SJR 21 Colorado Senate · 2026 Regular Session

National Arab American Heritage Month

This bill proposes that Colorado lawmakers consider adding guaranteed lifetime income options to the state public employees' retirement defined contribution plan and voluntary savings plans. The measure aims to ensure public employees have access to a reliable income stream in retirement, similar to what is already available in the state's traditional defined benefit plan. By allowing workers to choose options that provide lifetime payouts, the bill seeks to improve retirement security and financial confidence for over 226,000 active public employees. The resolution encourages the General Assembly to study how these new options could help workers retire with dignity while maintaining the portability of their savings.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Apr 9, 2026 Last action Apr 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Revised → Signed Act · 4 edits · Apr 29, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten from a symbolic resolution designating April as National Arab American Heritage Month into a substantive policy measure focused on retirement security. The new text removes all references to Arab American history and contributions, replacing them with a focus on improving retirement readiness for Colorado public employees. It now urges the legislature to add lifetime income options to the PERA Defined Contribution plan to ensure employees have guaranteed income in retirement.

Scope change

The scope shifted from a general cultural observance applicable to all residents to a specific policy recommendation targeting public employees of the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA).

SCOPE

All text recognizing Arab American heritage, history, and contributions was deleted.

Changed the bill's purpose from cultural recognition to financial policy improvement for public sector workers.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement to consider adding lifetime income options to the PERA DC plan and voluntary savings plans.

DEFINITION

Introduced new context regarding PERA plan structures, including Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plans.

Floor votes · House Apr 28, 2026

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by the Speaker of the House

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President of the Senate

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

lower

Apr 24, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In House - Assigned to

lower

Apr 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to

upper

2 primary · 68 co-sponsors