But more obstacles lie ahead. Today, Charlotte Jackson, assigned to the legislative bill room at the state capitol, confirms that the House rejected the changes to HB 1284 made by the Senate on its third reading of the measure. Now, a special committee must be formed to work out the differences between versions from the two chambers by midnight tomorrow, when the session ends.
The likeliest sticking point? The portion of the bill that allows the addresses of marijuana-grow operations to be kept secret.
The Senate journal from May 6, when the third reading took place, contains a listing of the third-reading amendments to HB 1284. They're on pages 22-24 of the document, listed as pages 1268-1270. Here are the pertinent sections:
THIRD READING OF BILLS -- FINAL PASSAGEOn third reading, the title of the following bill was publicly read, the reading at length having been dispensed with by unanimous consent:
HB10-1284 by Representative(s) Massey and Summers, McCann, Rice; also Senator(s) Romer and Spence -- Concerning regulation of medical marijuana, and making an appropriation therefore.
A majority of those elected to the Senate having voted in the affirmative, Senator Steadman was given permission to offer a third reading amendment.
Third Reading Amendment No. 1(L.177), by Senator Steadman.
Amend revised bill, page 34, strike line 7 and substitute:
"(14) THE LOCATION OF AN".
Page 34, line 9, after the first "BE" insert "A" and strike "RECORDS" and substitute "RECORD".
Page 34, line 12, strike "CONFIDENTIAL." and substitute "CONFIDENTIAL AND SHALL REDACT THE LOCATION FROM ALL PUBLIC RECORDS."
Page 34, line 14, strike "LICENSURE AND".
The amendment was passed on the following roll call vote:
YES 35 NO 0 EXCUSED 0 ABSENT 0
A majority of those elected to the Senate having voted in the affirmative, Senator Romer was given permission to offer a third reading amendment.
Third Reading Amendment No. 2(L.179), by Senator Romer.
Amend revised bill, page 55, line 11, strike "Sunrise" and substitute "Sunset".
Page 57, strike lines 20 through 22.
Page 64, line 10, strike "PERSON" and substitute "PRIMARY CAREGIVER".
Page 64, line 11, strike "PERSON" and substitute "PRIMARY CAREGIVER".
Page 64, line 13, strike the first "PERSON" and substitute "PRIMARY CAREGIVER", and strike the second "PERSON" and substitute "PRIMARY CAREGIVER".
Page 73, after line 24 insert: "SECTION 14. Part 7 of article 26 of title 39, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:
39-26-726. Medical marijuana - debilitating conditions and ability to purchase. ALL SALES OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO A PATIENT WHO IS DETERMINED TO BE INDIGENT FOR PURPOSES OF WAIVING THE FEE REQUIRED BY SECTION 25-1.5-106, C.R.S. SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM TAXATION UNDER PART 1 OF THIS ARTICLE. IF THE PATIENT IS DETERMINED TO BE INDIGENT THE STATE HEALTH AGENCY SHALL MARK HIS OR HER REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARD AS SUCH AND THE PATIENT SHALL PRESENT THE CARD TO THE LICENSED MEDICAL MARIJUANA CENTER TO RECEIVE THE TAX EXEMPTION.".
Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.
Page 77, line 11, strike "13" and substitute "15".
Page 77, line 14, strike "14" and substitute "16".
The amendment was passed on the following roll call vote:
The question being "Shall the bill, as amended, pass?", the roll call was taken with the 12 following result:
YES 26 NO 9 EXCUSED 0 ABSENT 0
Does this roadblock mean the bill is dead? Not necessarily. Jackson notes that plenty of measures that required the formation of eleventh-hour conference committees have ultimately moved forward. But there's no guarantee.
