HOUSE 3rd Reading Unamended February 29, 2012 HOUSE Amended 2nd Reading January 31, 2012Second Regular Session Sixty-eighth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO REENGROSSED This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted in the House of Introduction LLS NO. 12-0539.01 Kate Meyer x4348 HOUSE BILL 12-1040 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Casso, SENATE SPONSORSHIP Tochtrop, House Committees Senate Committees State, Veterans, & Military Affairs A BILL FOR AN ACT Concerning recognition of September 11 as a state holiday in certain years, and, in connection therewith, designating September 11 as "Patriot Day". Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://www.leg.state.co.us/billsummaries.) Each 10th and 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, is designated as a legal holiday in Colorado. In all other years, the bill recognizes September 11, also known as "Patriot Day", as an optional holiday. In such years, a state agency may allow an employee to substitute Patriot Day for another legal holiday, but is required to remain open on September 11. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and determines that: (a) On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes in order to cause harm and destruction to the United States of America; (b) On September 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m. local time, terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City; at 9:03 a.m., terrorists crashed United Airlines Flight 175 into the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City; at 9:37 a.m., terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon near Washington, D.C.; and, at 10:03 a.m., United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in southwestern Pennsylvania after a struggle by passengers to regain control of the airplane from terrorists; and (c) Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Americans displayed bravery, honor, and compassion by uniting to sacrifice for and give generously to those in need. (2) The general assembly also finds that: (a) The service and sacrifice of the men and women of the United States armed forces, reserve forces, and National Guard and their families since September 11, 2001, are feats deserving of special recognition; (b) Furthermore, the United States Navy unit commonly known as SEAL Team 6 has performed with uncommon valor, including in the 2011 operation that resulted in the apprehension of Osama bin Laden, the architect of the September 11, 2001, tragedies; and (c) The courageous efforts of first responders, including firefighters, police officers, and emergency personnel, who aided those in need following the tragedies of September 11, 2001, and who, since that time, continue to provide invaluable services across the United States, are also hereby noted. (3) The general assembly hereby declares that, in honor of those who innocently lost their lives, in honor of those who sacrificed their lives to help others, in gratitude for the post-September 11, 2001, services, both domestically and abroad, provided by members of the military, their families, and first responders, and in recognition of its status as a pivotal day in our nation's history, September 11, commonly called "Patriot Day", should be periodically observed as a state holiday in the state of Colorado. SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-11-101, amend (1) as follows: 24-11-101. Legal holidays - effect. (1) The following days, viz: The first day of January, commonly called New Year's day; the third Monday in January, which shall be observed as the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the third Monday in February, commonly called Washington-Lincoln day; the last Monday in May, commonly called Memorial day; the fourth day of July, commonly called Independence day; the first Monday in September, commonly called Labor day; the eleventh day in September, commonly called Patriot day, in those years as described in section 24-11-113 (2); the second Monday in October, commonly called Columbus day; the eleventh day of November, commonly called Veterans' day; the fourth Thursday in November, commonly called Thanksgiving day; the twenty-fifth day of December, commonly called Christmas day; and any day appointed or recommended by the governor of this state or the president of the United States as a day of fasting or prayer or thanksgiving, are hereby declared to be legal holidays and shall, for all purposes whatsoever, as regards the presenting for payment or acceptance and the protesting and giving notice of the dishonor of bills of exchange, drafts, bank checks, promissory notes, or other negotiable instruments and also for the holding of courts, be treated and considered as is the first day of the week commonly called Sunday. SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-11-113 as follows: 24-11-113. Patriot Day. (1) The eleventh day of September in each year, the same being the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001, shall be known as "Patriot Day" and appropriate observance may be held by the public and in all public schools of the state in honor of those who innocently lost their lives and those who bravely sacrificed their lives to help others and in recognition of the day's importance in the history of the United States. (2) A Patriot day occurring on the following dates is a legal holiday as described in section 24-11-101: (a) September 11, 2021, and September 11 every ten years thereafter; and (b) September 11, 2026, and September 11 every twenty-five years thereafter. SECTION 4. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 7, 2012, if adjournment sine die is on May 9, 2012); except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2012 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.