Current law requires each principal department of the state (department) to establish a schedule to review all of its rules. The act requires the review to occur at least every 5 years. Current law directs each department to make certain determinations when conducting the review of the rules. The act requires the following additional determinations:Whether the department has rules with the same or similar purpose, intent, or goal and, if so, how those are coordinated and whether redundant rules can be eliminated;Whether the rule is outdated or obsolete;Whether funding levels to support the program or function subject to the rule are appropriate; andWhether there are opportunities to improve the effectiveness of the rule in meeting its purpose, intent, or goal. Current law requires each department to present a report at its 'SMART Act' hearing regarding its mandatory review of all rules. The act permits the committee of reference presiding over the 'SMART Act' hearing to make a recommendation whether a program or function subject to the rules should be subject to a sunset review or may make a recommendation to the legislative audit committee for an audit by the office of the state auditor. The act clarifies the attorney general's responsibility regarding litigation discovery on behalf of the state of Colorado or on behalf of the people of the state of Colorado.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The bill requires the Colorado energy office (office) to serve as the state's permitting coordinator for nuclear energy projects. The office is required to:Coordinate with developers of nuclear energy projects (developers), stakeholders, and state and local permitting agencies throughout the permitting process and assist developers in navigating local, state, and federal regulations;Build administrative and coordination capacity to prepare for federal funding opportunities; andOn or before December 1, 2027, recommend to the public utilities commission (commission) factors for the commission to consider when approving the acquisition of a nuclear energy project or other clean firm resources and cost-recovery mechanisms for the development of nuclear energy projects. The bill requires an investor-owned electric utility with more than 500,000 customers to:On or before August 1, 2027, solicit requests for information from communities and local governments interested in hosting a nuclear energy project and from potential development partners; andIdentify, in collaboration with other public utilities, local governments, and developers, potential sites for a nuclear energy project. The bill states that an investor-owned electric utility may submit to the commission, and the commission is required to approve, an application to expend and recover up to $20 million to finance studies regarding potential sites, facility designs, and other activities related to the development of nuclear energy projects in the state. The bill requires the commission to issue an approval or denial of a petition from an investor-owned electric utility regarding a cost-recovery mechanism for a nuclear energy project no later than 6 months after receiving the petition. The bill establishes a statewide goal of identifying at least one nuclear energy project site by 2035 and beginning construction of at least one nuclear energy project by 2040.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Currently, a person licensed as a manufacturer of spirituous liquors, malt liquors, or vinous liquors; a brew pub; a vintner's restaurant; or a limited winery (licensee) may allow another licensee to manufacture and store vinous liquors and malt liquors on the first licensee's premises. The bill specifies that a person licensed as a distillery pub is a licensee. The bill also specifies that, in addition to vinous liquors and malt liquors, a licensee may allow another licensee to manufacture and store spirituous liquors on the first licensee's premises.The bill also allows a licensee to manufacture and store vinous liquors, spirituous liquors, or malt liquors (alcohol beverages) on the first licensee's premises on behalf of another licensee (alternating premises licensed premises). An alternating premises licensed premises must be adjacent to the premises of the person on whose behalf the licensee is manufacturing or storing alcohol beverages. A licensee may not sell alcohol beverages at retail from an alternating premises licensed premises.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
When a catalytic converter mechanically fails or is stolen from a motor vehicle, current rules of the air quality control commission require the replacement to comply with the rules of the California air resources board. The bill creates a temporary exception (exception) that allows an individual to use a replacement catalytic converter that complies with the standards established by rules of the United States environmental protection agency if:In the case of the theft of a catalytic converter, the theft has been reported to a law enforcement agency; andThe owner or operator of the motor vehicle has made a reasonable effort to obtain the required replacement catalytic converter and has been unable to obtain the replacement catalytic converter.The exception is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.The bill prohibits a motor vehicle repair facility or any employee or contract laborer of the facility from repairing or replacing a catalytic converter that has failed or been stolen without first informing the customer about available state programs to replace an internal combustion vehicle with a zero-emission alternative.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Real property or buildings used to provide dwelling accommodations that substantially benefit persons with low income (project property) that is owned, leased, or under construction by a local housing authority, or an entity that is partially or wholly owned by a local housing authority, is exempt from property taxation. Section 1 of the bill clarifies that a "senior cooperative housing project" may qualify for such property tax exemption as a "project" of a local housing authority. A "senior cooperative housing project" is defined as a multi-unit residential building or complex occupied by qualifying seniors that is owned by a cooperative or cooperative housing corporation. A "qualifying senior" is an individual who is at least 65 years old and of low income.The affordable rental housing component of property in a public-private partnership between the middle-income housing authority and one or more public or private entities or persons is exempt from property taxation. Section 2 clarifies that a "senior cooperative housing project" that otherwise meets the qualifications and is selected by the authority may qualify for such property tax exemption as an "affordable rental housing project". "Senior cooperative housing project" has the same meaning as in section 1. A "qualifying senior" also has the same meaning as in section 1 and includes an individual who is of middle income. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Under current law, only individuals of certain ages may qualify for the federal or state earned income tax credit. The federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" temporarily lowered the minimum age requirement and removed the maximum age requirement for the federal earned income tax credit. In 2021, the lowered minimum age requirement was adopted for the state earned income tax credit (credit) indefinitely. For tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2028, the bill adopts the removal of the maximum age requirement for the credit indefinitely. An individual who claims the credit as a result of the bill may claim the credit in an amount determined in the same manner as an individual who claims the credit as a result of the prior adoption of the lowered minimum age requirement.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
The bill creates the equal justice license plate (plate). An applicant becomes eligible for the plate by making a donation to the equal justice authority (authority). The department of revenue (department) will collect the donation on behalf of, and remit the money to, the authority. The authority must spend the donation in the same manner as currently required by law for the equal justice fee.In addition to the donation and the normal fees for a license plate, a person must pay 2 additional one-time fees in the amount of $25, one of which is credited to the highway users tax fund and the other to the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account.The bill allows the department to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations, and mandates that the department will not commence work on the creation of the plate until the department has received sufficient gifts, grants, and donations to cover the cost of creating the plate and any other related administrative or programming needs.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
The bill recreates the wildfire matters review committee (interim committee) to succeed the wildfire matters review committee that repealed on September 1, 2025. The purpose of the interim committee is to review the implementation and effectiveness of state policies and resources for wildfire prevention and mitigation and to consider and recommend legislation or other policy changes to address all matters relating to wildfire prevention and mitigation including public safety, forest health, and cooperation with appropriate federal agencies and local governments.The interim committee consists of 10 members of the general assembly appointed as follows:5 members of the senate: 3 appointed by the president of the senate and 2 appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and5 members of the house of representatives: 3 appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and 2 appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives. The appointing authorities must make their original appointments to the interim committee no later than June 1, 2026. The term of appointment is 2 years. Incumbent members may be reappointed to the committee.The bill requires the interim committee to meet at least twice and allows the committee to take 2 field trips during every interim. The committee's duties are to:Review the implementation and effectiveness of state policies and resources for wildfire prevention and mitigation;Seek presentations and comments from individuals with professional expertise relating to wildfire prevention and mitigation and from representatives of relevant state agencies, local governments, private industry, and impacted communities; andRecommend legislation or other policy changes to address matters related to wildfire prevention and mitigation, including public safety, forest health, and cooperation with appropriate federal agencies and local governments.The bill allows the committee to recommend up to 5 bills during each interim.The committee is repealed, effective June 30, 2031.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
The bill gives the courts authority to make determinations for the care and custody of pet animals in proceedings for dissolution of marriage and legal separation. The bill permits a court to issue an emergency protection order concerning the custody and care of a pet animal.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
The bill creates the my Colorado card pilot program (pilot program) in the department of public health and environment (department) to provide individuals in grades 6 through 12 (youth) access to cultural, arts, recreational, or extracurricular activities throughout the state (activities). The department must develop a physical or digital my Colorado card for the youth participating in the pilot program to access the activities covered by the pilot program.No later than December 30, 2026, the department, after obtaining feedback and recommendations from community-led organizations no later than December 1, 2026, must select a limited number of pilot communities to participate in the pilot program (selected pilot communities). A selected pilot community must appoint a coordination team to support youth participation in the pilot program.The department must also coordinate with the selected pilot communities and community-led organizations to:Identify youth in the selected pilot communities to participate in the pilot program;Facilitate access to activities for youth participating in the pilot program; andCollect nonidentifying participation data for evaluation and reporting purposes.The department shall evaluate the pilot program on an annual basis to assess certain components of the pilot program. On or before December 1, 2027, and on or before each December 1 thereafter, the department shall submit a report to certain committees of the general assembly summarizing the results of the department's evaluation, observed outcomes and challenges of the pilot program, and recommendations regarding the continuation or modification of the pilot program.The pilot program repeals on September 1, 2031, subject to the sunset review process.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
The bill requires an individual being discharged from a nursing facility to be presumptively eligible for long-term services and supports under medicaid.The bill requires the department of health care policy and financing (state department) to determine presumptive eligibility and requires county departments of human or social services (county departments) to set up the long-term services and supports for an individual being discharged from a nursing facility prior to the individual's discharge date.The state department is required to submit an annual report to the state auditor and post the report on the state department's website detailing information about the individuals discharged from a nursing facility and the associated presumptive eligibility determinations.The bill establishes remedial measures against a county department if the county department fails to set up long-term services and supports for the individual. The bill establishes remedial measures against a nursing facility that fails to discharge an individual on the discharge date due to a failure within the nursing facility's control or fails to cooperate in good faith with the state department to ensure long-term care services and supports are in place for the individual.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Current law provides an exemption for taxation on property acquired and developed for low-income housing by nonprofit housing providers, community land trusts, and nonprofit affordable homeownership developers. The bill expands the exemption to also include property intended for low-income residential rental property.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
