Joint Committee Committee on Joint Judiciary (01/27/2015)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT JUDICIARY

Date:	01/27/2015	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:07 AM to 11:16 AM	Buckner	*
		Carver	X
Place:	HCR 0112	Cooke	X
		Court	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Dore	X
	Representative Kagan	Foote	X
		Guzman	X
This Report was prepared by		Lawrence	X
	Bo Pogue	Lee	*
		Lundberg	*
		Lundeen	X
		Merrifield	*
		Pettersen	*
		Salazar	X
		Van Winkle	X
		Willett	X
		Roberts	X
		Kagan	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
Briefing by the Joint Budget Committee		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

10:08 AM -- Briefing by the Joint Budget Committee

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Senator Steadman, representing the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), introduced the JBC and its staff. Committee members received copies of the JBC FY 2015-16 Staff Budget Briefing Summary (the document may be accessed at: http://www.tornado.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/jbc/fy15-16brfsum-12-23-14.pdf ). Senator Steadman first provided an overview of the FY 2015-16 budget request for the Department Corrections (DOC), detailing changes from the prior fiscal year and certain budget decision items. Senator Steadman responded to questions regarding incarceration level trends, and a recent case before the Colorado Supreme Court pertaining to inmate earned time, which may result in the release of DOC inmates. Discussion ensued regarding the potential impact of this Supreme Court ruling on the state budget in FY 2015-16 and future fiscal years.

10:25 AM

Senator Steadman provided an overview of the Judicial Branch's FY 2015-16 budget request.

10:35 AM

Senator Steadman continued to brief the committee on the Judicial Branch's FY 2015-16 budget request, and noted the issues pertaining to the department outlined by JBC Staff. Senator Steadman responded to questions regarding a Judicial Branch request to use General Fund moneys to replace cash funds for certain functions, and a budget item that provides services in support of pro se litigants.

10:48 AM

Discussion continued regarding the supplanting of Judicial Branch cash funding with General Fund moneys. Senator Steadman provided an overview of the Department of Law's FY 2015-16 budget request. Senator Steadman responded to questions regarding certain administrative charges assessed to members of the general public by government agencies during Colorado Open Records Act requests. Senator Steadman returned to briefing the committee on the Department of Law's budget.

10:57 AM

Senator Steadman provided an overview of the Department of Public Safety's (DPS) FY 2015-16 budget request. Senator Steadman responded to questions regarding the fiscal impact of moving offenders from DOC incarceration to community corrections within DPS, and the ability of the JBC to account for movement of functions between departments. Senator Lambert provided input on this issue.

11:09 AM

Discussion continued regarding transitioning DOC inmates to community corrections, and the fiscal ramifications of doing so. Senator Steadman reviewed the current community corrections capacity. Senator Steadman noted some DPS budgetary issues presented to JBC by JBC Staff. Senators Steadman and Lambert discussed some ways that committee members may avail themselves of JBC-related resources.

11:16 AM

The committee adjourned.