Every legislative session comes with its fair share of bills that inspire debate, but this year is shaping up to be a little different. As bills are entering into their 2nd Reading (discussion on the floor), the number of amendments - and the time spent to discuss them - has significantly increased compared to previous sessions. And most are not truly controversial bills. Take for example my Farm Equipment Right to Repair bill which had eight proposed amendments (only one came from me) and was debated on for well over an hour before it passed. Compare it to my wheelchair right to repair bill from last year which had only one amendment - to add a single word to the bill - and took 25 minutes to discuss. 

Other bills haven’t been so lucky. Some have taken up more time and space. For example, HB23-1165, a well-meaning bill to give counties the limited ability to restrict firearm use in unincorporated areas with specific residential concentrations, had to be heard on two consecutive days. A bill to restrict athlete participation to their gender at birth took two hours of committee time before it was rightfully killed. And Friday featured three misguided anti-abortion bills taking seven hours in committee before also meeting their end. 

I’m hopeful that as the session continues we’ll see a return to a more normal pace. We need the bills that solve real, urgent problems in our state to move forward. For now, I’ll keep working towards that goal and keep you all updated on our progress each week!

Tribute to the Club Q Victims

Black History Month

BILL SPOTLIGHT:
Patients' Right to Know Act

Awaiting introduction in the House

An upcoming bill that I'm excited to introduce will provide Coloradans with the knowledge and information they need in obtaining healthcare. When it comes to health care, patient health should always be the priority. Unfortunately, the federal government and some state governments have adopted dangerous laws that instead prioritize the beliefs of hospital CEOs and executives by allowing these facilities to refuse care to those who need it. These denial of care laws allow hospitals and health care institutions to refuse to provide care, or comply with advanced directives, for non-medical reasons. 

The Act would address denials of care by requiring hospitals and health care institutions to disclose what services they do and do not provide to both the Department of Public Health and Environment and patients as part of the informed consent process. Patients across Colorado would be empowered to better make decisions about where to seek health care because they would have access to information about hospitals that deny care and a list of the services they refuse to provide. No one should spend time and money seeking health care only to be unexpectedly turned away by hospitals that prioritize the beliefs of hospital CEOs and executives over the health and safety of their patients. This legislation would allow patients to seek care without being shamed, judged, or denied based on the services they seek or who they are. 

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ICYMI

• Denver7: Colorado lawmakers debate bill that would create 'right to repair' for farm equipment
• Denver 7: Bill aiming to hold HOAs, metro districts accountable has first committee hearing
• Washington Post: 11 States Consider 'Right to Repair' for Farming Equipment
• 9News: Farmers and state lawmakers seek 'right to repair' their own equipment to save money
• Colorado Politics: Colorado advances bill on right to repair agricultural equipment
• Fox31: Right-to-repair bill for agricultural equipment set for debate soon
• Boston Globe: Trans and nonbinary lawmakers made history in 2022. They’re already having to defend their very existence.

• NPR: Newly released footage of a 1986 Titanic dive reveals the ship's haunting interior
• CNN: Cities appealing 2020 census count garner only small wins
• Reuters: U.S. to select 10 costliest drugs for Medicare pricing negotiation

• CPR: Popping the hood on electrical vehicles, these high school students will be the next generation of auto mechanics and car designers
• Arvada Press: Jeffco teacher’s union bargains for higher pay and more planning time
• Colorado Sun: Colorado Democrats in Congress urge Catholic hospital in Durango to reverse policy banning tubal ligations
• Denver Post: Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA talks about his first-ever ballet with the Colorado Symphony

• Owl Escapes NYC Zoo But After Survival Instincts Kick-in Officials Give it Some Freedom in Central Park