Skip to main content
First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HJR25-1023

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Date Apr 7, 2025       Location HCR 0112

HJR25-1023 -


03:17:17 PM  
The committee took a brief recess. When the committee returned to order, the committee was informed about simultaneous translation services. Representatives Camacho and Garcia, co-prime sponsors, presented House Joint Resolution 25-1023. The resolution authorizes and directs the Committee on Legal Services to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Colorado General Assembly in state district court to determine the constitutionality of the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR).
03:33:53 PM  
The sponsors responded to committee questions.
03:51:37 PM  
Discussion continued.
03:52:51 PM  
Kathy White, representing the Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in support of the bill. Kevin Vick, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill. Carol Hedges, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Congressman David Skaggs, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Michael Feeley, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Kiyana Newell, representing New Era Colorado, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
04:09:51 PM  
The committee continued to discuss various issues with the panel of witnesses.
04:30:16 PM  
George Marlin, representing CCAT, testified in support of the bill. Joshua Mantell, representing The Bell Policy Center, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Claudia Montes Chavez, representing the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Natalia Alvarez, representing the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Commissioner Hannah Gay Keao, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Michael Neil, representing the Colorado Cross-disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Mrs. Melanie Kesner, representing Young Invincibles, testified in support of the bill. The panelists answered several committee questions.
04:56:13 PM  
Committee discussion ensued with the witnesses.
05:08:33 PM  
Brandon Wark, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Jessica Fenske, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Michael Vance, representing the Libertarian Party of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Richard Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Jerry Sooby, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Kaarl Hoopes, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Lynda Zamora Wilson, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. The panel of witnesses responded to committee questions.
05:28:30 PM  
Mr. Valdamar Archuleta, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Missy Espinoza, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Natalie Menten, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Jody Nickerson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Michael DiManna, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Emily Adams, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Frank Lehnerz, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Callie Scritchfield, representing Rio Blanco County, testified in opposition to the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.
05:59:47 PM  
Ms. Edie Sonn, representing the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ken DeLay, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Joseph Salazar, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Deep Badhesha, representing Denver Public Schools, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Brad Young, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
06:29:45 PM  
Ms. Jeany Rush, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Clyde Awtrey, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Mary Janssen, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. David Evans, representing the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. William King, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.
06:43:28 PM  
Alison Friedman Phillips, representing The Women's Foundation of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Emmett Blaney, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Andy Kerr, representing CCAT, testified in support of the bill. Lisa Weil, representing Great Education Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ealasha Vaughner, representing Clayton Early Learning, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jessica Campbell, representing CCAT, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to committee questions.
07:08:21 PM  
Rebecca Sopkin, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mrs. Kelly Schweigart, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Mark Chilson, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Dan Brent, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.
07:22:21 PM  
Dr. David Keller, representing the American Association of Pediatrics Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Maggie Gomez, representing State Innovation Exchange Action, testified in support of the bill. Commissioner Claire Levy, representing Boulder County, testified in support of the bill. Josh Kuhn, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Matt Scherr, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Carmela Enriquez, representing the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, testified in support of the bill.
07:37:19 PM  
Mrs. Hope Scheppelman, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Donna LaBelle, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Chris Davis, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Mark Custer, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Amy Bales, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.
07:49:46 PM  
Shan Lagard, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in support of the bill. Ella Epstein, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Hannah Recht, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
07:59:39 PM  

Ms. Chaer Robert, representing the All Families Deserve a Chance (AFDC) Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Kathleen Gruschow, representing the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill. Anya Rose, representing Hunger Free Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Bethany Pray, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Joel McClurg, representing The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, testified in support of the bill.
08:12:16 PM  
Mx. Matt Pagnotti, representing Vivent Health, testified in support of the bill.

Written testimony about the bill is included as Attachment K.
08:14:58 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.  Representative Marshall provided the committee with amendments L.001 (Attachment L) and L.002 (Attachment M).

08:31:09 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment M).
Moved Weinberg
Seconded Brooks
Brooks Yes
Camacho No
DeGraaf Yes
Garcia No
Gonzalez R. Yes
Joseph No
Marshall Yes
Stewart R. No
Suckla Yes
Weinberg Yes
Zokaie No
Titone No
Lindstedt No
YES: 6   NO: 7   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL

08:39:35 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment L).
Moved Marshall
Seconded Weinberg
Brooks Yes
Camacho No
DeGraaf Yes
Garcia No
Gonzalez R. Yes
Joseph Yes
Marshall Yes
Stewart R. No
Suckla Yes
Weinberg Yes
Zokaie No
Titone No
Lindstedt No
YES: 7   NO: 6   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
08:39:36 PM  
The bill sponsors wrapped up their presentation of the resolution and asked for a favorable recommendation. Members of the committee spoke about their positions on the bill.

08:59:10 PM
 Motion Refer House Joint Resolution 25-1023, as amended, to the full House with a favorable recommendation.
Moved Camacho
Seconded Garcia
Brooks No
Camacho Yes
DeGraaf No
Garcia Yes
Gonzalez R. No
Joseph Yes
Marshall No
Stewart R. Yes
Suckla No
Weinberg No
Zokaie Yes
Titone Yes
Lindstedt Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 6   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS