Date: 04/03/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB14-1296

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment C). The motion p
Refer House Bill 14-1296, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS



02:00 PM -- HB14-1296

The committee recessed.


02:04 PM

The committee returned to order. Representative Landgraf, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 14-1296, concerning the enforcement of prohibitions against designer drugs by the Division of Liquor Enforcement within the Department of Revenue. Representative Landgraf explained the effect of the bill, and noted that the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police supports the bill. Representative Landgraf discussed the fiscal impact of the bill and noted the effect of prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment C). Representative Landgraf responded to questions regarding the enforcement powers of a liquor enforcement investigator, and the need for the legislation in light of these powers. Discussion ensued regarding the removal of the authority of the Liquor Enforcement Division over the cultivation of designer drugs by amendment L.001.

14HseJud0403AttachC.pdf14HseJud0403AttachC.pdf

02:13 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 14-1296:

02:13 PM -- Sergeant Scott Pendleton, representing the Aurora Police Department, testified in support of the bill. Sgt. Pendleton discussed his department's efforts to police so-called spice and other designer drugs, and the distribution and sale of these drugs. He also discussed issues associated with designer drugs, such as overdoses, and successes experienced by the department in confiscating the drugs. Sgt. Pendleton responded to questions regarding the legal classification of certain designer drugs, and the relationship between local police departments and the Department of Revenue in policing designer drugs under the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the need for House Bill 14-1296, considering that liquor enforcement investigators are currently empowered to enforce all of the state's laws.


02:23 PM

Discussion ensued regarding the resources available within the Department of Revenue for liquor enforcement.

02:23 PM -- Mr. Grier Bailey, representing the Colorado-Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bailey discussed the importance of the bill to public safety, and addressed questions raised earlier about the need for the legislation.

02:26 PM -- Mr. Patrick Maroney, representing the Liquor Enforcement Division within the Department of Revenue, testified in support of House Bill 14-1296. Mr. Maroney discussed the benefits of empowering the division to police the retail sale of designer drugs. Discussion ensued regarding the ability of the division to police designer drugs without being allocated additional personnel under the bill. Discussion followed regarding the need for the legislation. Mr. Maroney responded to questions regarding the purpose of the bill. Discussion returned to the fiscal impact of the bill.


02:34 PM

Representative Gardner explained the effect of amendment L.001.
BILL:HB14-1296
TIME: 02:35:25 PM
MOVED:Waller
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Lawrence
VOTE
Buckner
Court
Gardner
Lawrence
McLachlan
Murray
Pettersen
Salazar
Waller
Lee
Kagan
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


02:36 PM

Representative Landgraf provided closing remarks in support of House Bill 14-1296. Various committee members expressed their positions on the bill.
BILL:HB14-1296
TIME: 02:38:11 PM
MOVED:Murray
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1296, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 7-4.
SECONDED:Lawrence
VOTE
Buckner
No
Court
No
Gardner
Yes
Lawrence
Yes
McLachlan
Yes
Murray
Yes
Pettersen
Yes
Salazar
No
Waller
Yes
Lee
Yes
Kagan
No
Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



02:50 PM

The committee adjourned.