Rep. Andy Boesenecker

The act gives county departments of human or social services and the Colorado department of human services (department) the statutory authority needed to conduct the required fingerprint-based criminal history record checks for individuals who provide out-of-home care for child-welfare-involved youth in accordance with the federal bureau of investigation's standards.     For the 2026-27 state fiscal year, the general assembly anticipates that the department will receive $350,000 in federal funds to implement the act, and $350,000 is appropriated to the office of the governor for use by the office of information technology to implement the act. The $350,000 appropriation is from reappropriated funds received from the department.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act requires the division of administration in the department of public health and environment (division), no later than July 2029, to propose a final rule (rule) establishing certain limits on the emission of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide (emission limits) from an electric generating unit (unit) that is owned or operated by an electric utility; is located in the state; and emitted 200 tons or more of nitrogen oxides, or sulfur dioxide, or both in calendar year 2024 (covered unit). The rule must require compliance with the emission limits as soon as practicable after December 31, 2034, and must not cover units that, before December 31, 2029, have ceased operations; burn natural gas, fuel oil, or both only; or have certain systems installed. A unit that operates after December 31, 2034, must install certain pollution controls and comply with the emission limits on or before December 31, 2034.     An owner or operator of a unit is required to provide quarterly emission reports showing compliance with the rule to the division. On August 1, 2029, the air quality control commission in the department of public health and environment (AQCC) must submit to the general assembly a list of any units that are subject to a federal order. If there are any units subject to a federal order, the AQCC must also submit to the general assembly recommendations on whether to amend the requirements for units subject to federal order.     An investor-owned utility or wholesale electric cooperative that is the owner or operator of a unit is required, beginning 150 days after the issuance of a federal order requiring the unit to remain operating after the unit was scheduled to retire (order) and continuing every 90 days until the order is no longer in effect, to file a report with the public utilities commission (commission) that contains certain information about the costs to operate the unit and the amount of electricity generated by the unit. The commission must make these reports publicly available. An investor-owned utility is also permitted to submit an application for a financing order to recover the costs of complying with an order.     Any decision by the commission approving or modifying a portfolio in an electric resource plan of an investor-owned utility serving more than 500,000 customers must approve an amount of accredited capacity that allows the investor-owned utility to reliably achieve certain retirement and carbon dioxide emission reduction requirements. This requirement applies to an investor-owned utility serving more than 500,000 customers until the division determines that the investor-owned utility has achieved certain carbon dioxide emission reductions or until the investor-owned utility has retired all covered units, whichever is later.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summarySB 132, known as the "Magnus Law," requires Colorado law enforcement officers to offer drivers involved in collisions resulting in death or suspected serious injury the opportunity to voluntarily take a breath test for alcohol. The bill mandates officers provide clear, plain-language advisement that the test is voluntary, refusal carries no penalty, and results cannot be used in court. It applies when officers reasonably suspect the driver was at fault and the driver isn't critically injured, creating a standardized protocol to ensure consistent investigation of potential impairment at serious crash scenes. This change aims to preserve evidence that might otherwise be lost, without altering existing legal standards for driving under the influence.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a two-mile stretch of Colorado Highway 14 in Weld County as 'Mono & Matt Road' to honor Edwardo 'Mono' Hernandez and Matthew Garcia, two high school basketball players who died in a 2014 traffic accident. The legislation authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to install signs for the new name and allows the department to accept donations for this purpose while exploring a cooperative agreement with Weld County for future maintenance. By placing the names on a specific roadway, the bill creates a permanent physical tribute to the students in the location where the accident occurred.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets the official start date for Colorado's 2027 legislative session to Monday, January 11, 2027, and establishes a detailed schedule of deadlines for introducing and passing laws. It directly affects state legislators and legislative staff by creating a new set of rules that specify when bills must be filed, introduced, and passed by various committees. The bill includes specific dates for actions such as submitting bill drafts, introducing new legislation, and final passage, with special provisions for school funding bills and appropriation bills. These deadlines are designed to organize the legislative process and ensure timely completion of the session's work.

Maddy summaryHJR 1028 is a joint resolution that declares the Colorado House of Representatives' intent to honor a $2 million investment in school funding studies by creating a multi-year plan to address their findings. The bill directs the legislature to review the recommendations from two recent studies, which found that current school funding levels are inadequate and teacher salaries are too low, and to decide which study's methodology to follow for implementation. It requires the development of a structured plan that includes revenue triggers to phase in changes aimed at improving school funding equity and teacher compensation.

Beginning on January 1, 2028, a health insurance carrier (carrier) of an individual or group health benefit plan in Colorado (plan) shall, when calculating a covered person's contribution to an out-of-pocket maximum or cost-sharing requirement under the plan, account for and credit to the covered person's contribution an out-of-pocket expense that the covered person incurs by purchasing a prescription drug directly from a pharmacy or direct-to-consumer platform (contribution credit). The carrier shall apply the contribution credit to the out-of-pocket maximum or cost-sharing requirement that is applicable in the plan year in which the out-of-pocket expense was incurred.     To receive a contribution credit, a covered person must provide to the carrier proof of payment for a direct purchase of a prescription drug, such as an itemized receipt or pharmacy record, within 90 days after making the purchase (proof of payment). The carrier may request additional information or documentation if the proof of payment is insufficient or incomplete.     The carrier shall not apply a contribution credit in the following circumstances:For an amount of a covered person's out-of-pocket expense incurred by the direct purchase of a prescription drug that is greater than the amount the covered person would have incurred if they had obtained the same prescription drug in the same plan year from an in-network pharmacy and pursuant to the terms of their plan;If the covered person does not provide proof of payment;If the covered person incurred the out-of-pocket expense by purchasing a prescription drug that is not covered under the formulary of the covered person's plan, unless the carrier grants an exception; orIf the covered person does not comply with the carrier's utilization management processes, including prior authorization and step therapy protocols required under the covered person's plan.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryHR 1007 is a commemorative resolution honoring Colorado's 150th anniversary of statehood in 2026. The bill directly affects the people of Colorado and various government officials by formally recognizing the state's history, culture, and achievements. Its key provisions call on citizens to celebrate this milestone with gratitude and dedication to liberty while committing to preserve natural resources, promote civic education, and strengthen infrastructure. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the state's legacy and future goals.

The act prohibits employers from making deductions from the wages or compensation of an employee for personal protective equipment. The act also requires an employer with 500 or more employees who are engaged in the slaughter of livestock or the rendering or packaging of meat to provide its employees reasonable access to restrooms. The division of labor standards and statistics in the department of labor and employment may fine an employer who fails to provide restroom access.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution that formally honors Colorado law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices. It expresses gratitude for their role in protecting communities and encourages residents to engage with police to build trust. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as a public acknowledgment of officers' work and challenges.