First hearings for housing payments, money for folks leaving jail and different points on the Colorado legislature this week

It’s Colorado Legislature 101 on the State Capitol this week — as in, Monday marks 101 days left within the 120-day legislative session — and among the marquee payments are formally beginning their journeys via committees.

Not that the constructing has been idle the primary few weeks of the session. Home Republicans have picked a brand new chief after Rep. Mike Lynch resigned within the fallout of stories about his 2022 drunken driving arrest. A invoice to repeal and substitute a rise within the state’s match of the federal Earned Revenue Tax Credit score, a regulation initially handed throughout November’s particular session however which got here below authorized problem, has additionally cleared each chambers on largely party-line votes within the Democrat-controlled constructing.

Right here’s what to anticipate on the Capitol this week:

Money for ex-offenders who be part of workforce coaching

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday afternoon could have its say on a invoice, SB24-12, that will enable the state to maneuver ahead with a pilot program that offers folks leaving jail as much as $3,000 in the event that they enroll in and take part in workforce growth packages. That proposal garnered nationwide consideration quickly after its introduction, with advocates arguing the cash would assist decrease the recidivism fee by serving to folks get on their toes, and would incentivize folks to get secure jobs.

Second swings at housing payments start

Lawmakers and Gov. Jared Polis promised to place their shoulders right into a renewed push for housing coverage reform this yr after a number of associated measures died on the finish of the 2023 session. A number of of these payments will get their first public hearings:

• HB24-1098, unveiled final week by Democratic leaders and housing advocates, is due within the Home Transportation, Housing & Native Authorities Committee on Tuesday. It could require landlords to indicate trigger earlier than evicting tenants and, in essence, would give tenants the correct of first refusal for lease renewal, with some exceptions.
• On Tuesday, the identical Home committee will hear one other repeat invoice, HB24-1007, which might cease arbitrary occupancy limits from being enacted or enforced by municipalities. As a substitute, any occupancy restrict would have to be tied to the sq. footage of the domicile and be obligatory for well being, security and welfare causes.
• The Home transportation and housing committee is ready to listen to HB24-1057, which might cease leasing firms from utilizing algorithmic units to set rents, on Wednesday. The proposal is led by Rep. Steve Woodrow, a Denver Democrat. A 2022 ProPublica investigation discovered many landlords had been utilizing knowledge analytics to extend rents to the best ranges the market would bear.

Elected officers’ pay

The Home State, Civic, Army, & Veterans Affairs Committee on Thursday is ready to listen to HB24-1059, which might create an unbiased fee to review pay for elected officers within the state.