June Roundup - Accomplishments & Highlights

The 2019 Legislature Adjourns - Promises Made, Promises Kept
 With the legislature adjourned for the remainder of 2019 and with all the bills that passed either signed or vetoed by the Governor, here is the update on where the dust has settled! We saw a number of Eagle County and Routt County's big-ticket priorities make their way to the Governor's desk this year: lowering the cost of health care and prescription drugs; improving road safety; and expanding funding for affordable housing, to name a few. See below for updates on some of my biggest bills, info about upcoming town hall meetings, and other news updates from the Capitol.

 

Dylan's Bills

To see all of Rep. Roberts’ 2019 Bills: CLICK HERE 
Bills on which Rep. Roberts is a Co-Sponsor: CLICK HERE

Here are some highlights:
 
HB1004: Proposal for a Public Health Insurance Option 
This bill will set in place the process of instituting a state-backed public health insurance option in Colorado so that people and families purchasing health insurance on the individual market will have choice, competition, and lower prices.
Bi-partisan sponsorship: Reps. Marc Catlin (R), Rep. Dylan Roberts (D) and Sen. Kerry Donovan (D). 

Status: SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
Related article: Governor Polis signs landmark health care legislation in Vail via Vail Daily 

SB004: Health Insurance Co-Op Authorization
This bill authorizes health care cooperatives in Colorado to incorporate consumer protections such as offering coverage for preexisting conditions and encourages consumers to join together as co-ops to negotiate directly with private providers for lower health insurance rates. 
Sponsorship: Sen. Donovan and Rep. Roberts, McCluskie

Status: SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR

HB1077: Pharmacist Dispense Drug Without Prescription In Emergency
This bill is named “Kevin’s Law” in honor of Kevin Houdeshell, a young man who had Type 1 Diabetes and died because he could not get access to insulin. Five years ago, his prescription had run out and he could not get it renewed over the holidays. If Kevin’s Law is adopted in Colorado, pharmacists would be able to dispense life-saving medication in cases of emergency without a prescription. 
Bi-partisan sponsorship: Rep. Roberts, Sens. Tate and Pettersen. 

Status: SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR. 
Related video: Rep. Roberts urges passage of Kevin's Law. 

HB1207: Winter Conditions And Traction Control Requirements

The bill sets minimum standards for tires or requires traction equipment to be worn on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison between September 1 and May 31.
Bi-partisan Sponsorship: Rep. Roberts and Sens. Donovan and Rankin.
Related article: Beefed up traction law signed via Denver Post

Status: SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

HB1216: Reduce Insulin Prices 
Insulin, which people with diabetes require every single day to survive has increased in price by over 700% (accounting for inflation) in the last 20 years for no justifiable reason. My bill will lower insulin prices immediately by capping copays for insulin at $100 per month, and it directs the Colorado Attorney General to investigate insulin pricing in Colorado and make further recommendations to the legislature. 
Bi-partisan sponsorship: Rep. Roberts and Sens. Donovan (D) and Priola (R). 

Status: SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR. 
Related video: Colorado Becomes First State to Cap Insulin Prices at $100.

HB1322: Expand Supply Affordable Housing
This bill transfers monies from the reserves of the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund to the Division of Housing to be deposited into the Housing Development Grant Fund that can be accessed by public-private partnerships across the state, particularly in rural and mountain regions of Colorado, that are developing affordable housing.
Bi-partisan Sponsorship: Reps. Roberts Will, Sens. Moreno and Coram.

Status: SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR

SB107: Broadband Infrastructure Installation
This bill will increase the ability to deploy broadband into rural Colorado by utilizing existing electrical infrastructure. This legislation is a huge step forward in increasing rural broadband access.
Sponsorship: Sen. Donovan, Rep. Roberts.

Status: SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR
Related article: Colorado Governor signs nine bills into law in Salida via Ark Valley Voice

SB175: Serious Bodily Injury Vulnerable Road User Penalties
The bill makes it a Class 1 traffic misdemeanor (12 points) when a driver is found guilty of careless driving resulting in serious bodily injury to another road user. The violator will be required to attend a driver improvement course and perform public service.
Sponsorship: Sen. Foote, Rep. Roberts.

Status: SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR

Lowering the Cost of Health Care: Coloradans will now pay less for the care they need, whether it is monthly coverage or access to life-saving prescription drugs. Real successes were seen with insulin price caps, ending surprise out-of-network bills, hospital pricing transparency, and a reinsurance program. Check out a review of all health care-related legislation in the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative's Legislative Scorecard by clicking here. 

Addressing Climate Change: Improving our air quality and taking action on climate change won’t just help preserve our beautiful lands, ecosystems, and water -- it will power our economy. Our plans to completely transition to clean energy will save you money, create new green jobs, and protect our way of life. We passed several pieces of legislation to stem the tide of climate change and make Colorado a leader in both environmental protection and the new green economy. Related article: Climate bills make it across finish line as legislative session ends via Vail Daily.

Free Full Day K: Starting this fall, every child will have access to early education, with universal full-day pre-K and an additional 5,100 free preschool slots. Related article: Polis signs full-day kindergarten bill into law via Chalkbeat Colorado

Colorado is the first state to cap skyrocketing insulin co-pays via CNN

Now that the session has ended, I am lucky to return home to Avon (and all of House District 26) full-time and I am back to work at my other job as a Deputy DA for Eagle County. However, the legislative work does not end. I will be working hard all summer and fall on committee work, constituent services, attending events, and preparing for next session. 

Interim Committee Work:
There are two committees on which I serve that will be meeting all summer and fall. First, I am the Chair of the Capital Development Committee. This is the committee that has jurisdiction over all state property, including universities, prisons, state parks, historical landmarks, and more. We have already started our travel across the state to visit recently-funded projects and sites that are requesting funds. Our first trip took place in mid-June when we visited the Western Slope. Click here for highlights from that trip. 

Second, I am the Vice-Chair of the Water Resources Review Committee which studies and manages water issues across the state. We already have full agendas for our committee meetings in August, September, and October where we will be studying issues related to conservation, water plan funding, agriculture, and more. In a state where water is our most precious natural resource, it is an honor to be on this committee. 

Preparing for Next Session
I have already met with several constituents at my post-session town hall meetings and individually who have approached me with ideas for next session. Have an idea yourself? I am always open to ideas and welcome you to contact me anytime to discuss.

Please always feel free to contact me via e-mail, phone, or text: 
E-mail: Dylan.Roberts.House@state.co.us
Office: 303-866-2923
Cell: 970-846-3054

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