Bills for the 2012 Legislative Session
Since the new session began on January 11, I wanted to let you know about bills I am introducing this year and get your input and feedback if you would like to share your thoughts. Here are the ones I am working on:
1) HB 1067: Campaign Contributions - This bill was intended to establish campaign contribution limits for school board and RTD board races. The past few years we have seen an astonishing amount of money in these elections, but the bill would have limited that by making a maximum donation limit of $5,000. This was suggested by our own Frank Sullivan - I ran this bill two years ago but it did not pass. Unfortunately, it was again voted down in committee on Jan. 26. My hope is to keep it up and see if I can introduce it again next session.
2) HB 1156: Foreclosure Procedures - This bill will establish more requirements for a lender seeking to foreclose somebody's home. It will require a lender to produce documents proving they are entitled to foreclose on a house - requiring more proof than is currently required. Click here (CBS Denver) for more information from a recent press conference I was a part of.
3) Juvenile Direct File - This bill will remove some discretion from D.A.s when filing criminal cases against juveniles and require a transfer hearing in some cases.
4) Permanent Maintenance - A bill to establish a formula for determining the amount of permanent maintenance (alimony) that should be ordered in domestic relations cases. Currently, there is a formula for temporary maintenance, but not permanent. As a result, the amount of permanent maintenance ordered by the courts differs wildly in various cases depending on the jurisdiction and court to which the case is assigned. This is very unfair to the parties getting divorced and makes it very difficult for them to anticipate their financial futures and discourages settlement cases.
5) HB 1151: Human Trafficking - A bill that will strengthen the current statute by including such things as asset forfeiture and funding for victims.
Please do not hesitate to contact me as the session goes on if you have any concerns or comments on legislative matters.
Beth McCann
Colorado State Representative
House District 8
beth@bethmccann.org
(303) 866-2959
