Weld legislators' average: B+

Thanks largely to last fall's passage of Referendum C, the 2006 legislative session was a relative relief. The budget ax remained safely sheathed, while state programs were able to let out the proverbial girdle they've been forced to endure over the past few years.

In addition to helping ease the state's funding problems, state lawmakers had a busy and productive spring, crafting laws that will change how Colorado treats smokers, illegal immigrants, identity thieves and, possibly, same-sex couples.

Some bills that had wide public support failed to pass, while Gov. Bill Owens wielded his veto over several others.

Here, the Tribune grades the 2006 General Assembly's accomplishments.

« Local legislators kept busy this session, especially Rep. Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley. He carried 17 bills this session -- the average is 10 -- and many of them will become law this summer. Thanks to Riesberg, Colorado is the first state to create an Amber Alert system for senior citizens who go missing, identity theft is now a felony and the bioscience industry, which could inject some real momentum into Colorado's economy, has a $2 million incentive to foster business here. Riesberg: A+

Rep. Dale Hall, R-Greeley, carried two bills that will protect consumers and public safety. One prohibits title entities from getting kickbacks for referring consumers to settlement producers,such as homebuilders, real estate agents, mortgage brokers and lenders. Another allows agents with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to assist local law enforcement. Hall: A

Sen. Dave Owen, R-Greeley, authored a bill that toughens state law regarding ownership of dogs that bite and injure people. We were pleased to see him take on an issue that has been of prime importance in Weld County. Most of his other attention was focused on budget issues, as a member of the Joint Budget Committee. Owen: B

Rep. Kevin Lundberg, R-Loveland, whose district includes Windsor, was honored in April by the Christian Home Educators of Colorado for his support of home-school programs. He sponsored bills that would have provided income tax exemptions for military personnel and reformed Medicaid, but those measures didn't pass. Lundberg: B-

« Voters will decide on the Colorado Domestic Partnership Benefits and Responsibilities Act at the polls in November. House Bill 1344 asks voters whether same-sex couples could be allowed to register domestic partnerships, which would give them some of the same legal rights as married couples. Those rights include the ability to inherit property, make medical decisions for their partners and jointly adopt a child.

While some advocates for gay rights hoped for a more wide-ranging bill or marriage legislation, this bill is still an important step in giving gay and lesbian couples the domestic rights. Grade: B

« Employees and customers in businesses, restaurants and bars across the state will breathe easier come July 1, when the new statewide smoking ban takes effect. We have backed the spirit of such a measure ever since Greeley voters OK'd a smoking ban for the city in November 2003. This is a public health issue, which takes precedence over business and personal rights. While we are disappointed with the law's many exemptions -- casinos; cigar bars and smoke shops; some small businesses; family farms and Denver International Airport's smoking lounge -- we are delighted lawmakers rose above big-money interests to protect the health of all Coloradans. Grade: A+

« Victims of sexual abuse, especially child victims, need all the help they can get to recover. The state needs a law that would extend or eliminate current statutes of limitation for claims against people who assault children, or against the institutions that harbor the criminals.

Two bills that failed this session would have allowed for prosecution of sex crimes against children without time limits. Another bill, which also failed, would have opened a two-year window for victims to file civil lawsuits against their attackers.

As the law stands now, a sexual assault victim has until the age of 28 to level criminal charges against a suspect. In civil cases, the victim has six years to file a lawsuit after his or her injury and the cause are legally determined.

We are disappointed the legislature could not reach an accord that would protect victims, ensure they receive justice, and include a level playing field that would involve all institutions, not just singling out nonprofit organizations and churches. Grade: F

« We are equally disappointed that lawmakers could not muster the votes to pass a statewide primary seat-belt law, which would allow law enforcement officers to ticket motorists who don't buckle up without consideration of other offenses. Fatal crashes in Weld have decreased in the past two years, but we've also seen several examples of drivers and passengers who are saved because of their seat belts. Grade: F