The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced SB 26-072 — a bill to close a charging gap between misdemeanor careless driving resulting in death and felony vehicular homicide — by a unanimous 7-0 vote after sponsors reluctantly stripped a crime-of-violence designation and related sentencing enhancements to bring the fiscal note from roughly $150 million over four years down to zero.
Senator Carson moved Amendment L001 to remove the crime-of-violence designation for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault, citing a fiscal note of approximately $16 million in year one and $150 million over four years. Jocelyn Reimer of MADD stated the organization 'strongly supports designating these offenses as crimes of violence' and declared 'that is a fight that we will continue.' Sergeant Brian Scott, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, stated that while still supporting the bill, the organization 'does believe that change weakens the measure.' Michael White stated directly: 'Understand there's an amendment to remove the crimes of violence provision. Understand the state budget crisis. Keep vehicular homicide in this bill.' Sponsors Carson and Snyder stated they preferred not to offer L001 but did so due to fiscal constraints.
+ 2 more controversies
“I personally tried a careless driving causing death case just over a year ago where the defendant was texting while she ran over and killed Oliver Stratton, a 10 year old boy while he was riding his bike and abiding the bike laws in his own neighborhood in Timnath. We convicted that defendant at trial and she got a maximum sentence, one year in jail. And the judge allowed her to serve that by work release. She was back out in the community immediately because the Department of Revenue errored on their paperwork. She was back driving immediately.”
+ 2 more quotes
Subscribe to see all key actions, controversies, quotes, and what's next.
Sign in to subscribeGood afternoon. The Senate Judiciary Committee will come to order on Monday 6th April. Ms. Jensen, please start us off with a roll call. Senators Carson, Doherty. Can we maybe double check for Senator Dougherty on the zoom? Excused for now. Hendrickson. Here. Wallace. Present. Liston. Here. Roberts. Excused. Mr. Chair. Here. Okay. We have a quorum. Senator Roberts notified me he is presenting a bill in another committee. He'll join us shortly. And, Senator Snyder, appreciate your noting. You also have duties in another committee. This kind of stacking is unavoidable at this point in the session. But given that we'll proceed to business, which is Senate Bill 72 sponsors. Whoever would like to make the opening comments first. Senator Carson. Okay. And record can reflect. We are joined by Senator Dougherty on zoom. Senator. Sorry for any tech issues today. Senator Carson, Please go ahead. Thank you. Good afternoon, Chairman Weissman, Vice Chairman Roberts, and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I'm pleased to join Senator Snyder in presenting this important legislation before you today. Senate Bill 72. Far too many Coloradans are being killed or seriously injured due to careless, reckless and negligent driving on our roads.…
Subscribe to unlock the full transcript, summary, and search across all Colorado committee hearings.
Sign in to subscribe