Date: 04/30/2009

Final
SUMMARY for HCR09-1005

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to lay over House Concurrent Resolution 09-1
Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005		PASS
TIE



01:26 PM -- House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005

Representative May, prime sponsor, presented House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005, concerning the creation of an independent redistricting commission. The committee began hearing testimony on the resolution at its April 28th meeting. Committee members received a letter in support of the resolution from Ms. Elena Nunez of Common Cause (Attachment I).

090430AttachI.pdf

01:27 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005:

01:27 PM -- Senator Ken Gordon, former Senate Majority Leader representing himself, testified in favor of the resolution. Senator Gordon provided background on the most recent redistricting efforts based on the 2000 census, and how these efforts led him to support the idea of creating a bipartisan commission for redistricting. Senator Gordon discussed the value of competitive elections. Discussion ensued regarding the removal of politics and partisanship from redistricting. Discussion followed regarding the lack of dialogue on the issues covered by the resolution based on the timing of the resolution's introduction.

01:38 PM

Discussion continued regarding the timing of the introduction of House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005, and the chances of the resolution passing through the process during the current legislative session.


01:42 PM -- Ms. Christine Watson, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in favor of the resolution. Ms. Watson discussed past redistricting efforts in Colorado, and the benefits of reducing the size of the Reapportionment Commission. Ms. Watson also discussed a provision in the resolution that reduce the population deviation for districts, and the criteria that can be considered when redistricting is undertaken. Discussion ensued regarding the timing of the introduction of House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005, and the importance of having the legislature refer the measure to the ballot as opposed to having the measure end up on the ballot through initiative. Discussion ensued regarding the ability to amend referenda once approved.


01:54 PM -- Mr. John Straayer, representing himself, testified in favor of House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005. Mr. Straayer discussed how creating an independent redistricting commission would benefit both major political parties, and the benefits of removing politics from the redistricting process. Mr. Straayer supported the configuration of the new independent redistricting commission under the resolution.


01:58 PM

Representative May discussed the positions of other parties with regard to House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005, and the impact of partisanship on redistricting under current law. Representative May also discussed past irregularities and strategies in Colorado redistricting efforts, resulting in judicial action.


02:08 PM

Representative May continued to discuss the most recent redistricting effort in Colorado, and the potential for partisanship to weigh heavily on Colorado's next round of redistricting. Representative May also discussed the potential for the resolution to end up on the ballot by initiative. Representative May responded to questions regarding previous efforts to create an independent redistricting commission, and the process that would be observed if nominations to the commission created by the resolution are deadlocked. Discussion ensued regarding the timing of the resolution's introduction, and the need for a more thorough debate on the measure.


BILL:HCR 09-1005
TIME: 02:18:26 PM
MOVED:Massey
MOTION:Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005 to the Committee on Appropriations. A substitute motion to Postpone Indefinitely the resolution passed.
SECONDED:Nikkel
VOTE
Casso
Court
Hullinghorst
Lambert
Massey
McCann
Miklosi
Murray
Nikkel
Labuda
Todd
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: TIE


BILL:HCR 09-1005
TIME: 02:18:41 PM
MOVED:Casso
MOTION:Moved to lay over House Concurrent Resolution 09-1005 until May 7th, effectively Postponing Indefinitely the bill. The motion passed on a 6-5 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Labuda
VOTE
Casso
Yes
Court
No
Hullinghorst
Yes
Lambert
No
Massey
No
McCann
Yes
Miklosi
Yes
Murray
No
Nikkel
No
Labuda
Yes
Todd
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS