Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Leave topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill proposing job-protected legislative leave for General Assembly members
Summary
Senate Bill 87, which would require employers to provide unpaid (or at employer discretion, paid) leave for Colorado General Assembly members during sessions and guarantee reinstatement, was advanced to the Committee of the Whole after sponsor testimony and a public comment in favor; the committee approved the motion 3–2.
Senate Bill 87, introduced by the sponsor identified in the hearing, would require employers to provide unpaid leave (or paid leave at the employer’s discretion) to members of the Colorado General Assembly for the duration of regular or special sessions and guarantee return to the same position and salary level. The sponsor argued the policy would broaden who can run for office by reducing the employment- and income-related barriers to serving in the part-time legislature.
Support came from Jacob Beckland, executive director of Colorado Labor Action, who testified that the bill would enable more people holding 9-to-5 jobs to run for and serve in the legislature by preserving their outside employment and making legislative service more economically feasible. Committee members asked no technical questions during testimony. Some senators expressed philosophical concerns that some occupations make it difficult to step away and therefore they could not support the bill in its current form.
No amendments were offered. Vice Chair moved the bill to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The committee recorded a roll-call result of 3 to 2 in favor, sending the bill to the next stage of legislative consideration.
