Final
BILL SUMMARY for
SB05-094
HOUSE
COMMITTEE ON
STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS
Votes:
Action Taken:
Moved Amendment L.006, as amended. Rep. Weissmann
Moved to amend L.006, to remove the safety clause
Referred SB05-094, as amended, to the Committee of
Referred SB05-094, as amended, to the Committee of
PASS
Pass Without Objection
PASS
PASS
02:36 PM -- Senate Bill 05-094
Representative Weissmann, prime sponsor, introduced the bill and discussed Amendment L.006 which returns the bill to its original form as introduced in the Senate, before it was amended. The bill relates to the review of draft ballot information booklets by the Legislative Council. He responded to committee questions. The committee discussed the constitutionality related to the drafting of the draft ballot information booklet ("blue book"). Representative Lundberg indicated that he believes the General Assembly should have some role in this process, and not be eliminated from the development of the blue book. Rep. Weissmann indicated that the constitution allows the director of research of the legislative council of the general assembly to modify the blue book, and that the legislative council shall not modify the booklet.
The following people testified:
02:42 PM
Representative Weissmann discussed the lawsuit related to this issue, brought by Senator Gordon. He responded to committee questions.
02:48 PM --
Pete Maysmith, representing Common Cause, Director, testified in support of the bill. He stated that Common Cause believes the blue book plays an invaluable role in disseminating ballot issue information. He noted that the Legislative Council Staff does a terrific job in balancing the ballot arguments. He believes that the process works, in an impartial sense, up until the book is reviewed by Legislative Council. He believes the process should be left to staff, and that the members of the General Assembly should remain out of the process. Mr. Maysmith responded to committee questions. Mr. Maysmith explained the blue book drafting process to the committee.
02:57 PM --
Dan Willis, representing himself, an election judge, testified in support of the bill. He believes the legislature still has several opportunities to provide input during the drafting of the blue book. He believes the staff does do a better job in developing the blue book than the members of the legislature. He responded to committee questions. Mr. Willis noted that he believes the legislative staff has a role to draft a balanced presentation of the issue.
BILL:
SB05-094
TIME:
03:02:48 PM
MOVED:
Weissmann
MOTION:
Moved Amendment L.006. Rep. Weissmann explained the amendment. Rep. Schultheiss offered a substitute motion.
SECONDED:
Coleman
VOTE
Cadman
Excused
Carroll T.
Coleman
Crane
Gallegos
Liston
Lundberg
Schultheis
Todd
Ragsdale
Weissmann
Not Final
YES:
0
NO:
0
EXC:
1
ABS:
0
FINAL ACTION:
TIE
BILL:
SB05-094
TIME:
03:05:11 PM
MOVED:
Schultheis
MOTION:
Moved to amend L.006, to remove the safety clause and put in the standard effective clause.
SECONDED:
Crane
VOTE
Cadman
Excused
Carroll T.
Coleman
Crane
Gallegos
Liston
Lundberg
Schultheis
Todd
Ragsdale
Weissmann
Not Final
YES:
0
NO:
0
EXC:
1
ABS:
0
FINAL ACTION:
Pass Without Objection
BILL:
SB05-094
TIME:
03:10:24 PM
MOVED:
Weissmann
MOTION:
Referred SB05-094, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 6-4-1 vote.
SECONDED:
Carroll T.
VOTE
Cadman
Excused
Carroll T.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Crane
No
Gallegos
Yes
Liston
No
Lundberg
No
Schultheis
No
Todd
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Weissmann
Yes
Final
YES:
6
NO:
4
EXC:
1
ABS:
0
FINAL ACTION:
PASS