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Press Release - Five Bills Signed into Law

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BILL RITTER, JR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009

 

CONTACT:

Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us

 

GOV. RITTER SIGNS FIVE BILLS INTO LAW TODAY

 

Gov. Bill Ritter signed five bills into law today, including legislation that will improve blood donations statewide and help local communities prevent and prepare for wildfires.

 

The bills signed today:

  • House Bill 1004 (Apuan/Boyd), PACE Organizations Employ Physicians
  • House Bill 1023 (Gagliardi & Swalm/Boyd), Blood Donations by Minors
  • House Bill 1078 (Ryden/Hodge), Foster Parent Training
  • House Bill 1090 (Rice/Williams), Deaf Interpreters Title Unauthorized Use
  • Senate Bill 1 (Gibbs & Penry /Scanlan & King), Community Wildfire Protection Plans

 

"I'm thankful for everyone who worked together on this important legislation," Rep. Sara Gagliardi said about HB 1023. "As a nurse, I know how absolutely critical it is to have a sufficient blood supply at all times. With Gov. Ritter's signature, eligible 16-year-olds will now be allowed to donate blood and help others whose very lives depend upon it. The activism of these students and young people has been outstanding."

 

Sen. Dan Gibbs and Rep. Christine Scanlan sponsored SB 1, which supports communities in preventing and preparing for wildfires.

 

"As a wildland firefighter I know how important community prevention plans are in terms of public safety for the citizens of Colorado," Sen. Gibbs said. "I'm pleased that Gov. Ritter signed this bill today and that it soon will be in place to help communities when wildfires strike. It will help communities prioritize, prevent, and prepare for wildfires in their area.  With 2 million acres of dead lodge-pole pine and about 1 million Coloradans living in the wildland urban interface, SB 1 will bring the tools, resources and assistance to help people prepare for the worst."

 

"Having a preparedness plan ready to go before firefighters hit the ground to battle a wildfire will help tremendously in emergency situations," Rep. Scanlan said. "Colorado has more than 22 million acres of forested land, and with the threat of fire due to the dead lodge-pole pine, we need to take these steps now to protect our natural habitat and Coloradans who are living within the wildland urban interface."

 

Click here for a list of Gov. Ritter's legislative action this session.