DENVER – Legislation to increase penalties for tampering with oil and gas equipment is on its way to the state House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 35, which makes tampering, destroying, breaking or removing equipment associated with oil and gas operations, passed 19-16 on Tuesday with Sen. Cheri Jahn, D-Wheat Ridge, join Republicans in support.
The bill drew substantial debate because of its broad wording and application, but an amendment approved Monday erased a section criticized by Democrats in the Senate.
But the amendment didn’t erase opposition and Senate Democrats came forward Tuesday to express their dissatisfaction with the creation of special legal protections for the oil and gas industry.
“We should be protecting the people, not the oil and gas corporations,” said Sen. Matt Jones, D-Louisville.
The bill will now move to the Democrat-held House.
In addition to the tampering measure, nine bill were scheduled for third reading, 22 for second reading and 23 were on the calendar for committee hearings.
Included in second reading were:
HB 1145, which would change current law to allow amateur vintners to enter into wine-tasting competitions as long was their products were tasted only by judges, was approved by the full House.
HB 1179, which expands good Samaritan laws to offer protection for individuals who forcibly enter vehicles to provide emergency assistance for people or animals, was approved by the House on second reading.The protection provided would be contingent upon following a set of steps that include ensuring there is a need for emergency intervention and contacting emergency services.
Bills heard in committees included Senate Bill 27, which would increase the penalty for texting while driving to a Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense, which carries a $300 fine and 5 point drivers license deduction.SB 27 was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee, and it passed on a 6-1 bipartisan vote. The bill will be sent to the full Senate for a second reading and debate.
lperkins@durangoherald.com
