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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Legislative Review Committee - 01/31/2002 -LEGISLATIVE REVIEW COMMITTEE Meeting Summary January 31,2002 Legislative Review Committee Present:Ray Martinez,Marty Tharp,Eric Hamrick Staff:John Fischbach,Diane Jones,Ron Phillips,Tom Vosburg,Carrie Daggett,Rick DeLaCastro,Darin Atteberry,Mark Radtke The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. MEETING SUMMARY The meeting summary for the January 17,2002,Legislative Review Committee meeting was approved as written. PENDING LEGISLATION ITEMS FOR POLICY DISCUSSION SB 74 adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the protected classes in terms of hiring,employment practices,training and instructional programs.Human Resources Director Rick DeLaCastro said the City currently includes sexual orientation in its list of prohibited discriminations in hiring.He expressed concern about the vague definition of gender identity in the bill.He believes the current wording of the bill is too broad,and allows for self-definition of what a gender identity issue would be.He also expressed concern that by including “compensation”,an argument could be made for partner benefits.The City currently follows State rules on qualifications for benefits. Committee members supported the sexual orientation portion of the bill,as it mirrors City policy.Staff was asked to seek additional information on the bill’s meaning. SB 6 reverses the current burden of proof in worker’s compensation actions concerning emergency responders and Hepatitis C.Following a baseline examination for the disease, it would be assumed thereafter that an employee contracted Hepatitis C on the job.Mark Radtke reported the bill has passed committee and will likely pass the Senate.He said committee testimony revealed that the long lead time in testing positive for Hepatitis C made it extremely difficult to determine where the disease was contracted.John Fischbach suggested the City should protect its emergency responders in the best way possible.Committee members agreed by consensus to switch our position to one of support for the bill. SB 9 expands the list of protected classes listed in the current hate crimes bill.Radtke explained the law currently protects groups or individuals on the basis of race,color, ancestry,religion or national origin.This bill would add physical or mental disability, age,sexual orientation and gender identity.Another element of the bill transfers finds from the State’s capital find to handle added case load created by this bill. 0 Committee members Ray Martinez and Marty Tharp expressed concern about tapping the State’s capital find,when those monies are needed for Higher Education and Transportation.Committee members had no objection to the additional elements being included in the hate crimes bill.No position was taken at this time.Staff was asked to determine the Colorado Municipal League position on the bill. RB 1192 is designed to provide grounds for dismissing Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP)as frivolous and awarding attorney’s fees to defendants.Carrie Daggett explained a SLAPP suit is filed by one citizens interest group against another in an effort at intimidation during a public policy debate.She was unaware of any such suit occurring in Fort Collins.While the bill does not directly effect the City,it does offer protections for citizens who appear before Council to speak out on public issues Committee members agreed by consensus to support this bill. PENDING LEGISLATION ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Tom Vosburg explained that RB 1128 would prohibit the City from decreasing the size and number of mobile home park spaces.The bill removes this zoning decision from local governments.The City is opposing the bill which is in front of House Local Government. Radtke reported RB 1202 requires power generators that serve a customer base above 500,000 to eventually generate 12%of their power supply from non-fossil fuel based sources.Daggett noted the one area that directly effects the City would require the collection of a kilowatt hour surcharge to find conservation programs. Radtke reported RB 1058,the public works planning bill,was killed in committee last week. REDISTRICTING The Committee was provided congressional district maps drawn by the Second Judicial District Court on January 25,2002.Radtke informed the Committee that barring an appeal these maps are the final configuration of Colorado’s congressional districts for the coming decade The February 14,2002,meeting of LRC was canceled so members can attend the Colorado Municipal League’s Legislative Workshop.The next meeting of the LRC will be held at 8:00 a.m.,February 28,2002 in the City Manager’s Conference Room. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.