SB 118 Colorado Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Legacy Giving to Charitable Organizations

Summary
The act requires a bank, broker-dealer, depository institution, credit union, or financial or institutional investor (covered entity) that holds benefits that are designated by a donor to a charitable organization to pay the designated benefits no later than 60 calendar days after the charitable organization submits an affidavit attesting to the death of the donor and other information to the covered entity, except as described in federal law.     If a covered entity that holds designated benefits is unable to pay the designated benefits to a charitable organization because federal law requires the covered entity to take certain actions or satisfy certain criteria in order to pay the designated benefits, the covered entity must take the actions or satisfy the criteria that are required by federal law and comply with the act no less than 120 calendar days after the charitable organization submits the affidavit to the covered entity.     If a charitable organization receives designated benefits that concern a creditor claim, statutory allowance, or the unsatisfied balance of an elective-share or a supplemental elective-share claim (outstanding claim) for which the charitable organization may be liable, the charitable organization must return to the donor's estate a portion or all of the designated benefits in order to satisfy the outstanding claim within 60 days after receiving written notice of the liability, with certain exceptions. If the charitable organization fails to comply, it must pay statutory interest to the donor's estate for each day the unreturned amount remains outstanding. Upon receiving notice of the outstanding claim from the personal representative of the donor's estate, the charitable organization must hold all or a portion of the designated benefits in a constructive trust pending a determination of the outstanding claim. Moreover, the charitable organization may be subject to one or more court actions.     A covered entity that holds benefits that are designated to a charitable organization shall not:Require the charitable organization to establish an account with the covered entity as a condition of receiving the designated benefits; orRequire an individual employed by, or serving on the board of, the charitable organization to submit personal information as a condition of receiving designated benefits.     The act may be enforced by the division of banking, the financial services board, or the division of securities, as appropriate.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 19, 2026 Signed Apr 17, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

Rerevised Final Act · 6 edits · Mar 31, 2026
MODERATE
This bill establishes a legal framework for financial institutions to quickly transfer death benefits designated to charities, requiring payment within 60 days of receiving a proper affidavit. It defines specific types of benefits covered, such as insurance proceeds and payable-on-death accounts, and outlines the exact information required in the affidavit to trigger payment. The text also clarifies that charities may be held liable for certain estate claims if they receive these funds, requiring them to return money to the estate within 60 days if a valid claim exists.
Scope change
The bill applies to banks, broker-dealers, depository institutions, credit unions, and financial investors holding designated benefits. It specifically targets the transfer of funds to charitable organizations upon the donor's death.
REQUIREMENT

Added a strict 60-day timeline for covered entities to pay designated benefits to a charitable organization after receiving a valid affidavit.

Specified a comprehensive list of 11 required items for the affidavit, including the donor's address, benefit description, charity details, IRS determination letter, W-9 form, death certificate, and corporate resolutions.

DEFINITION

Defined 'covered entity' to include banks, broker-dealers, depository institutions, credit unions, and financial or institutional investors.

ENFORCEMENT

Established liability for charities that receive designated benefits they might owe to the donor's estate, requiring them to return funds within 60 days of notice or face court actions, injunctions, and interest penalties.

TIMELINE

Clarified that if federal law prevents immediate payment, the covered entity must comply with the bill's requirements within 120 days of receiving the affidavit.

TECHNICAL

Added a note indicating the bill is prepared for signatures and directing readers to legislative status sheets for final action.

Floor votes · House Mar 27, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
8
Committee
2
Apr 17, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker of the House
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
Mar 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee
upper
Mar 16, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Finance
lower
Mar 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Finance Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Finance
upper
3 primary · 17 co-sponsors

Sponsors