Legislative Policy Committee

Overview

Acting on a grant of authority from the Colorado Bar Association (CBA) Board of Governors, the Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) is charged with determining CBA positions on matters before the Colorado General Assembly. During the Colorado legislative session, the LPC meets weekly on Tuesdays at 12pm. All members of CBA are welcome to attend.

Authority & Communication of Legislative Decisions

Section or committee legislative positions go into effect after official LPC authorization.

Sections or committees are only authorized permitted to speak on behalf of the section or the CBA with prior LPC authorization.

Process for Legislative Review

Each Section must review relevant legislation for impact.

When bills are made available from the legislature, they are reviewed for policy or legal impact on the CBA. In order to most effectively participate in the legislative process, the sections and committees must be prepared to respond to a bill as soon as possible. Sections and committees should respond to a bill request whether it is support, oppose, amend or take no position.

The LPC generally meets weekly at the CBA offices to review these requests. Representatives of the section or committee are required to attend the meetings to inform the LPC as to the pros and cons of the proposed position and any opposition, either known or potential. The LPC will then review the proposed position and take a position. After the LPC authorizes a position, the director of legislative relations will then coordinate testimony and lobbying with the section chair and/or legislative liaison.

The mechanics of how the LPC operates must remain flexible, but the following guidelines should inform and guide the way the LPC conducts business.

Taking Positions on Federal Legislation

No section or committee may take positions on federal legislation or issues unless the position has been approved as a Colorado Bar Association position. In order to become a CBA position, the LPC, the Executive Council or Board must approve the position. In emergency situations, the president, acting with the advice of the immediate past president and president-elect, may authorize a CBA position. Sections and committees may serve as a resource or provide technical information on either state or federal issues only if they have approval of the president or the executive director, and they make it clear that they are not advocating a CBA position.