CLICS/CLICS2026A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For HB26-1281
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date May 6, 2026
Location Old Supreme Court
HB26-1281 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole
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04:39:43 PM |
The committee took a brief recess and reconvened at 4:50 pm.
Senators Weissman and Hinrichsen, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 26-1281. The bill reclassifies several offenses around first and second-degree murder, attempted murder, and vehicular homicide.
Committee members asked questions about mens rea, exceptions, and how mental state at the time of the crime impacts charges and sentencing. |
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05:27:46 PM |
Joseph Archambault, representing Colorado State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill. Mr. James Karbach, representing Colo. St. Pub. Defender, testified in support of the bill. Dan Meyer, representing Spero Justice Center, testified in support of the bill. Justin Marceau, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
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05:37:37 PM |
Michael Allen, representing
4th Judicial District Attorney, testified in opposition to the bill. Brian
Mason, representing 17th Judicial District Attorney, testified in opposition
to the bill. Jacob Friedberg, representing 2nd Judicial District Attorney's
Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Discussion ensued about the
bill's application. |
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05:54:35 PM |
Maureen Cain, representing
spero Justice, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Kevin Lash, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Jennifer Jones, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Lucienne Ohanian, representing
Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill.
Committee member discussion followed about murder sentences and impacted
parties. |
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06:11:01 PM |
Kelly Bartell, representing
themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Brynn Chase, representing
23rd JD DA's Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Nate Marsh, representing
23 JD DA Office, testified in opposition to the bill. Courtney Sutton,
representing Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, testified in
opposition to the bill. Committee members asked about prosecutions would
work under the bill's provisions. |
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06:29:40 PM |
David Kaplan, representing Colorado state public defender, testified in support of the bill. Sarah Croog, representing CCDB, testified in support of the bill. Megan Downing, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. David Carrillo, representing Legislation Inside, testified in support of the bill.
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06:39:42 PM |
Melissa Oakes, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Andrea Bradbury, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Emily Tofte Nestaval, representing Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Jeany Rush, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.
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06:51:11 PM |
Trudy Gygi, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Kim Chalmers, representing
Office of the State Public Defender, testified in support of the bill.
Jeanne Segil, representing Korey Wise Innocence Project and Legislation
Inside, testified in support of the bill. Committee members asked the panel
about appropriate charges for homicide criminal offenses. |
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07:01:18 PM |
Matthew Lunn, representing Division of Criminal Justice/CDPS, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Kazi Houston, representing Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center, testified in opposition to the bill.
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07:05:41 PM |
Senators Weissman
and Hinrichsen made closing comments. Committee members made closing remarks. |
07:24:17 PM
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Motion |
Refer House Bill 26-1281 to the Committee of the Whole. |
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| Moved |
Weissman |
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| Seconded |
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Carson |
No |
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Daugherty |
Yes |
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Hinrichsen |
Yes |
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Wallace |
Yes |
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Zamora Wilson |
No |
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Roberts |
No |
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Weissman |
Yes |
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Final |
YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
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