Cba's 2022 Legislative Session in Review
| Publication year | 2022 |
| Pages | 46 |
August, 2022 LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
BY TYLER MOUNSEY
77 ms article provides an overview of the CBA's legislative efforts during the Colorado General Assembly's 2022 session.
On May 11, with just minutes left in its constitutionally mandated 120-day session, the 73rd Colorado General Assembly adjourned. Up to the last minute, the session teemed with vigorous conversations on hotly contested topics. There seems to never be enough time to resolve the legislative branch's myriad goals, but despite time constraints, the Colorado Bar Association succeeded in its ongoing work at the Capitol to support the justice system and Coloradans. The pandemic continued to impact the session's operations and scope, but repeated COVID-19 exposures reinforced a significant increase in remote participation. According to Legislative Council staff, nearly 60% of all 2022 public testimony was delivered remotely.' While this reduced in-person interactions, it helped preserve the health of participants.
The 2022 Legislative Session Highlights
During the 2022 legislative session, 717 bills were introduced with 428 completed. The big-ticket topics that passed included HB 22-1326, SB 22-230, and HB 22-1355.
HB 22-1326: Fentanyl Accountability and Prevention
A priority public safety bill for both Republicans and Democrats, HB 22-1326 was one of the last bills to be completed after three months of deliberation. The final version of the bill, settled by conference committee, makes the possession of one to four grams of a substance that contains any amount of fentanyl a felony. Additionally, the bill includes appropriations to authorities to combat the fentanyl crisis and provide education on the drug's dangers.
SB 22-230: Collective Bargaining for Counties
This legislation was discussed for a long time before being introduced. Its final form allows the public employees of counties with populations of more than 7,500 to collectively bargain, but not strike. This measure excludes from the definition of "county" (among other entities) a city and a county, so Denver and Broomfield
During the 2022 legislative session, 717 bills were introduced with 428 completed.
are not affected. The bill also maintains county rights and responsibilities, including those under a home rule county charter.
HB 22-1355: Producer Responsibility Program for Recycling
Under HB 22-1355, manufacturers of packaged goods will be charged a fee to go toward creating a statewide recycling program. The bill creates an advisory board consisting of members with expertise in recycling programs and knowledge a...
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