Date: 04/27/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HCR06-1013

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer HCR 06-1013 to the Committee of the Whole.
Substitute motion to postpone indefinitely HCR 06-		TIE
PASS


03:14 PM -- House Concurrent Resolution 06-1013

Representative Lundberg, prime sponsor of HCR 06-1013, explained why he was bringing the resolution forward. The resolution submits a referendum to the voters to amend the Colorado Constitution to define pregnancy as "the process of gestation within a woman's body from the point of fertilization to birth." He responded to questions from the committee regarding differing definitions of pregnancy among medical organizations, and why it was necessary to amend the Colorado Constitution to add the above definition.

The following people testified on the resolution:

03:28 PM -- Rabbi Steven Foster, representing himself and the Religious Coalition For Reproductive Choice, spoke against the resolution. He explained that, in his religious tradition, life does not begin until after a child is born.

03:32 PM -- Mr. Tom Longua, representing the Colorado Right to Life Committee, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed the issues involved. Committee members were provided with information about pregnancy (Attachment B). Mr. Longua responded to questions from the committee. Representative Lundberg also commented.

03:53 PM -- Father Bill Carmody, representing himself, spoke in support of the resolution, noting how differing definitions of pregnancy are in use today and why it is necessary to have one definition and to protect the unborn.

04:03 PM -- Mr. Phillip Hendrix, representing himself and the Colorado Right to Life Committee, spoke in support of the resolution. He provided a historical perspective on the definition of pregnancy and explained why it was necessary to clarify the definition by referring it to the voters.

04:09 PM -- Ms. Kate Horle, representing Planned Parenthood, spoke against the resolution and explained why pregnancy is defined as "implantation" rather than "fertilization" by some major medical organizations.


04:14 PM

The chairman closed public testimony. No amendments were offered by the committee or the prime sponsor. Representative Lundberg made closing comments on the resolution.
BILL:HCR06-1013
TIME: 04:17:24 PM
MOVED:Clapp
MOTION:Refer HCR 06-1013 to the Committee of the Whole. A substitute motion was made thereafter, and passed (see below).
SECONDED:Decker
VOTE
Clapp
Decker
Gardner
Hefley
Jahn
Judd
Kerr A.
McGihon
Witwer
Carroll M.
Carroll T.
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: TIE
BILL:HCR06-1013
TIME: 04:17:44 PM
MOVED:McGihon
MOTION:Substitute motion to postpone indefinitely HCR 06-1013. The motion carried on a vote of 5-4-2.
SECONDED:Carroll M.
VOTE
Clapp
No
Decker
No
Gardner
Excused
Hefley
No
Jahn
Yes
Judd
Excused
Kerr A.
Yes
McGihon
Yes
Witwer
No
Carroll M.
Yes
Carroll T.
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 4 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



04:24 PM

The committee adjourned.