In this Capitol Report:
What We’re Watching: HB 1118, the “Fair Workweek” Bill
House Bill 1118, the so-called “Fair Workweek” bill, is up in its first committee hearing TODAY. This legislation is one of the worst we’ve seen for Colorado businesses in years. It imposes broad new regulations on how businesses manage employee workweek schedules and would have serious consequences for both employers and their employees. Read the Colorado Chamber’s recent op-ed explaining how the bill would further deteriorate our state’s economic competitiveness.
The Colorado Chamber has organized a large coalition of more than 65 business groups against the bill – in the last week, Chamber members have sent the House Business Affairs Committee more than 2000 emails asking for a NO vote.
There’s still time to express your opposition to HB 1118 today, February 16th! The bill is being heard in committee as we speak and is expected to go into the evening before a vote. Click here to ask the committee to OPPOSE this bill.
You can listen to the live committee hearing here. The Colorado Chamber’s Meghan Dollar will be testifying against the bill on behalf of the chamber.
Labor & Employment Council Takes Positions on Several New Legislative Proposals
This week, the Colorado Chamber’s Labor & Employment Council had a very busy agenda and heard from Senator Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) who is the Chair of the Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee as well as the Assistant Majority Leader for the State Senate. Senator Rodriguez shared his goals for the 2023 Legislative Session as Chair of the Committee as well as his collaboration with the committee members that represent both political parties. He also discussed some of the legislation that the Colorado Chamber is actively engaged on this legislative session.
The Council also discussed several pieces of legislation and took positions during the Council meeting that are outlined below. The Council does not take positions on bills that are not yet formally introduced.
HB 1118 – Fair Workweek Employment Standards [Opposed]
HB 1078 – Unemployment Compensation Dependent Allowance [Opposed]
HB 1192 – Additional Protections in Consumer Code [Amend]
HB 1032 – Remedies for Persons with Disabilities [Amend]
SB 105 – Ensure Equal Pay for Equal Work [Opposed]
SB 058 – Job Application Fairness Act [Amend]
Not yet introduced: 2023 Draft of Workplace Harassment Legislation
Not yet introduced: Workers’ Compensation Removing Impairment Schedule
Please contact Meghan Dollar at [email protected] or Larry Hudson at [email protected] with any questions regarding the Council or the above legislation.
In the News: Colorado Chamber Press Roundup
Out There Colorado: Colorado Chamber establishes Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Task Force
In an effort to find common ground between regulations that support environmental sustainability versus business success, the Colorado Chamber of Commerce recently started the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Task Force.
Biz West: Estes chamber opposes Fair Workweek Employment Standards bill
The executive committee of the Estes Chamber of Commerce has voted to join the Colorado Chamber of Commerce in opposing state House Bill 1118, the “Fair Workweek Employment Standards” bill.
Post Independent: Glenwood Springs Chamber opposes house bill that would require employers to post employee work schedules further ahead of time
The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association is joining a coalition opposing a house bill that they argue will put unreasonable strains on both employees and employers, the organization announced in a Wednesday news release. announced in a chamber news update Wednesday that they were joining a coalition to oppose a house bill that will put unreasonable strains on both employees and employers.