GOV. RITTER SIGNS HEALTHY RIVERS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION BILLS INTO LAW

Gov. Bill Ritter signed several pieces of legislation into law today, including a measure that strengthens consumer rights against unfair business practices by insurance agents and another bill that will help preserveColorado's rivers, streams and lakes.

 

House Bill 1228 was sponsored by Rep. Gwyn Green and Sen. Ken Gordon. It authorizes the insurance commissioner to order an insurance agent or company to pay restitution to a consumer for violating state insurance laws or for engaging in unfair business practices. It passed the House 65-0 and the Senate 26-8.

 

"In general, insurance companies and their agents are doing a fine job in Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. "But giving the insurance commissioner the authority to make the consumer whole if an insurance company or its agent does the wrong thing is the right thing to do for all Coloradans."

 

The bill was supported by consumer advocates and insurers. "The citizens of this state always benefit when all parties to a problem are willing to come together and recognize the need to find a solution and make it happen," Insurance Commissioner Marcy Morrison said.

 

"This bill will send a loud message to bad acting insurance companies that Colorado is out of bounds for insurance scams," said Rep. Green.

 

House Bill 1280, known as the Healthy Rivers Act, was sponsored by Rep. Randy Fischer and Sen. Gail Schwartz. It encourages water-right holders to lease or loan rights to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for environmental purposes to protect instream flows in rivers and streams. Numerous environmental group and many water providers, including Denver Water, supported the bill, which passed the House 59-6 and the Senate 32-2.

 

"As an avid fly-fisherman, preserving Colorado's rivers and streams is extremely important to me," Gov. Ritter said. "It's also vital to our environment and our economy. This new law will strengthen Colorado's 35-year-old Instream Flow Program and ensure that water rights leased or loaned to the Colorado Water Conservation Board for environmental purposes will not be weakened, lost or considered abandoned."

 

"For too long, ranchers and farmers could lose their water rights if they didn't use all the water they were given annually," Rep. Fischer said. "We live in a large, dry Western state that's susceptible to drought, and it's time we reward – not punish – those who conserve. This legislation gives landowners an important incentive to turn off the tap!"

 

Gov. Ritter signed the following bills into law today:

 

Bill #	Short Title	Sponsors	Date Action	Action
HB08-1113	Limited Gaming Casinos Statutory Cleanup	MASSEY / SANDOVAL	4/21/2008	Signed
HB08-1135	CICs HOAs Due Process Dispute Resolution	CARROLL M. / HAGEDORN	4/21/2008	Signed
HB08-1173	Prudent Management Institutional Funds	MCGIHON / SHAFFER	4/21/2008	Signed
HB08-1195	Return Release Of Deed Of Trust	MITCHELL V. / TAYLOR	4/21/2008	Signed
HB08-1207	Procure Envtl Preferable Products	KEFALAS / BACON	4/21/2008	Signed
HB08-1228	Ins Responsibility Unfair Bus Practices	GREEN / GORDON	4/21/2008	Signed
HB08-1280	Protect Leased Instream Flow Water Right	FISCHER / SCHWARTZ	4/21/2008	Signed
HB08-1334	Volunteer Fire EMS Provider Health Ins	WITWER / KOPP	4/21/2008	Signed
SB08-027	Ltd Gaming License Slot Machine Sales	GIBBS / LEVY	4/21/2008	Signed
SB08-035	Alternative Hunting License Program	TAYLOR / SONNENBERG	4/21/2008	Signed
SB08-069	Clarify Wildlife Prohibitions	TAYLOR / SONNENBERG	4/21/2008	Signed
SB08-144	Disposition Of Abandoned Motor Vehicles	WINDELS / BENEFIELD	4/21/2008	Signed
SB08-150	School Retirement Plan Member Records	SANDOVAL / FRANGAS	4/21/2008	Signed
SB08-151	Require Motor Vehicle Dealer Education	TOCHTROP / MAROSTICA	4/21/2008	Signed