The 2016 legislative session adjourned on Wednesday, May 11, 2016. During the 2016 legislative session, Republicans controlled the Senate by one, razor-thin vote, while Democrats controlled the House by two, very precious votes. This split legislature created a legislative session that saw both political parties, once again, appeal to their electoral bases and introduce a series of “messaging bills” centering on certain issues such as abortion, gun rights, illegal immigration, employee wages and benefits, gender equality, corporate malfeasance, and TABOR (the Taxpayer Bill of Rights) reforms. The fate of most of these bills was predetermined due to the existence of a split legislature. However, these bills were still introduced because the outcome of just a handful of seats during the upcoming general election will decide which party controls the House and Senate during the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions, causing control of both the House and Senate to be up for grabs.
Please view the complete reports below: