JANUARY 31, 2007 MEETING MINUTES
CBA BILL OF RIGHTS COMMITTEE
LOCATION: CBA offices, Denver, CO
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
In Person:
Chair: Mari Newman
Sarah Rich
Tim Quinn
Janet Drake
Brad Abramson
Lorraine Parker
Via Telephone:
Patty Jarzobski
Ari Christopher
Terry Quinn
OTHERS PRESENT:
CBA Personnel:
Mike Valdez
Stacy Chesney
1. LEGISLATIVE SUB-GROUP REPORT
The Legislative Sub-Group has phone-in meetings every Tuesday at 11:30; members are encouraged to call in even if they have not had time to read the bills because everyone’s participation is beneficial.
A. Joint Resolution regarding the right to habeas corpus.
Michael Valdez explained the process for moving the proposed Joint Resolution from the Committee to the Legislature. First it must be approved by the committee. Next it gets vetted by other CBA Sections. Third it goes before the CBA’s Legislative Policy Committee, which meets on Friday mornings.
Sarah Rich explained the genesis of the proposed Joint Resolution. It was modeled on the Senate Joint Resolution in 2005 in support of the Patriot Act. She stated that the proposed resolution needs sponsors in both the House and the Senate, and was hoping for CBA sponsorship. The chances of passage were discussed, with acknowledgement that while divisive, the issue may also be the issue of our time.
Sarah discussed the reasons for the proposed Joint Resolution. Congress passed the Military Commissions Act in September 2006. The Act strips habeas corpus rights from any non citizen deemed to be an unlawful military combatant. Senator Ken Salazar voted for it.
Further discussion: the language of the draft resolution needs to be further vetted. Terry Quinn opposed the motion as beyond the scope of the BOR committee. Tim Quinn suggested adding a reference to the Colorado Constitution’s habeas corpus section, and to send it to Colorado’s congressional representatives as well. Motion proposed and seconded to circulate the proposed final language to the entire committee for approval via email, and to send out the final draft joint resolution to the CBA Sections and LPC. After further discussion, the Motion passed 9-1.
B. HB 1040. Porya Mansorian was not present; the committee tabled discussion as we need more information to take a position.
C. SB 046. This bill is a long shot for passage. Brad Abramson will research the pros and cons of the current electoral college system vs. the proposed legislation.
D. HB 1093. A motion to support this bill passed unanimously. Sarah Rich will appear at the next meeting of the LPC to present the BOR Committee’s position on the bill.
2. OLD BUSINESS.
Kiowa 201 Amendment. Tim Quinn had circulated an email about this issue, which involves retrospective application. He withdraws his request that the BOR Committee take a position on the matter. His comments and concerns caught the attention of the sponsors and were addressed.
3. NEW BUSINESS
The Committee identified the need to delineate the BOR Committee’s scope
4. ADJOURNED at 12:35 PM -- Next Meeting – February 28, 2007.
Prepared by:
/s/ Lorraine Parker
