Ballot Title Setting Board
2009-2010

The title as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:

An amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning plain language in state laws, rules, and regulations, and, in connection therewith, voiding in its entirety any exercise of the legislative power of the state that occurs after December 31, 2010, unless every law, rule, or regulation that it changes, creates, or extends is expressed entirely in plain language; defining “plain language” as language that is worded with simplicity and clarity and that an average high school graduate can read and understand without confusion or doubt about the correct meaning; and authorizing a person subject to a law, rule, or regulation that is not expressed entirely in plain language to sue in any district court to enforce the plain language requirement and, if successful, receive an award of costs and reasonable attorney fees paid by the state.

The ballot title and submission clause as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning plain language in state laws, rules, and regulations, and, in connection therewith, voiding in its entirety any exercise of the legislative power of the state that occurs after  December 31, 2010, unless every law, rule, or regulation that it changes, creates, or extends is expressed entirely in plain language; defining “plain language” as language that is worded with simplicity and clarity and that an average high school graduate can read and understand without confusion or doubt about the correct meaning; and authorizing a person subject to a law, rule, or regulation that is not expressed entirely in plain language to sue in any district court to enforce the plain language requirement and, if successful, receive an award of costs and reasonable attorney fees paid by the state?

Hearing February 3, 2010

Single subject approved; staff draft amended; titles set.
Hearing adjourned 3:27 p.m.

* Unofficially captioned “Plain Language Law” by legislative staff for tracking purposes. Such caption is not part of the titles set by the Board.