DENVER – Bills governing electronic communication devices took center stage during state Senate floor debate.
House Bill 1014, the ballot selfie bill, received a final discussion with some questioning what message it sent about respecting the institution of voting.
“We have so many forefathers who lost everything trying to give us the right to vote; we have military who lost their lives protecting our right to vote,” said Sen. Vicki Marble, R-Fort Collins.
Despite Marble’s misgivings and her vote against the measure it passed third reading 31-4.
Also debated was Senate Bill 27, which would increase the penalty for texting while driving. The measure also limits the application of the penalty.
“I was really concerned about this bill going into committee,” said Sen. Owen Hill, R-Colorado Springs. “Right now in Colorado texting is a per-se crime when you are in a car. What that means is when you are stopped at a stop light it’s a crime under current law,”
SB 27 would increase the penalty for texting to a $300 fine. Currently, the penalty is $50 to $100. In addition drivers who are cited would be hit with a 5-point penalty on his or her license. Also, drivers could be cited for texting only if the texting led to an incident of careless driving.
Before the final vote Sen. Don Coram, R-Montrose, asked bill sponsor Sen. Lois Court, D-Denver.
“Can I text my vote in?” Coram asked.
“Only if you use a selfie,” Court responded.
SB 27 was adopted upon second reading. It will receive a final reading in the coming days before being sent to the House.
In other action, nine other bills were scheduled for third readings, 18 for second readings and 13 had hearings before committees
Included in the bills heard by Committee was SB 8, which would remove gravity knives and switchblade from the list of illegal weapons.
The bill would not change current law concerning the length of knives that can be legally carried, but it removes these weapons from those considered illegal.
SB 8 passed 10-1 in the House Judiciary Committee and was sent to the full House.
lperkins@durangoherald.com
