The committee advanced the County Commissioner Redistricting Integrity Act (HB 26-1038) to the Committee of the Whole on an 8-3 vote over home-rule objections from Weld County, then laid over HB 26-1049 — a bill creating felony penalties for unauthorized AI use of biometric identifiers — after members raised substantial concerns about overbreadth and the absence of a mens rea element.
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Commissioner Scott James argued the bill 'moves decision making power away from the Weld voters and towards a one size fits all mandate from Denver' and that Weld County, one of only two home rule counties in Colorado, has governed itself under a charter since 1975. Vice Chair Clifford countered by citing Article 14, Section 16, subsection three of the Colorado Constitution, stating home rule counties 'shall exercise all mandatory powers as may be required by statute,' and Representative Espenoza noted the Colorado Supreme Court's ruling that 'the Weld county and all counties must follow the obligations of state statute.'
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“It doesn't simply establish guardrails. It moves decision making power away from the Weld voters and towards a one size fits all mandate from Denver.”
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Sign in to subscribeThe House State Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee will come to order. Ms. King, please call the roll. Representatives. Bottoms. Argh. Bradley. Argh. Matey Carter. Present. Espinosa. Here. Foray. Arrived. Trollic. Excused. I'm not sure what's happening right now. Win. Ricks. Whoop, whoop. Clifford Here. Madam Chair. Here. Before we review the agenda, I do just want members of the public to know that we are in fact a very serious committee. And today we will hear two bills. A House bill, Bill 1038, and then followed by House Bill 1049. We have both of our bill sponsors here. Representative Paschal and then Vice Chair Clifford was approved to be on this bill earlier today. That's why he's presenting us. Presenting in for. I'm sorry, presenting the bill in front of us. So with that, who would like to begin? Representative Pashel, tell us about your bill. Okay. Firstly, it's Pascal. Rhymes with rascal. Gotta get that right. Makes a lot of sense. Second year here. Thank you. Madam Chair and members of the committee, I am very pleased to be presenting House Bill 1038, the county commissioner Redistricting Integrity Act. I want to give you a nuts and…
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