Committee votes to re‑refer 'Charlie Kirk Day' bill to Intergovernmental Affairs after heated debate

Under other business the committee called up House Bill 19‑29 (printer's number 2428), described in the bill summary as a proposal to provide for an annual recognition and observance of 'Charlie Kirk Day.' Committee members debated a motion to re‑refer the bill to the Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations Committee; the motion to re‑refer passed 14–12.

The bill summary presented the measure as by Chairman Diamond, but during debate one member identified himself as the bill’s introducer. Representative Dimon said he had introduced the bill and urged the committee to consider it here rather than re‑refer it. Other members argued the bill belonged in Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations.

Chairman Roy spoke in favor of the bill’s recognition, saying it honored a person who had exercised freedom of speech; in the course of his remarks he characterized the honoree as having been killed “because of his political beliefs,” a claim that other members did not corroborate during the hearing. Representative Bink and Representative Schaefer urged that resolutions and recognitions are frequently handled in this committee and opposed rereferral as a means to avoid voting.

After debate the committee voted 14–12 to re‑refer the measure to Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations, which will take up the bill next. Committee members who pressed for a vote said rereferral prolongs consideration but allows the measure to be considered by a committee they deemed more appropriate.