virtue signaling in the banking industry. Lost in first committee, PLV.

SB-079 NUCLEAR ENERGY AS A CLEAN ENERGY RESOURCE This bill states the obvious: nuclear is a clean energy. Lost in first committee, PLV

SB-108 Allowing Temporary Reductions In Property Tax Due Allows local governments to temporarily reduce property taxes Passed

SB-143 Retail Delivery Fees Gives some relief to the collection of retail delivery fees. Signed by governor.

SB-262 Study the feasibility of desalination for California and Mexico to supplement their needs for Colorado River water. It is about time that this gets into gear. I started recommending this nearly 20 years ago. Lost

The worst bills:

HB-1003 “SIXTH THROUGH TWELFTH GRADE MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT ACT” Pass this and schools may start acting like mental health wards. Passed Senate, PLV

HB-1020 CONCERNING SOCIAL EQUITY LICENSES IN THE REGULATED MARIJUANA BUSINESS. First, what is a social equity license? Is it a streamlined licensing process? That may be a good idea, but not just for a privileged few. Simplify licensing, but do it for all. Better yet, get rid of most of the licensing authority of the state. Lost

HB-1057 CERTAIN PUBLIC BUILDINGS HAVE RESTROOMS WITH AMENITIES FOR ALL GENDERS. What are “all” genders? Both genders (which is self evident) or dozens of genders (which is absurd nonsense). Passed, PLV.

HB-1068 PET ANIMAL OWNERSHIP IN HOUSING This creates a whole new category of regulations for rental properties, including banning any extra deposits or rent increase for pets. Passed, PLV.

HB-1095 LIMITATIONS ON RENTAL AGREEMENTS This is a long list of what cannot be in a housing rental agreement. This will inevitably drive up the cost of renting in Colorado, which is already way too high. Passed

HB-1118 FAIR WORKWEEK EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS This looks like a union bill without the union. The bottom line is it makes it that much more complicated to hire somebody and will discourage businesses from creating more jobs and reduce potential wages for those jobs because of the additional costs of keeping employees. Lost in first committee

HB23-1154 Ballot Issue Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report More global warming nonsense. Lost in first committee

HB23-1165 County Authority To Prohibit Firearms Discharge Another gun control law which includes a prohibition on private property. Lost

HB-1171 Just Cause Requirement Eviction Of Residential Tenant More controls on rentals, increasing the cost of renting homes. Lost

HB_1185 Requirements For Recall Elections And Vacancies This is the recall protection act. It says that if a legislator is recalled, they must be replaced by someone from their own party. No longer would the voting citizens be able to switch the party for that office through a recall. Passed Senate, but partisan requirement for replacement candidates was removed from the bill. Signed by Governor.

HB-1190 Affordable Housing Right Of First Refusal Forcing property owners to give the local government 90 days to review any property sale and buy it for the same terms the owner made with a private purchaser. Passed, PLV.

HB-1202 Overdose Prevention Center Authorization This sets up illegal drug injection centers. That’s right, places where drug addicts can take illegal drugs without any legal consequences. Lost in Senate committee.

HB-1206 County Sheriffs and District Attorneys Requires all candidates for these offices to petition on to the ballot and eliminates any party affiliation from their election. This is another direct attack on the caucus system. Killed in Senate committee.

HB-1209 Analysis of a universal health-care system. First step to government funded medical care. Lost

HB-1210 Concerning Carbon Management -Just think of the possibilities here! Passed

HB-1219 Waiting Period To Deliver A Firearm Require three day wait to buy a firearm. Signed by governor.

HB-1230 Assault Weapons Ban Banning the manufacture, sale or transfer of any semi-automatic firearm that accepts a removable magazine and has a pistol grip, or other details they don’t like… Lost in House committee.

HB-1245 Campaign Restrictions on Municipality Elections Among other limitations, this bill prohibits political parties from contributing to a non-partisan race. Passed Senate.

HB-1254 Habitability of Rental Properties This bill will guarantee an increase in rental rates across the state as property owners will have to be prepared to pay significant costs if a tenant makes a habitability claim. Passed

HB-1272 (https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb23-1272) Tax Policy That Advances Decarbonization Tax credits for “green” products and a property tax increase for oil and gas production (where is the required TABOR vote of the people?). Passed

HB-1294 Pollution Protection Measures This is a very long bill tightening up the control the state health department will have over emission controls for businesses, including oil and gas operations. This may eliminate oil and gas operations in Colorado. Passed

HB-1309 Changes to Film Production Tax Credit Converts these tax credits to come from TABOR refunds, up to $50 million. Passed House.

HB-1311 Identical Temporary TABOR Refund or Son of Polis Extortion Act Graft for most voters to pass Prop HH. Passed, PLV.

SB-016 PROMOTE REDUCTIONS IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN COLORADO This is a very dangerous bill, calling for ZERO CO2 emissions by 2050, and tightening up all target dates before that deadline. Passed, PLV.

SB-21 ORDERING OF NAMES ON PRIMARY BALLOTS This will weaken the assembly system by not making the top vote in the district assembly the top line on the primary ballot and makes all primary ballot names (by district assembly and by petition) random. It is one more step toward a jungle primary mess. My thanks to the bill sponsor for requesting the bill be killed in committee, which they did.

SB-101 Candidate Ballot Access For Primary Elections This bill will force all primary candidates to petition on to the ballot. Lost in first Committee

SB-105 Ensure Equal Pay For Equal Work More micro managing private businesses. This bill, intended to “help” employees, will discourage job growth. Passed

SB-111 Public Employees’ Workplace Protection Unionize government employees. Passed, PLV.

SB-168 Gun Violence Victims’ Access To Judicial System Allows a gun manufacturer or seller to be sued by anyone injured by a gun they made or sold to a third party. Was amended down to a nothing burger. Signed by governor.

SB-169 Increasing Minimum Age To Purchase Firearms From 18 to 21. Signed by governor.

SB-170 Extreme Risk Protection Order Petitions Expanding the red flag law. Signed by governor.

SB-175 Financing Of Downtown Development Authority Projects Extends URL tax schemes for several decades without a vote of the people. Passed

SB-184 Protections For Residential Tenants If I am reading this right, it requires a landlord to rent to the first person who applies for the property and it protects the renter from eviction if any violation of this law is claimed. There are several other absurd requirements, too many to list here. This could be the worst anti-landlord bill I have ever seen. The worst parts were amended out. Passed

SB-188 Protections for Accessing Reproductive Health Care Giving abortion doctors certain legal immunities. Signed by governor.

SB-189 Increasing Access to Reproductive Health-Care Forces medical insurance companies to provide abortions without deductibles and copays. Signed by governor.

SB-190 Deceptive Actions Regarding Pregnancy-Related Services Directly attacks crisis pregnancy centers. Signed by governor.

SB-198 Clean Energy Plans This is a very bad bill. It accelerates the push to eliminate coal fired electric utilities, putting immediate teeth into the governor’s plan to eliminate coal plants by 2030. Passed, PLV.

SB-213 Land Use Taking away local control from counties and municipalities on residential properties. Lost

SB-261 Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board This will treat all direct care workforce people like they were in a union, run by the government! Passed, PLV.

SB23-276 Modifications To Laws Regarding Elections A very long bill (87 sections) that makes many changes to election law, including removing critical components to the recount procedures. Passed

SB-279 Unserialized Firearms And Firearm Components This makes “ghost guns” guns without serial numbers, illegal. Passed, PLV.

SB-292 Labor Requirements For Energy Sector Construction This looks like a forced union bill on big energy sector projects. Passed, PLV.

SB-301 Voting In Presidential Primary Elections Would have converted presidential elections to ranked choice voting. Lost in first committee.

SB-303 Polis Extortion Act Trade Small reduction in property tax rates for eliminating the tax refunds.

Passed, PLV with all Republicans walking out on the vote.

5. Join the Breakfast Club Zoom Call Next Monday

Every Monday morning at 7:30 AM we gather via Zoom to discuss the latest issues here in Colorado and beyond. With your computer or phone please be a part of the discussion.

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For Life and Liberty!

Kevin Lundberg
fmr Colorado State Senator

As the executive director for the Republican Study Committee of Colorado, I am working to keep this organization a powerful voice for conservative values in the Colorado legislature. We are a non-profit 501(c)4 organization, relying on contributions (which are not tax-deductible).

Donations can be sent to:

The Republican Study Committee of Colorado,P.O. Box 378, Berthoud, CO 80513.

The Republican Study Committee of Colorado(RSCC) is composed of conservative leaders within the Republican caucus of the Colorado legislature.

May 6, 2023

1. The End of the Session is Next Monday

2. Election Integrity – The Bad News

3. Election Integrity – The Good News

4. General Session Bills

5. Join the Breakfast Club Zoom Call Next Monday

1. The End of the Session is Next Monday

Finally.

This has been the most brutal session I have ever seen and the worst is yet to come, as these bills become law and begin to do their dirty work on the people of Colorado.

The range of issues in the sights of the majority party has been breathtaking, with several bills on each broad category compounding their effect. Those issues include abortion, rental properties, energy production, gun control, parental rights, elections, employment regulations, gender and so-called “equity” issues, TABOR, property taxes, laying the groundwork for socialized medical care, land use codes and more nonsence global warming hysteria over “carbon.”

Elections have consequences and this year’s general session is a stark reminder of what that really means.

2. Election Integrity – The Bad News

Here are two articles that speak to the critical need we have to face the problems we have in our election systems and fix those problems before we lose our republic. The first is called Unrigging Our Elections. This article reviews the problems we are facing with the current elections systems in our country and some general suggestions on how to deal with these problems.

3. Election Integrity – The Good News

The second article looks at what Florida did to their election laws in 2021. In the 2022 elections the results were highly suspicious across the country, except in Florida. This article, focused on a Federal court ruling which upheld their election laws, also give the specific details of what they did to fortify their election systems.

Our republic depends upon election integrity and well earned confidence in that integrity. Today we have neither in Colorado and the results of the 2023 legislative session reflect that reality.

4. General Session Bills

616 bills have been introduced, and with three days to go, that will probably be the final total. It is possible for a bill to be passed in three days, but this year’s backlog of bills makes the possibility of pouring more into the mix very improbable. I have seen some really bad bills in past sessions, but never so many on such a wide range of issues. The session will finally be over Monday night.

Here is a brief summary of 69 bills I consider most significant: