2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAP-UP

Working for You

As your state representative, I am committed to being accessible and accountable to you. I ran 18 bills this past Legislative Session and 15 of those bills passed the state legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support. Many of the bills originated with issues raised by local residents like you.

Here is a partial list of my bills.

Fight Human Trafficking and Protect Victims of Crime

“Truckers Against Trafficking” bill modifies commercial drivers license training to include information on reporting human trafficking crimes. Colorado truckers and law enforcement advocated for this bill. Since many victims are trafficked at or pass through truck stops, educating truck drivers on what to look for helps police find and rescue these victims. Signed into law.

“Revenge pornography” is the posting or distribution of sexual photos without the pictured person’s permission. My bill closed loopholes in Colorado law to better protect victims from this serious crime. Signed into law.

A bill to make it a crime to retaliate against or intimidate a witness in civil cases. Our legal system can only work if witnesses are protected when they do their civic duty, report wrongdoing, and testify in court. Signed into law.

Reducing Barriers to Jobs

Local military spouses brought to my attention that teachers with out-of-state licenses could only waive into Colorado if they taught 3 continuous years at a prior location. However, many military couples move every two years, so they could not meet this requirement. My bill eliminated this continuous-year requirement. Signed into law.

I ran a bill for a comprehensive review of all state occupational licensing requirements. This review would remove bottlenecks and unnecessary requirements, and focus on core education, job training, and public health and safety concerns. Excessive licensing requirements limit job opportunities for Coloradans. Unfortunately, this bill was defeated in the House Committee.

Wildfire Hazard Mitigation

Bill to increase penalties for unattended campfires. County Commissioners from across the state raised this issue. Numerous wildfires in Colorado were started by campfires that irresponsible people walked away from, putting communities in danger and costing millions of dollars. Signed into law.

Protect Our Children

The child imprisonment bill makes it a felony to confine a child in specific egregious circumstances. This bill came from a local case of horrific child abuse—keeping a child in a locked bare room for weeks and only letting the child out briefly to eat or use the restroom. Signed into law.

The Youth Crisis and Suicide Prevention bill supports local school districts’ youth suicide prevention programs. Youth suicide is increasing in Colorado, and this will help schools and parents intervene to reduce these tragic deaths. Signed into law.

Senior Property Tax Exemption – Relocation Due to Medical Necessity

Our County Assessor, Steve Schleiker, has been a strong advocate of extending the senior property tax exemption if a senior citizen has to move due to medical necessity (must move to a lower altitude, mobility impaired in multi-level house, etc.). I ran a bill to make this change. it was voted down in the House committee.

Veterans

The Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center created a very successful pilot program for transitioning veterans into jobs, enhancing our local skilled labor force. My bill takes the Mt. Carmel veterans program and continues this approach state-wide. Signed into law.

Ensure veterans organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) have the same state sales exemption as other charitable organizations. Signed into law.

Opposition to Toll Roads

I supported an amendment to the transportation funding bill to stop CDOT from imposing toll roads on communities in highway construction projects. Unfortunately, this anti-toll road language was taken out of the transportation bill in the House on a party-line vote. I will continue the fight against these unfair toll road mandates by CDOT!

I welcome your comments and questions. I am committed to being a voice for you.