Senate Committee on Judiciary (04/15/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Date:	04/15/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:31 PM to 01:59 PM	Cooke	X
		Guzman	X
Place:	SCR 352	Merrifield	X
		Lundberg	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Roberts	X
	Senator Roberts

This Report was prepared by
	Conrad Imel
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HB15-1203		Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar

01:31 PM -- HB15-1203

Senator Roberts, chair, called the committee to order. Senator Steadman, sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1203, concerning earned time for certain offenders serving life sentences as habitual offenders. Senator Steadman explained that this bill was recommended by the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ). He explained the effect of the bill and his reasons for sponsoring the bill, including promoting equal treatment of offenders and offering hope for offenders. In response to committee questions, Senator Steadman clarified that earned time would apply retroactively, and discussed the fiscal note for the bill.

01:37 PM -- Mr. Doug Wilson, vice-chair of the CCJJ, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Wilson explained sentencing for habitual offenders and stated that offenders convicted between 1985 and 1993 are not eligible for earned time, though other similarly situated offenders are eligible. He explained that the bill does not grant earned time to any offenders, but only makes them eligible for such credit. Mr. Wilson discussed the CCJJ and the process for approving bills. In response to committee questions, Mr. Wilson further discussed the CCJJ's process for approving HB 15-1203, how offenders would receive earned time under the bill, and victim participation in the change in earned time policies.

01:47 PM

Mr. Wilson continued to explain the bill. Mr. Wilson described the sentencing differences between a habitual offender who committed a class 6 felony today and such an offender who committed a class 6 felony between 1985-1993. Mr. Wilson discussed victims' rights and participation in the CCJJ.

01:52 PM -- Ms. Dianne Tramutola-Lawson, representing Colorado Cure, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Tramutola-Lawson discussed her experiences working with habitual offenders sentenced between 1985-1993.

01:54 PM

Senator Steadman provided closing remarks on the bill and asked for the committee's support. Senator Cooke discussed his position on the bill.


BILL:	HB15-1203
TIME:	01:58:06 PM
MOVED:	Merrifield
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1203 to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Cooke	Yes
	Guzman	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes
	Lundberg	Yes
	Roberts	Yes


Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:59 PM

The committee adjourned.