Colorado NDAA Nullification Bill Passes House Committee, 7-4

Today, the Colorado State House Committee on State, Veterans and Military Affairs took up HB13-1045, which was introduced by Representative Jared Wright. After some sharp discussion and debate, the committee approved the bill in a bipartisan vote. Four republicans joined three democrats in voting yes and the final tally was 7-4.

The bill will now move on to the next step, a floor debate and vote in the full Colorado State House. Residents of Colorado are strongly encouraged to take action to help this bill keep moving forward. (details below)

HB13-1045 prohibits any agent or agency of the state from participating in or supporting the indefinite detention provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (NDAA) which are still held to be the law by the federal government, even though such powers are nowhere authorized in the Constitution.

Representative Wright said that 1045 was a “top priority to introduce this bill to defend liberty.” He continued, “Congress has overstepped its bounds. For any citizen in Colorado that could be arrested by any federal agency or military and held under military law where rights and due process are suspended is wrong.”

Representative Wright is a former police officer and said that law enforcement “taught him that police officers have a great deal of power to take away someone’s liberties, and that power should always be held in check. This is why the Bill of Rights was created. I took my oath seriously as a police officer to not take anyone’s rights away.” He further stated, “I don’t want to see anyone subjected to NDAA.”

The final vote on HB13-1045 today was as follows:

YES VOTES:
Joe Salazar, Vice-Chair (D,HD31, Adams Co) (303) 866-2918
Tim Dore (R,HD64, SE Colorado) (303) 866-2398
Steve Humphrey (R,HD48 Weld Co) (303) 866-2943
Jeanne Labuda (D,HD1, Denver) (303) 866-2966
Dominick Moreno (D, HD32, Adams Co) (303) 866-2964
Dan Nordberg (R, HD14, El Paso) (303) 866-2965
Ray Scott (R,HD55, Mesa Co) (303) 866-3068

NO VOTES:
Su Ryden, Chair (D,HD36, Arapahoe Co ) (303) 866-2942
Mike Foote (D,HD12, Boulder Co) (303) 866-2920
Jovan Melton (D, HD41, Arapahoe Co) (303) 866-2919
Angela Williams (D,HD7, Denver) (303) 866-2909

ACTION ITEMS for Colorado

1. Contact your state representative. Strongly, but respectfully, urge him or her to vote YES on HB13-1045. Let them know that “indefinite detention” – arrest without due process – is a serious violation of your rights and you will accept nothing less than a YES vote on HB13-1045.

Find your legislator’s contact information here:
http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2013A/csl.nsf/Directory?openFrameset

2. Encourage your local community to take action as well. Present the Liberty Preservation Act to your city county, your town council, or your county commissioners. Various local governments around the country are already passing similar resolutions and ordinances. Local legislative action present a great way to strengthen a statewide campaign against NDAA indefinite detention.

Model legislation here:
http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/ndaa

3. If you’re on Facebook, join the Nullify NDAA group. Get in touch with others working on this issue. Let them know what kind of feedback you’re getting on calls and emails. And work together for liberty!
http://www.facebook.com/groups/nullifyndaacolorado

4. Share this information widely. Please pass this along to your friends and family. Also share it with any and all grassroots groups you’re in contact with around the state. Please encourage them to email this information to their members and supporters.

LEGISLATION AND TRACKING

If you live anywhere outside of Colorado, please contact your own legislators regarding anti-NDAA legislation. If none has been introduced in your state, you can email them The Liberty Preservation Act model legislation.

Track the status of NDAA nullification in states around the country HERE

BACKGROUND ARTICLES AND INFORMATION ON NDAA “INDEFINITE DETENTION”

NDAA: Open Season for the Police State

Scary Potential in Sections 1021 and 1022

Note: while some believe that the 2013 NDAA eliminated indefinite detention, it does not.  Dianne Feinstein introduced a very weak amendment to 2013 – and it failed anyway.  2012 indefinite detention provisions remain in tact – and the Obama administration is aggressively defending them in court.