Date: 03/09/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1161

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Postpone House Bill 15-1161 indefinitely. The moti
Refer House Bill 15-1161 to the Committee of the W		PASS
FAIL



04:28 PM -- HB15-1161

The committee took a brief recess.


04:41 PM

The committee returned to order. Representative Klingenschmitt, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1161. This bill limits the remedies available to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC) and state courts when there is a determination of discrimination in a place of public accommodation. Specifically, the bill prohibits any remedy that involuntarily requires speech, an artistic act, or a religious act that involves, whether directly or indirectly, participation in or promotion of an ideology, ceremony, creed, behavior, or other practice with which the violator disagrees.


04:53 PM

Representative Klingenschmitt's presentation of the bill continued.


05:05 PM

Members of the committee questioned Representative Klingenschmitt about his motives for sponsoring the bill.

05:13 PM -- Nicolle Martin, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Martin discussed one of her clients, who is a cake artist. She responded to questions from the committee.

05:19 PM -- Dave Montez, representing One Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Montez expressed his opinion that the bill seeks to change decades of settled case law regarding discrimination. He talked about public accommodation and equality.

05:23 PM -- Carolyn Martin, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Martin read a statement from Bill Jack (Attachment C). She responded to questions from the committee about Mr. Jack.

15HouseState0309AttachC.pdf15HouseState0309AttachC.pdf

05:30 PM -- Chuck Ward, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Ward expressed concern about the bill's potential negative impact on the ability of Denver businesses to attract young employees.

05:33 PM -- Michael Stapleton, representing the Libertarian Party of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Stapleton expressed his opinion that individuals have the right to set a standard for selling creativity.

05:36 PM -- Danny de Zayas, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. de Zayas discussed his photography business. He expressed his opinion that the bill is unnecessary and might hurt his business. He responded to questions from the committee.

05:41 PM -- Mark Braunlich, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Braunlich discussed the inherent conflict among non-discrimination laws, public accommodation laws, and the First Amendment. He responded to questions from the committee.

05:48 PM -- Ruth Rinehart, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Rinehart spoke against the bill from the perspectives of a business owner and a person of faith. She discussed the limits of the exercise of religious freedom. She stated that no artist is compelled to sell his or her art in the public square.

05:52 PM -- Stan Lightfoot, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Lightfoot discussed an ongoing CCRC case involving a cake artist. He responded to questions from the committee.

05:59 PM -- Sarah Parady, representing the Colorado Women's Bar Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Parady discussed case law involving free speech and public accommodation laws. She responded to questions from the committee.

06:10 PM -- Barry Roseman, representing the Plaintiff Employment Lawyers' Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Roseman discussed government-compelled speech and the effect of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

06:22 PM -- Amanda Henderson, representing the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Henderson spoke about religious freedom and diversity. She expressed her opinion that the bill could be used to discriminate against religious minorities.

06:25 PM -- Nathan Woodliff-Stanley, representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Woodliff-Stanley reiterated the testimony of prior witnesses and responded to questions from the committee.

06:33 PM -- Stuart Pack, representing the Anti-Defamation League, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Pack expressed his opinion that the bill is unnecessary and would allow institutionalized discrimination under the guise of freedom of religion.

06:37 PM -- Elizabeth Mueller, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Mueller discussed her personal and professional background. She talked about legislation in Uganda that penalizes homosexuality with life imprisonment.

06:41 PM -- D'Arcy Straub, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Straub expressed his opinion that marriage should not be a legal concept. He discussed biology, evolution, and public policy. He expressed his opinion that all people should be treated with respect.

06:45 PM -- Christine Watson, representing the League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Watson reiterated the testimony of prior witnesses.

06:47 PM -- Sheri Proctor, representing the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Proctor spoke against the bill from the perspective of a transgendered individual.


06:51 PM

Representative Klingenschmitt wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.
BILL:HB15-1161
TIME: 07:00:37 PM
MOVED:Humphrey
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1161 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a vote of 2-9.
SECONDED:Neville P.
VOTE
Foote
No
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
No
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
No
Tate
No
Thurlow
No
Tyler
No
Willett
No
Salazar
No
Ryden
No
YES: 2 NO: 9 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:HB15-1161
TIME: 07:00:54 PM
MOVED:Salazar
MOTION:Postpone House Bill 15-1161 indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 9-2.
SECONDED:Foote
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
No
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
No
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS