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Press Release- April 26, 2007

OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2007

Contact:
Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370

GOV. RITTER SIGNS ETHICS COMMISSION, WORKERS' COMP AND SEX OFFENDER BILLS INTO LAW

Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law Senate Bill 210, which establishes an independent ethics commission to address Amendment 41 issues.

"I commend the bi-partisan effort in both chambers of the General Assembly that led to passage of this enabling legislation, which will provide clarity regarding the requirements of Amendment 41," Gov. Ritter said.

"SB 210 faithfully implements the ethics reform passed by the voters in November," Gov. Ritter said. "This bill also clears the way for the appointment of members of the ethics commission, who will, in turn, provide government employees and elected officials further guidance through advisory opinions."

Gov. Ritter also signed:

  • House Bill 1297, concerning workers' compensation disfigurement awards, sponsored by Rep. Rosemary Marshall and Sen. Chris Romer.
"Workers' comp limits for disfigurement have not been increased for over 30 years," Gov. Ritter said. "This bill was the product of extensive negotiations and directs that new limits be adjusted annually. This is the right thing to do to protect working families across Colorado."
  • House Bill 1317, concerning the posting of sex offender registration information on a local law enforcement agency website, sponsored by Rep. Dianne Primavera and Sen. Ron Tupa.
"This bill is about keeping people safe. It directs local law enforcement agencies that release information about registered sex offenders on their websites also to post educational information concerning protection from sex offenders or to provide a link to the educational information that is posted on the CBI's website," Gov. Ritter said.
  • HB 1025, concerning the funding of child welfare services and the review of rates, services and outcomes, sponsored by Rep. Cheri Jahn and Sen. Betty Boyd.
  • HB 1145, concerning renewable energy resources development on state lands managed by the State Board of Land Commissioners, sponsored by Rep. Mike Merrifield and Sen. Ken Gordon.
  • HB 1186, concerning the inclusion of incorporated portions of counties to the Regional Transportation District, sponsored by Rep. Jim Kerr and Sen. Stephanie Takis.
  • HB 1237, concerning technical modifications to the state public school fund, sponsored by Rep. Jack Pommer and Sen. Moe Keller.
  • HB 1239, concerning a temporary increase in the limit on bonded indebtedness for fast-growing school districts for any indebtedness approved at the 2008 general election, sponsored by Rep. Mary Hodge and Sen. Stephanie Takis.
  • HB 1286, concerning documentation required to be submitted by an individual applying for unemployment insurance benefits pursuant to a reciprocal interstate agreement when the individual is not a Colorado resident, sponsored by Rep. Dianne Primavera and Sen. Moe Keller.
  • HB 1294, concerning the use of a name-based criminal history record check for certification of an emergency medical technician if the applicant's fingerprints are unclassifiable, sponsored by Rep. Ellen Roberts and Sen. John Morse.
  • HB 1307, concerning the Colorado Seed Act, sponsored by Rep. Rafael Gallegos and Sen. Lois Tochtrop.
  • HB 1308, concerning a late fee for an assessment on a brand recorded by the state Board of Stock Inspection Commissioners, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Curry and Sen. Jim Isgar.
  • To be signed later today: HB 1347, concerning the immunization tracking system in Colorado, sponsored by Rep. Andy Kerr and Sen. Brandon Shaffer. The signing ceremony for this bill will take place from 3:30 to 4 p.m., University Physicians Inc. on the Fitzsimons campus, 13611 E. Colfax, Aurora.