This week, the Colorado Chamber Government Affairs Council, Legal Reform Alliance and Technology Alliance met to review current legislation affecting the business community and update bill positions. As the session progresses, several bills the Chamber has been tracking have been successfully amended leading to shifts in our positions.
The Colorado Chamber took positions on the following bills:
Government Affairs Council Positions:
HB 1010: Oppose to Amend
The bill makes price gouging of necessities an unfair and unconscionable act under Colorado’s consumer protection laws, allowing enforcement by the Attorney General or district attorneys. It also expands the definition of necessities to include goods and services necessary for public health, safety and welfare.
The Chamber has moved to an “amend” position after amendments to the bill were added that require an emergency declaration from the governor for the price gouging protections to take effect. This change significantly limits the applicability of the law and the Chamber will continue to seek amendments to improve the bill.
HB 1090: Oppose to Amend
The bill requires sellers of goods, services or properties to clearly disclose the total price that a person may pay, including all fees and charges. Additionally, restaurants, bars and other food services establishments must describe any mandatory service charges added to a person’s bill. The bill was successfully amended to remove the private right of action, but the Chamber would like to see further amendments regarding the scope of industries impacted.
Technology Alliance Positions:
HB 1090: Oppose to Amend
The bill requires sellers of goods, services or properties to clearly disclose the total price that a person may pay, including all fees and charges. Additionally, restaurants, bars and other food services establishments must describe any mandatory service charges added to a person’s bill. The bill was successfully amended to remove the private right of action, but the Chamber would like to see further amendments regarding the scope of industries impacted.
HB 1287: Oppose
The bill requires social media companies to identify minor users and provide safety tools like disabling recommendations, limiting usage and reporting issues. It mandates parental controls for managing settings, monitoring activity, restricting purchases and deleting data. Violations are classified as deceptive trade practices. The Technology Alliance has concerns about the bill’s overreaching nature and the challenges of implementation as it could make it difficult for companies to comply with the law and operate in Colorado.
SB 70: Amend to Monitor
The bill requires online marketplaces to report if they know that a third-party seller is selling stolen goods and mandates the marketplace to have systems in place to monitor listings and prevent organized retail crime. The bill has been amended to address the Alliance’s concerns, and the Chamber will continue to monitor the legislation.