SB 17-079

Senate Bill 17-079, which has been signed into law, aims to protect laws that Colorado voters pass directly through initiatives. For any new voter-approved laws enacted after the 2016 election, the bill prevents the state legislature from changing, overturning, or replacing these laws for three years unless two-thirds of both houses of the legislature vote in favor of such changes. This means that once a voter initiative becomes law, it is safeguarded against legislative alterations for at least three years to ensure the voters' intentions are upheld.

Official Summary

The state constitution does not limit the general assembly's ability to amend, repeal, or otherwise supersede a statutory law initiated by the voters and specifies that bills will not become law unless approved by a majority vote of all members elected to each house. The bill states that it is the intent of the general assembly that it will not amend, repeal, or otherwise supersede an initiated law in the Colorado revised statutes that was approved at an election after the 2016 general election for a period of 3 years from the date the law takes effect unless such amendment, repeal, or supersession is approved by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Votes