Printed on 4/14/09
For information about State Legislation, Legislators, current bill status, and Colorado Laws, click here.
For streaming video of the House Chambers, and streaming audio of all committee hearings, click here.
HB09-1068 - Phase Out Business Personal Property Tax
The bill would have created an exemption from property taxation for business personal property, as the current tax is like an export tariff levied on our own sales. The bill was defeated in the House Finance Committee on a party-line vote.
HB09-1123 - Human Trafficking, Smuggling, and Servitude
This bill seeks to increase the penalties for engaging in child trafficking; it passed out of the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee last week and now moves to the House Appropriations Committee. Much of illegal immigration is about exploiting people, and as the ACLU sues to protect the criminals, we will continue to try to stop these illegal practices.
HB09-1165 - Sole-source Government Contract Database
Sought to implement voter-approved change to state constitution to increase transparency of no-bid contractors and created a database to increase government transparency regarding business contracts. Defeated in House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs on a party-line vote.
HB09-1195 - Private School Tuition Income Tax Credit
Worked to establish a private school income tax credit to reduce the General Fund, while also allowing parents or corporate sponsors to receive tax credit for qualified students. With sufficient participation, the bill could have saved Colorado hundreds of millions of dollars. Voted down in the House Education Committee on a 7-4 vote.
HB-1206 - Honest Money Act
A return to the gold standard would counter federal inflation of the dollar, and the bill would have established a system for state and political subdivisions to make and receive payment using an electronic gold currency for specified transactions. The bill would have additionally provided standards for a designated gold currency payment provider. Though it was defeated in committee, it could help set the stage for a national debate as Obamaflation bankrupts the country and expands the economic crisis. Six states have now introduced similar legislation.
Summary: why we should follow the Constitution and use legal money
Further reading: Roger Sherman's A Caveat Against Injustice
SB09-108 - "You pay" for "FASTER"
Senator Romer's bill would impose a road safety surcharge and a daily vehicle rental fee, while also converting existing paid-for roads into toll-roads. Additionally, the bill will also impose a supplemental oversize, overweight, and longer vehicle combination surcharge. The bill also contains a large increase the fines for late motor vehicle registration. The bill passed out of the Senate on a party-line vote with no Republican amendments, and it is now ready to be voted on in the House after passing out of the House Transportation and Energy Committee, as well as the Appropriations Committee.
SB09-88 - "You pay" for Domestic Partnerships
The bill would make a state employees domestic partner eligible for coverage under the states group benefits plan, and it is tightly written to benefit homosexual couples only. Worse, the coverage provided at taxpayer expense. This bill also passed out of the Senate on a party-line vote, and it will now be brought before the House.
SB09-170 - "You pay" In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens
Seeks to provide in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and children of illegal immigrants and would also allow for the provision of state-funded tuition assistance, regardless of immigration status. It has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee.
HB09-1115 - Photo ID for voting purposes
Sought to require a valid photo ID when voting, with any government-issued photo ID deemed sufficient. The bill was killed in the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee.
HB09-1146 - Valid ID for Voter Registration
HB-1146 would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote, allowing for any document or proof of method of citizenship established by a federal immigration law. The bill was killed in State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee on a party-line vote.
(Left to right) Sen. Dave Schultheis, Sen. Kevin Lundberg, and Kent Lambert in a working group to finalize new revisions to the Declaration of Principles of the Republican Study Committee of Colorado. University of Colorado academic hiring and tenure policy, the status of illegal immigration bills, and upcoming plans for hearings on primary and secondary education were also discussed.
RSCC Declaration of Principles
I have declared my dedication to the principles of limited and Constitutional role for civil government, a strong national defense, the protection of individual and property rights, and the preservation of traditional family values.
Representative Kent Lambert
Individual liberty
Personal responsibility
Limited government
Rule of law
Sanctity of life
Legal immigration
Free markets and commerce
Lower taxes
Family integrity and the American moral tradition
Quality education through choice
Free-market conservation
Increase private-sector healthcare
I am working to support core Republican principles and to apply those principles through a strong Republican organization in the General Assembly. My experience as Executive Director of the Republican Study Committee of Colorado (RSCC) demonstrates my commitment to that goal, and my ability to make it work. I helped write the RSCC Declaration of Principles, and I follow those principles to guide my votes as a State Representative.
Representative Lambert speaks to the crowd gathered to protest President Obama's signing of the stimulus package.
June 6, 2008
Authorization for a commorative license plate honoring the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, sponsored by Representative and Eagle Scout Kent Lambert, was signed into law today by Governor Bill Ritter.
HB-1151 was co-sponsored by Eagle Scout Representative Terrance Carroll of Denver, Eagle Scouts Senator Dave Schultheis and Representative Larry Liston of Colorado Springs, and many other legislators.
The Boy Scouts of America was founded on February 8, 1910, by William Boyce, a Chicago publisher, following the model of the British Scouts started by Lord Robert Baden-Powell a few years earlier.
Since 1910, more than 111 million young people have joined Scouting organizations. As of December 31, 2006, Boy Scout program membership included: 1,167,102 Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venture Scouts (which includes both young men and young women); 1,701,861 Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts; and almost 1.2 million adult volunteers, all organized as 121,530 Packs, Troops and Teams.
Representative Lambert was awarded the Eagle Scout Award in 1970 just after he joined the Air Force Academy. It was presented to him by the Academy Commandant of Cadets, Brig. Gen. Robin Olds. He later started an American Boy Scout troop at the American Embassy in Amman, Jordan, and served as Scoutmaster for about 20 boys.
Denver, November, 2008
Two House Concurrent Resolutions sponsored by Kent Lambert and Senator David Schultheis, were approved by voters on the November 4 ballot.
Constitutional referenda require approval by two-thirds of members in both houses of the General Assembly, which is relatively rare. The two-year long 66th Colorado General Assembly produced only four referred measures for the 2008 ballot. Both of the Lambert/Schultheis measures received 99 of 100 possible votes.
The referenda are designed to selectively remove obsolete language from the Constitution. HCR08-1008 removes language from the original 1876 Colorado Constitution and from the Prohibition Era concerning "spurious, poisonous, or drugged spiritous liquors," which protected Coloradoans before the days of the Federal Food and Drug Administration and a variety of other federal and state laws.
HCR08-1009 removes an obsolete and superseded provision that allowed a tax waiver for "arborial planting" of "hedges, orchards, and forests" on private land. Research indicated that since 1876 that waiver had never been used.
In response to the opinion of many that the Constitution was getting too long, these were two of several sections of the Constitution that were originally identified by Representative Douglas Bruce as good candidates for removal.
The two measures appeared on the November 4 ballot as "Referendum M" and "Referendum N", and were passed by a majority of the voters.
Denver, April 24, 2008
HB08-1097, sponsored by Representative Kent Lambert and Senator Chris Romer, was signed into law today. It will protect Civil Air Patrol members and other state volunteers from losing their jobs during declared emergencies. During times of emergency, the state and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rely more and more on trained, but unpaid, volunteers to respond during federal, state-wide, or local disasters or terrorist incidents.
HB08-1097 will extend the same job protections to members of the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxilary, as currently protect members of the National Guard during emergencies or disasters at the request of the Governor, the U.S. Air Force, or the Colorado Division of Emergency Management.
Representative Lambert also worked with the Division of Emergency Management to amend the bill to extend job protections to other essential volunteers throughout the state.
Representative Lambert is the Commander of the Capitol Squadron of the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
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General Assembly
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General Assembly Information
For information about State Legislation, Legislators, current bill status, and Colorado Laws, click here.
For streaming video of the House Chambers, and streaming audio of all committee hearings, click here.
Current Bills
HB09-1068 - Phase Out Business Personal Property Tax
The bill would have created an exemption from property taxation for business personal property, as the current tax is like an export tariff levied on our own sales. The bill was defeated in the House Finance Committee on a party-line vote.
HB09-1123 - Human Trafficking, Smuggling, and Servitude
This bill seeks to increase the penalties for engaging in child trafficking; it passed out of the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee last week and now moves to the House Appropriations Committee. Much of illegal immigration is about exploiting people, and as the ACLU sues to protect the criminals, we will continue to try to stop these illegal practices.
HB09-1165 - Sole-source Government Contract Database
Sought to implement voter-approved change to state constitution to increase transparency of no-bid contractors and created a database to increase government transparency regarding business contracts. Defeated in House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs on a party-line vote.
HB09-1195 - Private School Tuition Income Tax Credit
Worked to establish a private school income tax credit to reduce the General Fund, while also allowing parents or corporate sponsors to receive tax credit for qualified students. With sufficient participation, the bill could have saved Colorado hundreds of millions of dollars. Voted down in the House Education Committee on a 7-4 vote.
HB-1206 - Honest Money Act
A return to the gold standard would counter federal inflation of the dollar, and the bill would have established a system for state and political subdivisions to make and receive payment using an electronic gold currency for specified transactions. The bill would have additionally provided standards for a designated gold currency payment provider. Though it was defeated in committee, it could help set the stage for a national debate as Obamaflation bankrupts the country and expands the economic crisis. Six states have now introduced similar legislation.
Summary: why we should follow the Constitution and use legal money
Further reading: Roger Sherman's A Caveat Against Injustice
Other Key Bills to Watch in the Legislature
SB09-108 - "You pay" for "FASTER"
Senator Romer's bill would impose a road safety surcharge and a daily vehicle rental fee, while also converting existing paid-for roads into toll-roads. Additionally, the bill will also impose a supplemental oversize, overweight, and longer vehicle combination surcharge. The bill also contains a large increase the fines for late motor vehicle registration. The bill passed out of the Senate on a party-line vote with no Republican amendments, and it is now ready to be voted on in the House after passing out of the House Transportation and Energy Committee, as well as the Appropriations Committee.
SB09-88 - "You pay" for Domestic Partnerships
The bill would make a state employees domestic partner eligible for coverage under the states group benefits plan, and it is tightly written to benefit homosexual couples only. Worse, the coverage provided at taxpayer expense. This bill also passed out of the Senate on a party-line vote, and it will now be brought before the House.
SB09-170 - "You pay" In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens
Seeks to provide in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and children of illegal immigrants and would also allow for the provision of state-funded tuition assistance, regardless of immigration status. It has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee.
HB09-1115 - Photo ID for voting purposes
Sought to require a valid photo ID when voting, with any government-issued photo ID deemed sufficient. The bill was killed in the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee.
HB09-1146 - Valid ID for Voter Registration
HB-1146 would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote, allowing for any document or proof of method of citizenship established by a federal immigration law. The bill was killed in State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee on a party-line vote.
Republican Study Committee of Colorado
(Left to right) Sen. Dave Schultheis, Sen. Kevin Lundberg, and Kent Lambert in a working group to finalize new revisions to the Declaration of Principles of the Republican Study Committee of Colorado. University of Colorado academic hiring and tenure policy, the status of illegal immigration bills, and upcoming plans for hearings on primary and secondary education were also discussed.
RSCC Declaration of Principles
I have declared my dedication to the principles of limited and Constitutional role for civil government, a strong national defense, the protection of individual and property rights, and the preservation of traditional family values.
Representative Kent Lambert
Individual liberty
Personal responsibility
Limited government
Rule of law
Sanctity of life
Legal immigration
Free markets and commerce
Lower taxes
Family integrity and the American moral tradition
Quality education through choice
Free-market conservation
Increase private-sector healthcare
I am working to support core Republican principles and to apply those principles through a strong Republican organization in the General Assembly. My experience as Executive Director of the Republican Study Committee of Colorado (RSCC) demonstrates my commitment to that goal, and my ability to make it work. I helped write the RSCC Declaration of Principles, and I follow those principles to guide my votes as a State Representative.
Stimulus Protest
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Boy Scout Centennial License Plate signed into law
June 6, 2008
Authorization for a commorative license plate honoring the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, sponsored by Representative and Eagle Scout Kent Lambert, was signed into law today by Governor Bill Ritter.
HB-1151 was co-sponsored by Eagle Scout Representative Terrance Carroll of Denver, Eagle Scouts Senator Dave Schultheis and Representative Larry Liston of Colorado Springs, and many other legislators.
The Boy Scouts of America was founded on February 8, 1910, by William Boyce, a Chicago publisher, following the model of the British Scouts started by Lord Robert Baden-Powell a few years earlier.
Since 1910, more than 111 million young people have joined Scouting organizations. As of December 31, 2006, Boy Scout program membership included: 1,167,102 Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venture Scouts (which includes both young men and young women); 1,701,861 Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts; and almost 1.2 million adult volunteers, all organized as 121,530 Packs, Troops and Teams.
Representative Lambert was awarded the Eagle Scout Award in 1970 just after he joined the Air Force Academy. It was presented to him by the Academy Commandant of Cadets, Brig. Gen. Robin Olds. He later started an American Boy Scout troop at the American Embassy in Amman, Jordan, and served as Scoutmaster for about 20 boys.
Two Kent Lambert-sponsored Referenda now in the Colorado Constitution
Denver, November, 2008
Two House Concurrent Resolutions sponsored by Kent Lambert and Senator David Schultheis, were approved by voters on the November 4 ballot.
Constitutional referenda require approval by two-thirds of members in both houses of the General Assembly, which is relatively rare. The two-year long 66th Colorado General Assembly produced only four referred measures for the 2008 ballot. Both of the Lambert/Schultheis measures received 99 of 100 possible votes.
The referenda are designed to selectively remove obsolete language from the Constitution. HCR08-1008 removes language from the original 1876 Colorado Constitution and from the Prohibition Era concerning "spurious, poisonous, or drugged spiritous liquors," which protected Coloradoans before the days of the Federal Food and Drug Administration and a variety of other federal and state laws.
HCR08-1009 removes an obsolete and superseded provision that allowed a tax waiver for "arborial planting" of "hedges, orchards, and forests" on private land. Research indicated that since 1876 that waiver had never been used.
In response to the opinion of many that the Constitution was getting too long, these were two of several sections of the Constitution that were originally identified by Representative Douglas Bruce as good candidates for removal.
The two measures appeared on the November 4 ballot as "Referendum M" and "Referendum N", and were passed by a majority of the voters.
 |
Lambert Emergency Volunteer Protection Act Signed into Law
Denver, April 24, 2008
HB08-1097, sponsored by Representative Kent Lambert and Senator Chris Romer, was signed into law today. It will protect Civil Air Patrol members and other state volunteers from losing their jobs during declared emergencies. During times of emergency, the state and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rely more and more on trained, but unpaid, volunteers to respond during federal, state-wide, or local disasters or terrorist incidents.
HB08-1097 will extend the same job protections to members of the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxilary, as currently protect members of the National Guard during emergencies or disasters at the request of the Governor, the U.S. Air Force, or the Colorado Division of Emergency Management.
Representative Lambert also worked with the Division of Emergency Management to amend the bill to extend job protections to other essential volunteers throughout the state.
Representative Lambert is the Commander of the Capitol Squadron of the Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
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