2017 - ACU Ratingsacuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/07/... · This bill expands the list of reasons for which a tenant SB 39 School Choice. This bill allows

2017

Letter from the Chairman .......................................... 2

ACU & ACUF Board Members .................................. 3

Selecting the Votes .................................................... 3

2017 Winners & Losers .............................................. 4

CO Senate Statistics .................................................. 5

CO Senate Vote Descriptions .................................... 6

CO Senate Scores ..................................................... 9

CO House Statistics ................................................. 11

CO House Vote Descriptions................................... 12

CO House Scores .................................................... 16

TABLE OF CONTENTS

RATINGS of COLORADORATINGS of COLORADO

ACUConservative Conservative.org@ACUFoundation

#ACURatings

2

AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION FOUNDATION’S 2017 Ratings of Colorado

Dear Fellow Conservative,

The American Conservative Union Foundation is proud to present our ratings of the 2017 meeting of the Colorado General Assembly. Like our Congressional Ratings, which date back 46 years, these ratings are meant to reflect how elected officials view the role of government in an individual’s life. We begin with our philosophy (conservatism is the political philosophy that sovereignty resides in the person) and then apply our understanding of government (its essential role is to defend life, liberty and property).

Because our ratings are designed to educate the public about how consistently their elected officials adhere to conservatism, we carefully examine the entire docket of legislation introduced in each state every year. We select the most meaningful bills and publish the results after the dust has settled. The ACU Foundation is the only organization to score over 8,000 elected officials each year, including lawmakers from all 50 states and Congress.

The 2016 election dramatically impacted the political landscape of not only Washington but state legislative chambers all across the country. Republicans now have control of both legislative chambers in 32 states, more than double the number they controlled in 2010. With these victories comes an ability to implement policies that restore individual liberty and return us to a limited form of government run by and for “We the People.”

It is our hope that these ratings will serve as a guide showing who can be relied on to fight for conservative principles and restore the role of government to what our nation’s founding fathers envisioned.

Sincerely,

Matt SchlappChairmanAmerican Conservative Union

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

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SELECTING THE VOTES

ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Colorado General Assembly that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool”: 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Colorado’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property.

201 N. Union Street, Suite 370Alexandria, VA 22314(202) 347-9388

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Charlie Gerow First Vice Chairman

Bob Beauprez Treasuer

Amy Frederick Secretary

Ed Yevoli At-Large

Jackie Arends

Larry Beasley

Kimberly Bellissimo

Steve Biegun

Morton C. Blackwell

John Bolton

Jose Cardenas

Ron Christie

Muriel Coleman

Becky Norton Dunlop

John Eddy

Luis Fortuno

Alan M. Gottlieb

Van D. Hipp, Jr.

Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser

Michael R. Long

Ed McFadden

Carolyn D. Meadows

Priscilla O'Shaughnessy

Ron Robinson

Mike Rose

Ned Ryun

Peter Samuelson

Sabrina Schaeffer

Terry Schilling

Matt Smith

Thomas Winter

ACU BOARD MEMBERS

Matt Schlapp Chairman

Millie Hallow Vice Chairman

Van D. Hipp, Jr. Treasurer

Kimberly Bellissimo Secretary

Jose Cardenas

Jonathan Garthwaite

Charlie Gerow

Colin Hanna

Niger Innes

Adam Laxalt

Willes K. Lee

Mary Matalin

Carolyn D. Meadows

Randy Neugebauer

Thomas Winter

ACUF BOARD MEMBERS

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2017 WINNERS & LOSERS

SENATE

COOKEHOLBERTMARBLENEVILLE

90-100% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE EXCELLENCE

HOUSE

BECKMANBUCKEVERETTHUMPHREYLEONARD

HOUSE

LUNDEENNEVILLENORDBERGRANSOMSAINE

HOUSE

SIASVAN WINKLEWILLIAMSWIST

SENATE

BAUMGARDNERHILLLAMBERTLUNDBERGSCOTTSMALLWOODSONNENBERG

HOUSE

BECKER, J.

CARVER

LEWIS

HOUSE

LISTON

McKEAN

NAVARRO-RATZLAFF

80-89% AWARD FOR CONSERVATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

SENATE

n/a

10% COALITION OF THE RADICAL LEFT

HOUSE

Singer

<=

5


COLORADO SENATE STATISTICS

51%OVERALL AVERAGE

LOWEST REPUBLICANS

79%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

20%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

JAHN 32%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

COLORADO SENATE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

090-100%

2017 ACU PERCENTAGE

# OF STATE

SENATORS

0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%

CORAM,MARTINEZ, HUMENIK 54%

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1. SB 5 Firearms for School Employees. This bill allows school employees to carry a concealed handgun once requirements that include a valid permit and permission from the school board are met. ACU supports the founders' belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 6, 2017 by a vote of 18-17.

2. SB 55 Right to Work. This bill prohibits a requirement for union membership or the payment of union dues as a condition of employment. ACU supports the right to work and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 13, 2017 by a vote of 18-16.

3. SB 113 Capping Employer Pension Fund Contributions. This bill places a cap on state and local government contributions to the Public Employees Retirement Association. ACU supports this fiscal restraint on government and the protection it provides to taxpayers from potential bail outs and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 13, 2017 by a vote of 18-16.

4. SB 110 Day Care Licensing. This bill provides a licensing exemption to individuals who provide child sitting services to four or less children for a period of time under 24 hours. The bill establishes reasonable parameters for these services including that the care must be done in a residential setting. ACU opposes restrictive licensing that significantly suppresses entrepreneurship and raises the cost of childcare and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on February 14, 2017 by a vote of 34-0.

5. SB 6 Firearms for Military Personnel. This bill allows active duty or honorably discharged military personnel between the ages of 18 and 21 to carry a concealed handgun. ACU supports the founders' belief in the Second Amendment and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on February 17, 2017 by a vote of 20-15.

6. SB 153 Amtrak Subsidies. This bill extends and renames an Amtrak-affiliated regional rail commission that promotes the preservation of existing long-distance Amtrak routes and adds additional stops and routes along the Interstate 25 corridor. The use of taxpayer money to extend this commission and subsidize economically infeasible initiatives and the continued government intervention in the rail industry is a direct violation of the ACU Foundation’s “Seven Principles of Privatization.” ACU opposes rail subsidies and this interference in the market place and opposed this bill. The Senate voted to pass the bill on February 23, 2017 by a vote of 24-11.

7. SB 61 Funding Equity for Charter Schools. This bill requires school districts to distribute local property tax revenue equally between public and charter schools. Educational attainment is an important cultural value that yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports the expansion of charter schools and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 14, 2017 by a vote of 22-13.

8. SB 181 Tort Reform. This bill allows a jury in a civil suit to know about other sources of compensation the plaintiff may be receiving for the same injury, such as insurance coverage, which is prohibited under current law. ACU supports this common sense tort reform and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 16, 2017 by a vote of 20-15.

9. SB 62 Campus Freedom of Speech. This bill bans the establishment of so-called “free speech zones” on college campuses, which restrict free expression to only certain areas of campus and limit students’ verbal or written expression based on adverse reactions by observers. The bill also establishes reasonable parameters in which students can express themselves that are not based on speech content. ACU believes the constitutionally protected right of free speech should not be confined to a restricted area and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 22, 2017 by a vote of 35-0.

10. SB 200 Rewarding Top Performing Schools. This bill redirects one percent of all school funding to the six top rural and urban school districts in the state. Educational attainment is an important cultural value that yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports rewarding excellence in education and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 23, 2017 by a vote of 18-17.

11. SB 218 Landscape Architect Licensing. This bill extends the licensing requirements for landscape architects to 2028. Under this law, planning or consulting on a landscape project without a license is unlawful. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 29, 2017 by a vote of 22-12.

COLORADO SENATE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

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12. HB 1173 Insurance Mandate. This bill interferes in the contracting agreements between insurance companies and health care providers. Under the bill, an insurance carrier cannot take adverse actions against a provider if the provider voices their disagreement over a reimbursement decision. Some of the adverse actions that cannot be taken by the insurer include the termination of a contract with a provider, the filing of complaints with public entities, or communication with public officials on health care issues. ACU opposes this government interference in the free-market and disregard of private contracting rights and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on March 29, 2017 by a vote of 32-2.

13. HB 1115 Direct Primary Health Care Agreements. This bill exempts direct primary care agreements from the extensive set of regulations that govern traditional health insurance. These agreements permit doctors and patients to contract with one another for basic services at a set monthly fee. ACU supports a free market in health care and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 3, 2017 by a vote of 35-0.

14. SB 39 School Choice. This bill allows a tuition tax credit to be issued for students who attend a private school or home-based program if they transferred from a public school in the previous year. Educational attainment is an important cultural value that yields substantial economic returns for families and for states, which is illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports strengthening school choice and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 11, 2017 by a vote of 18-17.

15. HB 1188 “Hate” Crimes. This bill expands the definition of “hate” crimes to include enhanced penalties for harassment of an individual based on sexual orientation or mental disability. ACU believes this kind of legislation violates the “double jeopardy” clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and opposes attempts to determine people’s thoughts when they commit a crime and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 11, 2017 by a vote of 23-12.

16. SB 2 Regulatory Reform. This bill establishes new requirements for state agencies when they are reviewing their regulatory rules for their need and cost-effectiveness. Under the bill, all reviews must be completed by November 1, 2018, and the public must now be given no less than 14 days to provide input on each agency’s rules. ACU supports regulatory reform and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on April 12, 2017 by a vote of 18-17.

17. SB 243 Government Motorcycle Safety Program. This bill extends for three years a government-run motorcycle safety public relations campaign, which is paid for through surcharges on motorcycle license and registration fees. ACU opposes this program that raises the cost of motorcycle ownership and has been deemed ineffective and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 12, 2017 by a vote of 30-5.

18. SB 284 Abortion Regulation. This bill requires abortion providers to provide patients with certain information at least 24 hours prior to an abortion procedure. The information provided must detail the proposed procedure to be used, the characteristics of the fetus, alternatives to abortion and the opportunity to view an ultrasound. ACU believes abortion is a human tragedy, supports restrictions on the practice and educating patients and supported this bill. A procedural motion to reject the bill on April 13, 2017 passed by a vote of 19-16 (A “NO” vote supported the ACU position).

19. HB 1186 Insurance Mandate. This bill requires health insurance plans that cover contraceptives to provide a 3 month supply for the first prescription and a 12 month supply for each additional prescription. In addition, they must provide a vaginal contraceptive ring that will last three months. ACU opposes government mandates that interfere with the market to enrich contraceptive manufacturers and drive up the cost of health insurance for everyone, and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 17, 2017 by a vote of 22-11.

20. HB 1035 Rental Regulations. This bill expands the list of reasons for which a tenant may break a lease agreement with their landlord for third-party actions beyond the control of the landlord. Furthermore, the bill allows a tenant to terminate their lease by only submitting a written statement from a medical professional or application assistant that these actions occurred. The ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights staunchly defends the property rights of American citizens, which are inherently protected by the U.S. Constitution. ACU opposes these government mandates that weaken the right of contract and the ability of landlord and tenants to negotiate their own agreements and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 19, 2017 by a vote of 32-2.

21. SB 276 Regulatory Reform. This bill allows a small business that is charged with a first time, minor violation of an administrative rule, to address the violation within 30 days and not pay a fine. Exceptions include threats to public safety. ACU supports regulatory relief for small businesses and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 20, 2017 by a vote of 21-12.

22. SB 281 Sanctuary Cities. This bill allows victims of crimes committed by an illegal immigrant to sue a city if that city is a sanctuary city and refuses to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. ACU Foundation’s Center for Criminal Justice Reform engages heavily on issues such as this relating to victim’s rights. ACU supports the right of victims to be compensated for their loss as well as the enforcement of federal immigration laws and supported this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 25, 2017 by a vote of 18-17.

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23. HB 1228 Pet Sitting Service Regulations. This bill exempts those taking care of three or fewer domesticated animals from having to obtain a kenneling license. Furthermore, the bill legalizes online pet sitting services such as Rover, Fetch and PetSitters. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports common-sense regulatory reform and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on April 27, 2017 by a vote of 33-1.

24. SB 280 Colorado Economic Development Commission. This bill extends the Colorado Economic Development Commission through the year 2025. The commission makes taxpayer-funded loans and grants to government and private entities. ACU opposes this governmental interference in the free marketplace, and believes the private sector is best suited for making these types of investment decisions and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on April 28, 2017 by a vote of 27-8.

25. SB 267 Weakening the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This bill deals a major blow to the Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which limits spending growth to the rate of inflation plus population growth. Under the bill, hospital spending is no longer subject to TABOR, which results in state spending being allowed to increase by over $600 million a year. Increased government spending has a negative effect on both the public and private sectors of a community, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this further weakening of TABOR, which previously had been a nationwide model policy of fiscal restraint and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 8, 2017 by a vote of 25-10.

26. HB 1227 Energy Mandate. This bill requires utility companies to achieve another 5 percent reduction in peak demand by 2028, on top of the 5 percent reduction they already had to comply with for 2017. ACU supports abundant affordable energy for all and opposes these mandates which are nothing more than back-door utility rate increases and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 9, 2017 by a vote of 21-14.

27. HB 1090 Special Tax Credits. This bill doubles the Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit to $1.5 million and extends the program to the year 2022. The tax credit is provided to those who invest $10,000 or more in new companies the government decides are “Colorado Advanced Industries.” ACU opposes programs that place industries not favored by the government at a competitive disadvantage and spread the tax burden to other companies and opposed this bill. The Senate passed the bill on May 10, 2017 by a vote of 23-12.

28. HB 1313 Asset Forfeiture Reform. This bill makes a series of reforms to the state’s asset forfeiture law. Reforms include the establishment of a searchable database for seized property, an annual report summarizing asset seizures and the disposition of property seized in the state, and a ban on the receipt of assets under $50,000 that were seized by federal authorities. ACU Foundation’s Centers for Criminal Justice Reform and 21st Century Property Rights both engage heavily on this issue. ACU opposes the seizure of property without a criminal conviction and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The Senate passed the bill on May 10, 2017 by a vote of 32-3.

9


COLORADO SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District

SB 5

SB 55

SB 113

SB 110

SB 6

SB 153

SB 61

SB 181

SB 62

SB 200

SB 218

HB 1173

HB 1115

SB 39

HB 1188

SB 2

SB 243

SB 284

HB 1186

HB 1035

SB 276

SB 281

HB 1228

SB 280

SB 267

HB 1227

HB 1090

HB 1313

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

Aguilar D 32 - E E E - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - + 4 25 16% 11% 6%

BAUMGARDNER R 8 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + - + + + + - + + + 25 28 89% 95% 97%

COOKE R 13 + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + 26 28 93% 84% 87%

CORAM R 6 + + + + + - - + + + - - + + - + - - - - + + + - - - - + 15 28 54% 71% 78%

Court D 31 - - - + - - + - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - + + 7 28 25% 4% 11%

CROWDER R 35 + + + + + - + + + + + - + + - + - + - - + + + - - - - + 18 28 64% 68% 78%

Donovan D 5 - - - + - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - + 5 28 18% 16% 17%

Fenberg D 18 - - - + - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - + 5 28 18% n/a 18%

Fields D 29 - - - + - - + - + - - - + - - - - - E - - - + - - - - - 5 27 19% 8% 6%

Garcia D 3 - - - + + - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - + 6 28 21% 22% 16%

GARDNER R 12 + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + - + - - + + + - - + - - 20 28 71% n/a 84%

GRANTHAM R 2 + + + + + - + + + + + - + + + + - + + - + + + - - + - + 21 28 75% 74% 90%

Guzmán D 34 - - - + - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - E - + - - - - + 5 27 19% 11% 9%

HILL R 10 + + + + + - + + + + + - + + - + - + + - + + + + + + + + 23 28 82% 74% 86%

HOLBERT R 30 + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + 26 28 93% 95% 92%

Jahn D 20 - - - + + - + + + - - - + - - - - - - - + - + - - - - + 9 28 32% 16% 24%

Jones D 17 - - - + - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - E - - - - + 4 27 15% 0% 6%

Kagan D 26 - - - + - - - - + - E E + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - + 5 26 19% 4% 7%

Kefalas D 14 - - - + - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - + - + - - - - + 6 28 21% 11% 7%

Kerr D 22 - - - + - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - + 5 28 18% 5% 7%

LAMBERT R 9 + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + - + + - + + + - + + + + 24 28 86% 84% 94%

LUNDBERG R 15 + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + - + + - + + + - + + - + 23 28 82% 84% 93%

MARBLE R 23 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 28 28 100% 100% 100%

MARTINEZ HUMENIK R 24 + + + + + - + + + + - - + + - + - - - - + + - - + - - - 15 28 54% 63% 67%

Merrifield D 11 - - - + - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - + 5 28 18% 0% 8%

Moreno D 21 - - - + - - + - + - - - + - - - - - - - + - + - - - - + 7 28 25% 4% 8%

NEVILLE R 16 + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 27 28 96% 100% 98%

PRIOLA R 25 + + + + + - + + + + - - + + - + - + - - + + + - - - - + 17 28 61% 63% 77%

SCOTT R 7 + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + - + + - + + + - + + + + 23 28 82% 78% 91%

SMALLWOOD R 4 + + + + + + + + + + - - + + + + - + - - + + + + + + + + 23 28 82% n/a 82%

COLORADO SENATE SCORES

10


COLORADO SENATE VOTE DETAIL

Party District

SB 5

SB 55

SB 113

SB 110

SB 6

SB 153

SB 61

SB 181

SB 62

SB 200

SB 218

HB 1173

HB 1115

SB 39

HB 1188

SB 2

SB 243

SB 284

HB 1186

HB 1035

SB 276

SB 281

HB 1228

SB 280

SB 267

HB 1227

HB 1090

HB 1313

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

SONNENBERG R 1 + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - - + + + + - + + + 24 28 86% 94% 92%

TATE R 27 + + + + + - + + + + - - + + - + - + + - + + + - - + + + 20 28 71% 68% 80%

Todd D 28 - - - + - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - + 5 28 18% 11% 6%

Williams D 33 - - - + - - + + + - - - + - - - - - E E E - + - - - - + 7 25 28% 13% 13%

Zenzinger D 19 - - - + - - - - + - - - + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - + 5 28 18% n/a 9%

11


COLORADO HOUSE STATISTICS

46%OVERALL AVERAGE

THURLOW66%

LOWEST REPUBLICAN

87%REPUBLICAN AVERAGE

14%DEMOCRAT AVERAGE

GRAY20%

HIGHEST DEMOCRAT

COLORADO HOUSE CONSERVATIVE RATINGS

RED = REPUBLICANS BLUE = DEMOCRATS

# OF STATEREPS

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

090-100%

2017 ACU PERCENTAGE

0-9% 10-19% 30-39% 40-49% 50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-89%20-29%

12


1. HB 1068 Prevailing Wage Mandate. This bill forces the state Department of Transportation to follow the federal Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements in granting project contracts. ACU opposes mandates that place wages above the market rate and drive up the cost of projects to taxpayers and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 7, 2017 by a vote of 36-28.

2. HB 1001 Employer Mandate. This bill requires employers who have 50 or more employees to provide their employees with unpaid leave for certain activities. ACU opposes these mandates that interfere with the right of employees and employers to negotiate their own benefits and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 10, 2017 by a vote of 37-27.

3. HB 1173 Insurance Mandate. This bill regulates the contracting agreements between insurance companies and health care providers. Under the bill, an insurance carrier cannot take adverse actions against a provider if the provider voices their disagreement over a reimbursement decision. Some of the adverse actions that cannot be taken by the insurer include the termination of a contract with a provider, the filing of complaints with public entities, or communication with public officials on health care issues. ACU opposes this government interference in the free-market and disregard of private contracting rights and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on February 28, 2017 by a vote of 39-26.

4. HB 1187 Weakening the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This bill makes changes to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which restricts increases in spending to the rate of inflation plus population growth. The bill would change the formula to an increase based on the annual change in personal income over the past five years. Increased government spending has a negative effect on both the public and private sectors of a community, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the further weakening of TABOR which is a model for the nation in capping spending increases and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 9, 2017 by a vote of 39-26.

5. SB 110 Day Care Licensing. This bill provides a licensing exemption to individuals who provide child sitting services to four or less children for a period of time under 24 hours. The bill establishes reasonable parameters for these services including that the care must be done in a residential setting. ACU opposes restrictive licensing that significantly suppresses entrepreneurship and raises the cost of childcare and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on March 14, 2017 by a vote of 60-3.

6. HB 1188 “Hate” Crimes. This bill expands the definition of “hate” crimes to include enhanced penalties for harassment of an individual based on sexual orientation or mental disability. ACU believes this kind of legislation violates the “double jeopardy” clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and opposes attempts to determine people’s thoughts when they commit a crime and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 15, 2017 by a vote of 48-15.

7. SB 62 Campus Freedom of Speech. This bill bans the establishment of so-called “free speech zones” on college campuses, which restrict free expression to only certain areas of campus and limit students’ verbal or written expression based on adverse reactions by observers. The bill also establishes reasonable parameters in which students can express themselves that are not based on speech content. ACU believes the constitutionally protected right of free speech should not be confined to a restricted area and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 64-0.

8. HB 1186 Insurance Mandate. This bill requires health insurance plans that cover contraceptives to provide a 3 month supply for the first prescription and a 12 month supply for each additional prescription. In addition, they must provide a vaginal contraceptive ring that will last three months. ACU opposes government mandates that interfere with the market to enrich contraceptive manufacturers and drive up the cost of health insurance for everyone, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 50-14.

9. HB 1210 School Suspensions. This bill prohibits a local school from expelling a student up to the second grade or imposing an out-of-school suspension of more than three days (five days under certain circumstances). An exception is provided for a serious safety threat. ACU supports the strengthening of local school control and discipline, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 21, 2017 by a vote of 40-24.

10. HB 1230 Sanctuary State. This bill, in effect, makes Colorado a sanctuary state by prohibiting the state from helping federal authorities identify, track or detain an individual solely on the basis of their immigration status, race, religion or natural origin. A key vote came on the Humphrey amendment which confines the bill’s protections to only citizens or lawful residents. ACU supports the enforcement of federal immigration laws and supported this amendment. The House defeated the amendment on March 22, 2017 by a vote of 26-35.

COLORADO HOUSE VOTE DESCRIPTIONS

13


11. HB 1256 Private Property Mineral Rights. This bill reduces private property mineral rights by extending a ban on oil and gas operations from the current 1,000 feet from a school building to 1,000 feet from the school property line. The ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights staunchly defends the property rights of American citizens, which are inherently protected by the U.S. Constitution. ACU supports strengthening of land use rights and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 29, 2017 by a vote of 37-28.

12. HB 1242 Tax Increase. This bill calls for a referendum to impose a 17 percent increase in the state sales tax for the next 20 years, with the funds being used to pay for major transportation projects. The bill shifts the state away from the user fee method of funding transportation by reducing automotive registration fees. Furthermore, the bill mandates that 15 percent of the funds raised go to public transit projects. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this proposal to dramatically increase state spending instead of prioritizing current spending, especially when the state budget has already increased by 60 percent over the last ten years, and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on March 31, 2017 by a vote of 41-24.

13. HB 1175 Occupational Licensing Regulations. This bill places further licensing requirements on barbers, cosmetologists and manicurist by requiring them to pay for sexual assault and domestic violence awareness training in order to receive or renew their licenses. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 4, 2017 by a vote of 37-27.

14. HB 1227 Energy Mandate. This bill requires utility companies to achieve another 5 percent reduction in peak demand by 2028, on top of the 5 percent reduction they already had to comply with for 2017. ACU supports abundant affordable energy for all and opposes these mandates which are nothing more than back-door utility rate increases and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 4, 2017 by a vote of 42-22.

15. HB 1115 Direct Primary Health Care Agreements. This bill exempts direct primary care agreements from the extensive set of regulations that govern traditional health insurance. These agreements permit doctors and patients to contract with one another for basic services at a set monthly fee. ACU supports a free market in health care and supported this bill. The House passed the bill on April 11, 2017 by a vote of 64-0.

16. HB 1232 Alternative Fuel and Electric Vehicle Subsidies. This bill allows utilities to build out infrastructure for alternative fuel and electric vehicles, and then recover the costs through rate hikes on all utility customers. Higher tax burdens suppress economic growth, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this practice that enriches utility companies and spreads the cost of government favored energy sources onto all consumers and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 17, 2017 by a vote of 36-28.

17. HB 1235 Obamacare Expansion. This bill expands Obamacare subsidies to families with incomes of up to 500 percent of the poverty level ($121,000 a year). Individuals and families are eligible if their premiums are greater than 15 percent of their household income, live in an area with high insurance premiums, and don’t have access to health coverage through an employer or other government program. ACU opposes the further implementation of Obamacare, under which millions of people have lost their health insurance and choice of doctor and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 17, 2017 by a vote of 42-22.

18. SB 153 Amtrak Subsidies. This bill extends and renames an Amtrak-affiliated regional rail commission that promotes the preservation of existing long-distance Amtrak routes and adds additional stops and routes along the Interstate 25 corridor. The use of taxpayer money to extend this commission and subsidize economically infeasible initiatives and the continued government intervention in the rail industry is a direct violation of the ACU Foundation’s “Seven Principles of Privatization.” ACU opposes rail subsidies and this interference in the market place and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 18, 2017 by a vote of 40-25.

19. HB 1290 Compulsory Retirement Program. This bill requires businesses with five or more employees to enroll in a government-run retirement program if they do not already offer their employees one. The program will automatically deduct money from a worker’s paycheck unless they opt out. ACU supports the right of employees to negotiate their own benefits, opposes this government competition with the private sector and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 19, 2017 by a vote of 37-28.

20. HB 1035 Rental Regulations. This bill expands the list of reasons for which a tenant may break a lease agreement with their landlord for third-party actions beyond the control of the landlord. Furthermore, the bill allows a tenant to terminate their lease by only submitting a written statement from a medical professional or application assistant that these actions occurred. The ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights staunchly defends the property rights of American citizens, which are inherently protected by the U.S. Constitution. ACU opposes these government mandates that weaken the right of contract and the ability of landlord and tenants to negotiate their own agreements and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 21, 2017 by a vote of 61-2.

14


21. HB 1310 Rental Application Price Controls. This bill limits the application fee that a landlord may charge a prospective tenant to only the landlord’s actual expenses. In addition, the landlord must return any portion of the fee that is not authorized by law, as well as provide the applicant with a receipt disclosing all expenses. The ACU Foundation’s Center for 21st Century Property Rights staunchly defends the property rights of American citizens, which are inherently protected by the U.S. Constitution. ACU opposes price controls and needless regulations that place undue burdens on businesses and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 24, 2017 by a vote of 37-27.

22. HB 1260 Campaign Contribution Limits. This bill establishes campaign finance contribution limits for county offices, including commissioner, sheriff, clerk, coroner and surveyor. ACU opposes these limits, which chill political speech and provide an advantage to those candidates who are independently wealthy and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 24, 2017 by a vote of 37-27.

23. HB 1300 Hiring Mandate. This bill requires state agencies with public works projects over $500,000 to only hire state contractors who will utilize apprentices for at least 25 percent of their workforce. ACU opposes mandates that drive up taxpayer costs and interfere with a businesses’ ability to hire the best employees for a job and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 24, 2017 by a vote of 37-27.

24. SB 218 Landscape Architect Licensing. This bill extends the licensing requirements for landscape architects to 2028. Under this law, planning or consulting on a landscape project without a license is unlawful. When entrepreneurship is suppressed, the resulting decline in economic growth leads to a reduction in family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes the proliferation of licensing requirements that are primarily designed to restrict competition and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 27, 2017 by a vote of 36-29.

25. HB 1286 Insurance Mandate. This bill requires any health insurance company that does business with the state to participate in the Obamacare insurance exchanges. In addition, they must offer plans in two areas of the state that currently have the highest premiums and participate in both Medicaid and CHIP, a program that covers children and some adults – all regardless of the cost. ACU opposes these mandates that drive up the cost of health insurance and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 28, 2017 by a vote 37-27.

26. HB 1307 Mandatory Paid Leave. This bill imposes an additional wage tax that will be used to pay for a new state program that will provide paid family leave. Under the program, individuals can receive up to $1,000 a week for up to 12 weeks. ACU opposes socialist policies that hinder private sector job and wage growth and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 28, 2017 by a vote of 37-27.

27. HB 1309 Taxpayer Funded Activist Organizations. This bill doubles the real estate document fee and transfers this revenue to a new state “affordable housing fund”. Cash within this fund is then used to subsidize the construction and rehabilitation of housing, as well as given to non-profit entities that make loans to households. ACU opposes this program that duplicates other federal programs and gives taxpayer funds to activist organizations that lobby for more taxpayer funds and other political goals and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 28, 2017 by a vote of 35-29.

28. HB 1318 Health Insurance Mandate. This bill sets up an elaborate reporting procedure that health insurance carriers must supply to the Commissioner of Insurance. Information that must be reported includes net and total drug costs, the 10 most dispensed drugs, the highest cost drugs, and amounts paid for by patients. The state will then report these statistics to the legislature. ACU opposes this unwarranted forced public cost on a small segment of industry, driving up the cost of health insurance to everyone and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on April 28, 2017 by a vote of 37-27.

29. SB 243 Government Motorcycle Safety Program. This bill extends for three years a government-run motorcycle safety public relations campaign, which is paid for through surcharges on motorcycle license and registration fees. ACU opposes this program that raises the cost of motorcycle ownership and has been deemed ineffective and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 1, 2017 by a vote of 48-17.

30. HB 1191 Wasteful Spending. This bill requires legislative staff to report on whether proposed legislation has a “disparate impact” on certain demographic groups or minorities. The fiscal note provided with the bill states that an additional staff person will have to be hired at a cost of over $100,000 a year. ACU opposes this wasteful spending to make a political point and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 1, 2017 by a vote of 37-28.

31. HB 1228 Pet Sitting Service Regulations. This bill exempts those taking care of three or fewer domesticated animals from having to obtain a kenneling license. Furthermore, the bill legalizes online pet sitting services such as Rover, Fetch and PetSitters. Expanding entrepreneurship promotes economic growth, which leads to greater family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU supports common-sense regulatory reform and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on May 2, 2017 by a vote of 65-0.

32. SB 280 Colorado Economic Development Commission. This bill extends the Colorado Economic Development Commission through the year 2025. The commission makes taxpayer-funded loans and grants to government and private entities. ACU opposes this governmental interference in the free marketplace, and believes the private sector is best suited for making these types of investment decisions and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 8, 2017 by a vote of 44-21.

15


33. SB 267 Weakening the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This bill deals a major blow to the Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which limits spending growth to the rate of inflation plus population growth. Under the bill, hospital spending is no longer subject to TABOR, which results in state spending being allowed to increase by over $600 million a year. Increased government spending has a negative effect on both the public and private sectors of a community, which reduces family prosperity, as illustrated by the ACU Foundation’s Family Prosperity Index. ACU opposes this further weakening of TABOR, which previously had been a nationwide model policy of fiscal restraint and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 10, 2017 by a vote of 49-16.

34. HB 1090 Special Tax Credits. This bill doubles the Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit to $1.5 million and extends the program to the year 2022. The tax credit is provided to those who invest $10,000 or more in new companies the government decides are “Colorado Advanced Industries.” ACU opposes programs that place industries not favored by the government at a competitive disadvantage and spread the tax burden to other companies and opposed this bill. The House passed the bill on May 10, 2017 by a vote of 41-24.

35. HB 1313 Asset Forfeiture Reform. This bill makes a series of reforms to the state’s asset forfeiture law. Reforms include the establishment of a searchable database for seized property, an annual report summarizing asset seizures and the disposition of property seized in the state, and a ban on the receipt of assets under $50,000 that were seized by federal authorities. ACU Foundation’s Centers for Criminal Justice Reform and 21st Century Property Rights both engage heavily on this issue. ACU opposes the seizure of property without a criminal conviction and supported this bill as a step in the right direction. The House passed the bill on May 10, 2017 by a vote of 49-16.

16


COLORADO HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party District

HB 1068

HB 1001

HB 1173

HB 1187

SB 110

HB 1188

SB 62

HB 1186

HB 1210

HB 1230

HB 1256

HB 1242

HB 1175

HB 1227

HB 1115

HB 1232

HB 1235

SB 153

HB 1290

HB 1035

HB 1310

HB 1260

HB 1300

SB 218

HB 1286

HB 1307

HB 1309

HB 1318

SB 243

HB 1191

HB 1228

SB 280

SB 267

HB 1090

HB 1313

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

Arndt D 53 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 4% 12%

BECKER, J. R 65 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + - + - 30 35 86% 96% 85%

Becker, K. D 13 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 8% 8%

BECKMAN R 38 + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + 32 35 91% n/a 91%

Benavidez D 32 - - - - - - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

Bridges D 3 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

BUCK R 49 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 34 35 97% 100% 98%

Buckner D 40 E - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 34 15% 4% 5%

CARVER R 20 + + - - + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + + + - 28 35 80% 96% 86%

CATLIN R 58 + + + + + - + - - + + - + + + + - + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + - - - 25 35 71% n/a 71%

Coleman D 7 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

COVARRUBIAS R 56 + - + + + - + - + E + - + - + E E + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - 24 32 75% n/a 75%

Danielson D 24 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 4% 12%

Duran D 5 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - E - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 34 15% 4% 5%

Esgar D 46 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 6 35 17% 4% 10%

EVERETT R 22 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 35 35 100% 100% 100%

Exum D 17 - - - - + E + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 34 15% n/a 5%

Foote D 12 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - + + 6 35 17% 4% 6%

Garnett D 2 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 4% 9%

Ginal D 52 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 8% 6%

Gray D 33 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - + - - + - - - + - - - + 7 35 20% n/a 20%

Hamner D 61 - - - - + - + - - E - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 34 15% 4% 8%

Hansen D 6 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

Herod D 8 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

Hooton D 10 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

HUMPHREY R 48 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 34 35 97% 96% 99%

Jackson D 42 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

Kennedy D 23 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

Kraft-Tharp D 29 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 8% 12%

LANDGRAF R 21 + + - - E - + - + + + + + - + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - - + - 25 34 74% 79% 89%

LAWRENCE R 39 + + + + + - + - - + + - + - + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + - - - 25 35 71% 96% 90%

Lebsock D 34 - - - - - - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 8% 9%

Lee D 18 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - E - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 4 34 12% 4% 8%

LEONARD R 25 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 35 35 100% 96% 98%

COLORADO HOUSE SCORES

17


COLORADO HOUSE VOTE DETAIL

Party District

HB 1068

HB 1001

HB 1173

HB 1187

SB 110

HB 1188

SB 62

HB 1186

HB 1210

HB 1230

HB 1256

HB 1242

HB 1175

HB 1227

HB 1115

HB 1232

HB 1235

SB 153

HB 1290

HB 1035

HB 1310

HB 1260

HB 1300

SB 218

HB 1286

HB 1307

HB 1309

HB 1318

SB 243

HB 1191

HB 1228

SB 280

SB 267

HB 1090

HB 1313

ACU Votes

Votes Cast

2017 %

2016 %

LIFETIME AVG

LEWIS R 64 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - - + - E E E + + + + + + + + + - + + 28 32 88% n/a 88%

LISTON R 16 + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + E E E E - + + - - + - 25 31 81% n/a 86%

Lontine D 1 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 4% 9%

LUNDEEN R 19 + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - 32 35 91% 96% 93%

McKEAN R 51 + + + + + + + - + + + + + - + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - 31 35 89% n/a 89%

McLachlan D 59 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 7%

Melton D 41 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 8% 10%

Michaelson Jenet D 30 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

Mitsch Bush D 26 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - 4 35 11% 4% 6%

NAVARRO-RATZLAFF R 47 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + - - + + 31 35 89% 100% 93%

NEVILLE R 45 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 34 35 97% 100% 99%

NORDBERG R 14 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + 33 35 94% 92% 94%

Pabon D 4 - - - - + - + - - - - - E E + - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + - - - - 5 33 15% 8% 7%

Pettersen D 28 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 8% 8%

RANKIN R 57 + + + + + - + - + E + + + - + + - + + - + + + + + + + + - + + - - + + 26 34 76% 61% 78%

RANSOM R 44 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 34 35 97% 100% 99%

Rosenthal D 9 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - 4 35 11% 8% 6%

SAINE R 63 + + + + E E + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 32 33 97% 96% 97%

Salazar D 31 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% 8% 8%

SIAS R 27 + + + + + - E E E + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + 29 32 91% 83% 88%

Singer D 11 - E - - - - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - 3 34 9% 8% 7%

THURLOW R 55 + + + + + - + - - + + - + - + + + + + - + + + + + + - + - + + - - - - 23 35 66% 83% 77%

Valdez D 62 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

VAN WINKLE R 43 + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + 32 35 91% 96% 93%

Weissman D 36 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 35 14% n/a 14%

WILLETT R 54 + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + - + + - + + + + + + + + - + + + - - - 27 35 77% 96% 85%

WILLIAMS R 15 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 34 35 97% n/a 97%

WILSON R 60 + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + - + + - - - - 26 35 74% 83% 73%

Winter D 35 - - - - + - + - - - - - - - + - - - - E - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 34 15% 4% 9%

WIST R 37 + + + + + - + - + + + + + + + + + + + - + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 32 35 91% 96% 94%

Young D 50 - - - - + - + - - E - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - + 5 34 15% 4% 11%

NOTES

NOTES

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2017 - ACU Ratingsacuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/07/... · This bill expands the list of reasons for which a tenant SB 39 School Choice. This bill allows