Date: 02/04/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-068

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to amend Senate Bill 09-068, page 2, line 6,
Refer Senate Bill 09-068 to the Committee on Appro		FAIL
PASS



03:12 PM -- Senate Bill 09-068

Senator Morse, bill sponsor, provided an overview of the bill. He stated that the purpose is to increase funding for domestic violence. He discussed the importance of increasing services for domestic violence. Senator Morse noted that there is opposition to the bill. He stated that this opposition concerns those who oppose any fee increase and those who oppose increased funding for domestic violence.

03:17 PM -- Chris Radeff, representing the Colorado Bar Association, spoke in opposition to the bill. She indicated that her organization supports increasing domestic violence funding, however, they are in opposition to the increase in the divorce filing and response petition fees.

03:22 PM -- Philip Umling, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill. He related his opposition concerning increased funding for domestic violence programs.

03:24 PM -- Cliff Smedley, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill. He noted that the bill is targeted toward women who are abused and he stated that it is not always women, but men also are abused. Senator Renfroe asked about where the funds are going and whether those programs provide men with the opportunity to seek help.

03:29 PM -- Charles Corey, representing the Equal Justice Foundation, spoke in opposition to the bill. He indicated that he does not believe that the domestic violence laws in Colorado are working. He stated that he believes that as funding increases, the people receiving the money find more cases in order to make sure that they use the money. He also believes that funding domestic violence is destroying the institution of marriage.

03:38 PM -- Sheryl Hutter, representing herself, spoke in opposition to the bill. She discussed false allegations concerning domestic violence. She is also opposed to the increase in fees.

03:43 PM -- Robert Alvarez, representing the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program, spoke in opposition to the bill. He stated that he does not believe that domestic violence programs help the soldiers coming back from the war. He believes that many of them have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which causes them to be falsely accused of domestic violence. He noted that families with domestic violence problems should be in family counseling to fix the problem.

03:46 PM -- Debbie Osborne, representing Fighting Abuse in the Home, spoke in support of the bill. She believes that the increased resources for this bill will help to combat domestic violence.

03:48 PM -- Elaine Luster, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill. She related her personal experiences with domestic violence.

03:55 PM -- Carol Kresge, representing herself, spoke in support of the bill. She related her personal experiences with domestic violence.

04:04 PM

The committee recessed.


06:58 PM

The committee came back to order.

06:58 PM -- Amy Miller, representing the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, spoke in support of the bill. She addressed the concern that access to services would be limited because the bill specifies that the funding be used for individuals who are victims of domestic violence and who are married, separated, or divorced. She also discussed the fee waiver for district court filing fees. Ms. Miller stated that she believes that the criminal justice system works well. She also noted that the programs around the state do serve male victims. Ms. Miller provided the committee with information concerning staff size and salaries. She also explained the accountability for nonprofit organizations and domestic violence organizations in particular.


07:06 PM

Senator Renfroe discussed the increase in the marriage fee and whether or not that would deter people from getting married. He also asked about domestic violence statistics for the married population versus the unmarried population. Ms. Miller indicated that much of the domestic violence occurs after separation or divorce, but may have begun during the marriage. She also stated that the majority of the people served by domestic violence funding in Colorado are married. Senator Renfroe asked about further clarification concerning when domestic violence occurs. Senator Renfroe also asked about accountability for the funds. Ms. Miller discussed the accountability systems that domestic violence programs have in place. Senator Newell asked about domestic violence statistics by county. She also asked about increased domestic violence during an economic downturn.


07:23 PM

Senator Morse concluded his presentation of the bill.
BILL:SB09-068
TIME: 07:26:22 PM
MOVED:King K.
MOTION:Moved to amend Senate Bill 09-068, page 2, line 6, strike "and other types of abuse and coercive"; line 7, strike "control". The motion failed on a 3-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Hudak
No
King K.
Yes
Lundberg
Yes
Newell
No
Renfroe
Yes
Carroll M.
No
Morse
No
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:SB09-068
TIME: 07:28:47 PM
MOVED:Morse
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 09-068 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 4-3 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Hudak
Yes
King K.
No
Lundberg
No
Newell
Yes
Renfroe
No
Carroll M.
Yes
Morse
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



07:30 PM

The committee adjourned.