SB 25-052: Railroad Investigative Report Confidentiality - Colorado

Rerevised (02/28/2025) → Revised (02/27/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated from a 'Rerevised' version to a 'Revised' version, reflecting that amendments adopted on second reading in the Second House are now included. The House sponsorship list was shortened by removing four co-sponsors (Froelich, Mauro, Boesenecker, Bacon, Lieder, Lindstedt, Titone), while the Senate sponsorship list remained unchanged. The document header and committee assignments were also updated to reflect the current legislative status.

Scope change

No substantive policy changes to the bill's scope, applicability, funding, or requirements were identified in this diff; changes are primarily related to legislative status and sponsorship lists.

TECHNICAL

Header text changed from 'REREVISED' to 'REVISED' and updated the amendment status description to reflect second reading adoption in the Second House.

Four House co-sponsors (Froelich, Mauro, Boesenecker, Bacon, Lieder, Lindstedt, Titone) were removed from the House sponsorship list.

The '3rd Reading Unamended' date stamp and February 28, 2025 date were removed from the document header.

Final Act (03/12/2025) → Rerevised (02/28/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted from a final act version to a rerevised version with updated headers, dates, and page numbers. The substantive legislative content regarding railroad confidentiality rules remains unchanged, though the formatting of the statute text was slightly adjusted for clarity.

TECHNICAL

Updated document headers to reflect rerevised status with new dates (February 27-28, 2025) and removed final act signature language.

Reorganized bill layout and page numbering from final act format to rerevised format.

Adjusted spacing and formatting of the statutory text in section 1 while maintaining the same confidentiality provisions for railroad investigative reports.

Signed Act (03/20/2025) → Final Act (03/12/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill clarifies the confidentiality rules for railroad commission investigative reports by specifying that final reports must not be confidential and must require timely release of information when public safety, health, or welfare would be protected. The changes add transparency requirements while maintaining confidentiality for ongoing investigations and security information.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on railroad regulation confidentiality but modifies the balance between protecting investigative information and ensuring public access to final reports when safety concerns exist.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that final reports of investigations cannot be confidential and must require timely release of information when public knowledge would protect public safety, health, or welfare.

Added note indicating the bill has been prepared for signatures by legislative officers and the Governor.

TECHNICAL

Changed formatting from removed text to added text with proper signature lines and approval sections.

Reengrossed (02/04/2025) → Signed Act (03/20/2025) · 4 edits · Mar 20, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was reengrossed with updated sponsor lists and formatting changes. The core legislative text regarding railroad confidentiality rules and effective dates remained substantively unchanged, with only minor formatting adjustments and signature page updates.

TECHNICAL

Updated sponsor lists to include additional representatives (Bacon, Lieder, Lindstedt, Titone) and reordered committee listings

Added signature page with Governor Jared Polis and House/Senate officials

Reformatted bill header and page numbering from reengrossed version to signed act version

SUBSTANTIVE

Core provisions regarding railroad confidentiality rules and effective date remained identical to previous version

Engrossed (02/03/2025) → Reengrossed (02/04/2025) · 3 edits · Feb 4, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to include additional sponsors in the Senate, expanding the coalition of legislators supporting the measure. The document header was updated to reflect that all amendments have been adopted, and a note was added indicating a new bill summary will be available after the third reading in the House of Introduction.

TECHNICAL

Added five new Senate sponsors (Ball, Coleman, Exum, Gonzales J., Jaquez Lewis, Jodeh, Kipp, Michaelson Jenet, Snyder, Sullivan, Weissman) to the bill sponsorship list.

Updated the bill status header from 'ENGROSSED' to 'REENGROSSED' to reflect that all amendments have been incorporated.

Added a note indicating that a new bill summary will be available after the third reading in the House of Introduction, dated February 4, 2025.

Introduced (01/15/2025) → Engrossed (02/03/2025) · 3 edits · Feb 4, 2025

MINOR

The bill changed from being introduced to engrossed with amendments. The main substantive change is replacing a blanket confidentiality requirement for railroad investigative reports with a rule-making authority, allowing the Public Utilities Commission to decide which information stays confidential. The bill also added a petition clause allowing citizens to challenge the law within 90 days after the legislature ends.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding confidentiality was narrowed from automatic protection to conditional protection based on commission rules.

REQUIREMENT

Changed confidentiality rules for railroad investigations from automatic to rule-based, requiring the Public Utilities Commission to adopt rules specifying what stays confidential while ensuring final reports remain public.

Removed the previous requirement that all investigative reports be kept confidential without exception.

TIMELINE

Added a 90-day petition period after legislative adjournment, allowing citizens to challenge the law before it takes effect, with potential delay until November 2026 if challenged.

Railroad Investigative Report Confidentiality

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