GOV. RITTER SIGNS BIKE-SAFETY, MILITARY AND SEVERAL OTHER BILLS

 

COLORADO SPRINGS — Gov. Bill Ritter today signed into law seven bills during a town hall meeting with El Paso County state Reps. Dennis Apuan and Mike Merrifield and Sen. John Morse, including measures to improve bicycle safety and help National Guard citizen-soldiers afford college.

 

"Reps. Apuan and Merrifield and Sen. Morse played a key role in leading Colorado forward during the 2009 legislative session," Gov. Ritter said. "Despite the state's economic and budget challenges, we made historic progress on job creation, economic development, healthcare reform, transportation improvements and advancing education. These three lawmakers worked hard on all of those issues for their El Paso County constituents. All of Colorado also will benefit from the bills I am signing into law here in Colorado Springs today, including measures to increase bicycle safety, help National Guard members go to college, improve civil rights and assist local schools."

 

The bills signed today:

 

Senate Bill 148, sponsored by Rep. Merrifield and Sen. Greg Brophy, will make cycling in Colorado safer. It requires drivers to provide at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist and sets penalties for motorists who endanger cyclists. "One of the great things about Colorado is that so many people love to bike," said Gov. Ritter, noting that he, Rep. Merrifield and Sen. Brophy all are avid cyclists. "But it also means that cyclists and motorists alike must take extra precautions so that we can share the road safely. This new law will enhance safety for everyone."

 

House Bill 1290, co-sponsored by Reps. Apuan and B.J. Nikkel and Sen. Ted Harvey, will help members of the Colorado National Guard afford to go to college in Colorado. It will increase the amount of scholarship dollars available in the Colorado National Guard Tuition Fund by $150,000.

 

"The increased financial assistance will help National Guard members pay for school and ensure that they can compete in the global job market during or after their service to our country," Gov. Ritter said.

 

"Since its inception in 1979, the National Guard Tuition Assistance program has proven to be one of the most effective ways to recruit and retain quality Coloradans to serve in the National Guard," Rep. Apuan said. "By providing Coloradans serving in the National Guard access to higher education, we're ensuring Colorado always has a strong force at the ready. And we're giving back to our service members by providing access to an education that allows them to compete for the best jobs out there.  The program is a great way to show our thanks to our loyal servicemen and women who give so much to this country."

 

"I was pleased to work on House Bill 1290, which raises the amount of financial aid available for members of the Colorado National Guard," Rep. Nikkel said. "These men and women serve their state proudly, and it's my pleasure to work on their behalf."

 

Gov. Ritter signed a second military bill today, House Bill 1058, sponsored by Rep. Don Marostica and Sen. Morse, which grants members of the military and veterans the right to attempt to identify abandoned military remains to help ensure that fallen heroes receive a proper military burial.

 

House Bill 1250, sponsored by Rep. Merrifield and Sen. Josh Penry, offers a critical opportunity to provide additional financial assistance to school districts in rural Colorado. The legislation creates a process to increase funds distributed to Colorado counties through the federal Secure Rural Schools Act.

 

"This legislation will provide critically-needed funding to local school districts – particularly rural school districts – that so desperately need additional resources," Rep. Merrifield said. "HB 1250 balances the needs of rural Colorado by ensuring resources are shared equitably, as was the original intention of the Secure Rural Schools Act."

 

Senate Bill 110, sponsored by Sen. Morse and Rep. Claire Levy, extends the charters of the Colorado Civil Rights Division and the Colorado Commission on Civil Rights through July 1, 2018.  Their charters were set to expire this year. In conjunction with signing this bill into law, Gov. Ritter also called on the Colorado Civil Rights Division to prepare an annual civil rights report detailing progress and challenges.

 

"I'm proud that we've moved legislation forward that will continue the Civil Rights Division," Sen. Morse said. "Over the years in Colorado, and the nation as a whole, has made great strides in equality, whether it's racial, gender or sexual orientation. However there are still disparities in financial situations, health and education, which clearly exhibit the need for the mission and work of the Division to continue."

 

House Bill 1313, sponsored by Rep. Merrifield and Sen. Bob Bacon, permits the governing boards at universities and colleges to create a policy to allow members of the student body to place a proposed optional fee on the ballot at a regular student election.

 

House Bill 1334, sponsored by Reps. Beth McCann and Apuan and Sen. Linda Newell, clarifies the existing statute concerning aggregating multiple charges of theft. Under this bill, multiple acts of theft now may be aggregated if they occur during a six-month period, and if they are committed against the same person over any time period. 

 

Visit www.colorado.gov/governor or click here for a list of 2009 legislative action by Gov. Ritter.

 

Photo Captions:

 

Gov. Ritter Signs SB 148: (At left) State. Rep. Mike Merrifield and members of Bicycle Colorado join Gov. Ritter as he signs Senate Bill 148 to improve cyclist safety.

 

Gov. Ritter Signs HB 1058: State Sen. John Morse (left) and Rep. Don Marostica (right) join veterans and military members as Gov. Ritter signs House Bill 1058. The measure will help lead to the identification of abandoned remains and ensure that fallen heroes receive a proper military burial.