HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 3/30/2021 - Memorandum From Tyler Marr And Honore Depew Re: Week Of March 22, 2021 Legislative Update
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
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MEMORANDUM
Date: March 24, 2021
To: Mayor Troxell and City Councilmembers
Through: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Kelly DiMartino, Deputy City Manager
From: Tyler Marr, Interim Director, Information & Employee Services
Honoré Depew, Interim Policy and Project Manager
Re: Week of March 22, 2021 Legislative Update
The purpose of this memo is to provide an informational update on the 2021 Colorado
legislative session, including mention of several bills of note.
Background
The Colorado General Assembly has been working through the 2021 general session for over a
month, and bills of note are coming forward more quickly. The Legislative Review Committee
met on March 3rd and will meet again in April to give any needed direction to staff on tracked
bills. continuously updated bill tracker with positions can be
found at fcgov.com/citymanager/legislative
The Colorado Municipal League (CML)
capitol, and they are hosting bi-weekly Municipal Caucus updates. Staff relies on CML for the
majority of
Legislative Policy Agenda. Council has been and will continue to be notified of opportunities to
testify on city positions.
The following are bills the City is watching closely:
HB 21-1025 Non-substantive Emails and Open Meetings Law Support: this is
City and CML initiated legislation clarifying that non-substantive emails do not
constitute open meetings. This passed 3rd reading of the Senate on 3/24 and now
heads to the Governor for signature.
HB 21-1110 - Colorado Laws For Persons With Disabilities Oppose: this
bill changes accessibility requirements beyond the Americans with Disabilities Act for
web pages, essentially stating the City needs to be in compliance with latest design
guidelines at all times, without a period to come into that compliance. Staff is working
with CML to outline costs and burden of such an approach and CML is requesting an
amendment that would phase in requirements.
HB 21-1162 Management of Plastic Products Support: this is the
comprehensive plastics bill that was expected this session. It includes a state-
wide plastic retail bag ban, in addition to a repeal of local preemption.
SB 21-176 - Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights Act Oppose: this bill
presents numerous challenges, as it significantly expands the definition of
employee and allows for employees to go directly to court rather than use existing
administrative procedures. The state is exempted under the bill, presenting a
misleading view of the costs. Numerous organizations are opposed, and staff is
working closely with CML on an advocacy strategy.