The special legislative committee investigating an ethics complaint against homebuilders lobbyist William Mutch has asked House Speaker Andrew Romanoff to testify today.

Panel co-chairwoman Sen. Stephanie Takis, D-Aurora, said that today's meeting may be the last for witnesses but that the committee probably will have to have another meeting or two before it can recommend whether legislative leaders should take action against Mutch.

Mutch, a lobbyist for Colorado Concern, is accused of orchestrating robo-calls that falsely claimed lawmakers were considering a tax hike on homes.

It is legal for groups to run ads about legislation and lawmakers, but a legislative rule prohibits lobbyists from attempting to influence lawmakers "by means of deceit" or threats.

On Thursday, Mutch's counterpart from the Colorado Association of Homebuilders testified before the committee, presenting e-mails and other communication that he said showed he disapproved of the calls and consequently quit working with Mutch on the effort.

House passes online education bill

The House passed a bill to regulate online education, but not before one more heated debate.

A last-minute amendment watered down Senate Bill 215 by allowing cyberschools to get waivers from the State Board of Education on the new regulations.

Rep. Randy Fischer, D-Fort Collins, said he would "hold my nose" and vote for the amendment because it was the only way the bill would pass.

But bill sponsor Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, balked at criticism that the bill is weak.

The measure sets up a four-person online division in the Colorado Department of Education and charges it with creating quality standards for online programs.

It passed 45-19 and now returns to the Senate.

Lifting threshold for felonies gains

A proposal to raise the threshold for felony crimes to cut down on prison costs was approved by the House.

Senate Bill 260 would save the state an estimated $524,000 in 2008 and $1.1 million in 2009.

The bill raises the felony threshold for the value of stolen property. For example, a person would have to steal $1,000 - not $500 - in food or lodging to raise the crime to a felony.

Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park, likened the bill to adjusting crimes for inflation. The thresholds have not been adjusted for several years, he said.

The bill needs final approval from the House before going to the governor.

A proposal to remove the mandate that prisoners convicted of escape serve their sentences consecutively instead of concurrently was stricken from the bill after major objections.

Various bills sent to governor

Among the bills sent to the governor Thursday were those that would:

Make it illegal for employers to fire workers based on their sexual orientation or religion.

Give voters the option of having permanent absentee-ballot status.

Allow victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking to withhold their real addresses from public records.

Make it easier for people to seal their criminal records.

Direct that School Accountability Reports be easier for parents to interpret.

Require disciplinary action for prison guards who fail to report sexual assaults by inmates.

Increase the daily expense allowance for rural lawmakers from $99 a day to about $150.

Law Wars, Episode LXVI

State representatives were so giddy about finishing the legislative session early that they launched into a series of "Star Wars" jokes at the end of a long day.

House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, a "Star Wars" nut, kicked it off when he put a Darth Vader mask on his desk and started waving around a toy lightsaber instead of his gavel. Someone gave Romanoff the mask awhile back because he sometimes refers to the Senate as the "Evil Empire."

Then Rep. Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs, cracked up his colleagues by using his laptop to pump out the "Imperial March."

"These are not the droids you're looking for," said House Majority Leader Alice Madden, D-Boulder.

And then Romanoff, as Yoda would, called for a vote: "Machine open you will. Members vote."