This Week...Legislation Beneficial for Our Small Rural Communities

You've had the bad news. We unfortunately have to give it to you quite often.

In this week's report from Colorado State Representative and Caucus Whip Carlos Barron, three bills are set for action this week.

House Bill 26-1290, Criminal Offense of Assault will be heard in the Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, March 24th. It's a bill that would expand who counts as an emergency medica care provider. It would lower the mental state of assaulting certain public servants from "intentional" to "knowing," and it would mandate repeat second-degree strangulation assaults to be charged as crimes of violence. Protecting front line health care workers, first responders, and public servants, the legislation would help them do their jobs safely but also hold repeat and violent offenders accountable. Representative Anthony Hartsook is the prime sponsor on the bill.

Next, lawmakers are set to discuss a bill that would protect retail businesses in Colorado. House Bill 26-1138, Retail Theft Prevention Program would create a program, task force, advisory board and grant program to help police investigate and prosecute organized felony-level retail theft and gift card theft. It would involve state and local jurisdictions to share information and train on organized crime and gift card theft. Representative Dan Woog is the bill's prime sponsor.

And maybe you have heard that it's difficult to attract law enforcement officers to come work and live in our Southeast Colorado communities due to lack of available housing. Senate Bill 26-053, sponsored by Representative Ryan Gonzalez would expand CHFA mortgage eligibility to families of Colorado law enforcement and first responders. The bill would make it easier for public safety families to own homes in the communities they serve.

The bill will be heard in the Transportation Committee on Tuesday, March 24th.

(sources: The 22 Tribune Newsletter, https://leg.colorado.gov/)

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