Gov. Jared Polis’ office announced late Friday night that the governor had rejected six bills, including measures addressing employee discipline, construction wages and the treatment of energy generated from burning solid waste.
This is the governor’s first veto of a bill passed in this year’s legislative session, with lawmakers sending more than 500 of the 705 bills filed to Polis’ desk. As for Friday night, Polis was still working on more than 300 bills that required his action.
One of the vetoed bills concerned wage claims in the construction industry. House Bill 1008 It would have held the general contractor responsible for wage claims by workers for wages allegedly owed by subcontractors.
Polis said in a statement that he agrees to protect workers’ rights to wages.
“However, this bill would penalize subcontractors who fail to pay their workers, do little to prevent additional wage theft, and discourage good businesses that pay all workers on time.” We will impose penalties,” the governor said. “This bill (similar to the City and County of Denver law) would open wage theft investigations to subcontractors by starting them with offending subcontractors and placing liability on general contractors who did not insist on proceeding their own way. It distorts the incentives for businesses to pay workers.
Police also exercised their veto power. House Bill 1010This would regulate the conduct of health insurance companies under certain circumstances regarding compound drugs administered in a health care provider’s office. This practice is known as “white bagging,” and typically involves instructing patients to use in-network specialty pharmacies to receive coverage.
“While I appreciate the thoughtful efforts to narrow the bill’s scope, the high and rising cost of prescription drugs means that this bill will benefit Colorado and its people,” Polis said in his veto letter. “We’re concerned that it takes away an important way to negotiate cost savings.” Your family’s insurance premiums may increase. ”
The governor also refused House Bill 1080Sponsors said it aims to improve safety for young athletes. Polis said the bill is inconsistent with Senate Bill 113 and is glad it passed. Polis said HB 1080 places “unrealistic and counterproductive expectations and unreasonable burdens on coaches and chaperones,” noting that many of those filling these positions are volunteers or family members. pointed out.
Additionally, Polis called HB 1080 an unfunded mandate.
The governor also refused HB-1260This allows an employer to discipline, fire, or take adverse employment action against an employee because the employee refuses to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting on religious or political issues. There was supposed to be a state law that says people can’t make threats.
Polis argued that the bill’s definitions of “political matters” and “religious matters” were too broad and “unworkable” and would have unintended consequences for both employers and employees. .
“Although this bill contains certain limited exceptions, even those exceptions are disruptive and do not meet the day-to-day business needs of employers,” Polis wrote in his veto letter. I am concerned that this is insufficient.”
The governor also vetoed a bill that its sponsors said would improve air conditioning systems in public schools.meanwhile House Bill 1307 Polis said the measure has additional requirements beyond federal regulations to provide students the opportunity to attend school in a healthy and safe environment.
“This bill has the laudable purpose of making Colorado’s applications for federal HVAC funds more competitive and ensuring strong labor standards, but unfortunately it creates obstacles for school districts.” Polis said in his veto letter, adding: The bill could particularly discourage rural districts from applying for grants.
And by exercising the right of veto Senate Bill 150Polis said the bill, as originally filed, would make several “promising” improvements to aviation fuel, which is “an important tool for achieving global climate change goals by reducing net emissions from the aviation sector.” “Many production routes will be suspended,” he said.
SB 150 states that syngas produced by the combustion of solid waste is not an eligible energy resource for purposes of certain state-level renewable energy standards, and that methane from solid waste is not a “clean” thermal resource. I would declare that no.
“The General Assembly’s role is to create incentives that target specific industries, regions, and occupations with the goal of generating economic growth,” Polis said in his veto letter. “Banning certain technologies along these lines sets a harmful precedent and stifles potential innovation.”
