Title
Consideration of Request for Veto of HB21-1314
Body
Summary & Background: HB21-1314, as recently approved by the Colorado General Assembly, restricts the State Department of Revenue from suspending, canceling, revoking, denying, or denying renewals of driver's licenses or similar cards in certain circumstances. If signed into law, the bill will cancel an important avenue for municipalities to ensure that persons appear in court or, if found guilty of traffic violations and violations of criminal municipal ordinances, that they comply with the sentence imposed by the municipal court. In addition to inhibiting the power of local governments to enforce law, the bill appropriates funds to the State Department of Revenue to account for lost revenue, but fails to account for revenue lost by local governments that offsets law enforcement costs.
Bill proponents and others supporting the concept have indicated that the connection between driver's licenses and municipal courts disproportionately impacts lower-income persons, results in further penalties for driving without a license and costs of enforcement, does not materially affect revenue, and leads to driving without licensure and insurance.
Reference:
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb21-1314
Staff Member Presenting: City Manager's Office; City Attorney
Recommended Motion: I move to authorize the Mayor to sign and issue the veto request letter regarding HB21-1314.