Second attempt, same outcome: Civil-union bill fails again

On the first day of the General Assembly?s special session, a proposal to allow civil unions between two people including same sex couples was defeated on a party-line vote today by the GOP-led House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee. However, the much-debated proposal?whose failure to pass the House during the regular legislative session prompted the governor to reconvene lawmakers this week?was not postponed indefinitely as most failing measures are.

Without that technical motion, the measure could be resurrected since the only motion that failed was to send it to the House Finance Committee.? Yet, with just three days allotted for the special session,? it is unlikely the bill could make it all the way through the process in time .

Rep. Lois Court, D-Denver, who had asked fellow lawmakers not to deliver the final, procedural blow to House Bill S-1006, said the lack of a motion to postpone the bill indefinitely was only symbolic and a courtesy to minority Democrats who supported the bill throughout the measure?s high profile journey in the last days of the regular session.

?There was no need to heap that extra indignity upon it,? Court said.

The committee chair, Rep. Jim Kerr, R-Littleton, said he was hoping to calm an ?emotionally charged? hearing.

?I made the decision as a courtesy to the people in the room,? said Kerr. ?I wanted people ? to have the chance to catch up and reflect on the decision we made.?

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