The bill creates the veterans outdoor terrain restoration and recreation mental health grant program (program) in the division of veterans affairs within the state department of military and veterans affairs (division) to provide money to nonprofit and for-profit organizations that provide outdoor restoration and recreation activities for veterans. On or before January 1, 2019, the adjutant general, in consultation with the board of veterans affairs, shall adopt rules for the administration of the program, including a requirement that organizations receiving money from the program carry insurance. The veterans outdoor terrain restoration and recreation mental health grant program cash fund is created and consists of any money received by the division as gifts, grants, or donations and such money as is appropriated to the fund by the general assembly. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
Sponsored bills
The bill prohibits a carrier that issues a health benefit plan that covers treatment for stage four advanced metastatic cancer from requiring a cancer patient to undergo step therapy prior to receiving a drug approved by the United States food and drug administration if use of the approved drug is consistent with best practices for treatment of the cancer and as long as the drug is on the carrier's prescription drug formulary. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill requires a health benefit plan to provide coverage for health care services provided by a pharmacist if: The services are provided within a health professional shortage area; and The health benefit plan provides coverage for the same services provided by a licensed physician or advanced practice nurse.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill recreates the former health care task force, renamed as the statewide health care review committee, to study health care issues that affect Colorado residents throughout the state. The committee consists of the members of the house of representatives committees on health, insurance, and environment and on public health care and human services and the senate committee on health and human services. The committee is permitted to meet up to 2 times during the interim between legislative sessions, including 2 field trips. For the 2018-19 fiscal year, the bill appropriates $23,951 from the general fund to the legislative department to implement the bill. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill directs the department of health care policy and financing (department) to prepare and submit a waiver to the federal government requesting authority to implement certain self-sufficiency provisions as part of the Colorado medical assistance program (medicaid). The bill: Requires able-bodied adults as a condition of eligibility for medicaid to become employed, actively seek employment, attend job or vocational training, or volunteer at a nonprofit organization; except that this requirement does not apply to certain persons specified in the bill; Requires able-bodied adults to verify income monthly for determination of eligibility; Authorizes the department to prohibit enrollment in medicaid if a person fails to report a change in family income or makes a false statement regarding compliance with the work requirement; Establishes a lifetime limit on medicaid benefits of 5 years, and includes persons excepted from the limit; and Authorizes the department to impose copayments to deter the use of emergency departments and ambulance services for nonemergency services and nonemergency transportation. The bill requires the department to report to the general assembly regarding the preparation, submission, approval, implementation, and outcome of the self-sufficiency waiver provisions. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
Current law allows the Colorado water conservation board to approve up to 15 pilot projects for agricultural water leasing or fallowing projects. The bill expands the types of projects that may be approved to include deficit irrigation projects, which use less than the optimal amount of water on a particular crop, but limits these projects to water divisions 2 and 3 and within the boundaries of the upper Gunnison water conservancy district. The bill also excludes from the determination of historical consumptive use decreases in use resulting from deficit irrigation projects to conserve or lease water. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill requires the works allocation committee to annually submit to the executive director of the department of human services (department), the governor, and the joint budget committee recommendations for the use of the money in the Colorado long-term works reserve for the upcoming state fiscal year. The department-appointed members are not required to vote on the annual recommendations. The county-appointment members shall draft the annual recommendations.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Under current law, the state board of health (board) is authorized to establish a schedule of fees for health facilities, including assisted living residences, which fees must be sufficient to meet the department of public health and environment's direct and indirect costs in regulating health facilities. With regard to most department-regulated health facilities, the board cannot increase fees by more than the inflation rate. However, the inflation rate limitation does not apply to the fees assessed by the department against assisted living residences. Starting August 1, 2019, the bill imposes the inflation rate limitation on fees assessed against assisted living residences. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Current law requires a naturopathic doctor to use the term "registered" in the doctor's title. The bill changes the titles that naturopathic doctors may use by eliminating the word "registered". (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
On solely a one-time basis within the state, the bill requires a state district court to waive all statutory requirements specified for the approval of a municipal incorporation that are not otherwise met by a petitioner if the petitioner files a request for such waiver with a state district court in accordance with the bill. The bill defines 'petitioner' to mean a natural person or entity that seeks state district court approval of a pilot project in accordance with the bill and defines 'pilot project' to mean a one-time project for approval by a state district court of a municipal incorporation to facilitate the creation of a model for a sustainable community with significant affordable housing. The petitioner commences the process for acquiring a waiver by filing an application with an appropriate state district court. The application must be supported by the formal endorsement in writing of any 2 of the following 3 individuals in office as of the time the application is submitted to the district court: The governor of the state; The president of the state senate; or The speaker of the state house of representatives. This formal endorsement must include a statement from the applicable elected official on his or her official letterhead as to why he or she believes approval of the pilot project is a model for sustainability and affordable housing while also being in the best interests of the people of the state. Once a single waiver has been granted by a state district court under the bill, no additional waivers may be granted for any land area in the state under the bill unless the waiver has been approved by the general assembly by bill including the signature of the governor in accordance with all regular legal procedures and additionally by each of the 3 elected officials in accordance with the requirements of the bill. A petitioner's request for a waiver must be filed with the district court not later than July 31, 2018. Any request for a waiver that is not filed by July 31, 2018, is of no legal force and effect. If the petitioner satisfies all requirements, the district court is required to enter an order finding that the pilot project meets all of the applicable requirements, issuing the requested waiver, and approving the pilot project that is effective as of the date of the order. Upon the entry by a district court of an order issuing the requested waiver and approving the pilot project, the pilot project is designated a town and as of that date possesses all of the rights, powers, and duties delegated to or imposed upon the towns of this state as provided by law, including powers relating to land use, zoning, and related matters. The territorial boundaries of the town are coterminous with the land area of the pilot project as specified in the waiver application. Not less than 90 days after entry of the order, one or more owners of real property located within the territorial boundaries of the town, acting singularly or in combination, as applicable, are required to appoint 5 individuals to serve as the members of a town commission. The commission serves as the governing body of the town, and possesses all of the powers and duties possessed under law by a town council, until such time as the town elects a town council and other elective officers. The term of office of all such commission members is 4 years; except that the term of office of members of the commission may terminate earlier than 4 years upon the election of the town council and other elective officers at which time the commission ceases to exist. An individual need not be a registered elector of the town in order to accept appointment to the commission but any person serving on the commission must be a resident of the state. At such time as the number of residents of the town equals or exceeds 150 natural persons, the commission is required to hold an election for the purpose of electing a town council and other elective officers. To the extent practicable, the election must be conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of existing law. Upon the election of the town council and other elective officers, the town council becomes the governing body of the town and such council members and other elective officers must perform their duties and responsibilities as provided by law. The bill clarifies that the town possesses the same authority as any other government in the state to cooperate with or enter into an intergovernmental agreement with another government for the provision of any goods or services to assist in the development, management, operation, or administration of the town. The pilot project opportunity is repealed, effective July 1, 2019. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) Read More