Health care cost analysis task force - creation - analysis of health care financing systems - report - gifts, grants, and donations - repeal - appropriation. The act creates the health care cost analysis task force (task force). The president of the senate, the minority leader of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the minority leader of the house of representatives shall each appoint one legislative member to the task force. The governor shall appoint 4 members to the task force. The executive directors of the departments of human services, public health and environment, and health care policy and financing, or their designees, also serve on the task force. The task force is required to issue a competitive solicitation in order to select an analyst to provide a detailed analysis of fiscal costs and other impacts to 3 health care financing systems. The health care financing systems to be analyzed are: The current health care financing system, in which residents receive health care coverage from private and public insurance carriers or are uninsured; A multi-payer universal health care system, in which all residents of Colorado are covered under a plan with a mandated set of benefits that is publicly funded and paid for by employer and employee contributions; and A publicly financed and privately delivered universal health care system that directly compensates providers. The analyst may use the same specified criteria when conducting the analysis of each health care financing system. The task force is required to report the findings of the analyst to the general assembly. The task force may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations for the analysis. The general assembly may appropriate money to the health care cost analysis cash fund for the purposes of the task force, the analysis, and reporting requirements. The act appropriates $92,649 to the department of health care policy and financing from the general fund to implement the act. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Waste tires - increased fee assessed on new tires sold - rebates for waste tires processed - waste tire monofill requirements - appropriation. To encourage resource recovery, recycling, and reuse of waste tires, there is a waste tire fee assessed on each new tire sold in the state. Commencing on January 1, 2020, the act raises the waste tire fee from 55 cents to up to $2.00, as set by the solid and hazardous waste commission by rule, and, on January 1, 2024, reduces it to 55 cents and continues the fee collection through December 31, 2025. The act also recreates the end users fund, into which fund, on and after January 1, 2020, the state treasurer shall distribute a portion of the revenue collected from the waste tire fee for use by the department of public health and environment (department) to provide quarterly rebates to end users for the processing of waste tires into tire-derived products or fuel. The end users fund and the rebate program are repealed on July 1, 2026. The state treasurer is required to distribute the other portion of the fee revenue to the waste tire administration, enforcement, market development, and cleanup fund in an amount sufficient to offset the department's direct and indirect costs in implementing the waste tire program, which costs are capped at 50 cents per each new tire sold. The act prohibits the department from granting a waiver to an owner or operator of a waste tire monofill from requirements to process a certain number of waste tires and not to store waste tires unless the owner or operator has demonstrated an annual net reduction in the number of waste tires at the monofill or has experienced an emergency event at the monofill such as a fire or flood. $3,262,500 is appropriated to the department to implement the act. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Impacts of new and emerging transportation technologies and business models - stakeholder group examination and policy recommendations report - department of transportation report and recommendations - rules. The act requires the department of transportation (CDOT) to convene and engage in robust consultation with a stakeholder group comprised of representatives of specified industries, workers, governmental entities, planning organizations, and interest groups that will potentially be affected by the adoption of new and emerging transportation technologies and business models. The stakeholder group is required to: Examine the economic, environmental, and transportation system impacts of the adoption of new and emerging transportation technologies and business models; Identify potential means of addressing the impacts that increase positive impacts and mitigate negative impacts; and Present to CDOT, no later than November 1, 2019, a report of policy recommendations regarding the impacts examined and means of addressing those impacts, potentially with funding from the imposition of fees on the use of a motor vehicle used for commercial purposes, as defined by the act. The report must identify potential fees that are structured and reasonably calculated to: Generate sufficient revenue for the state and local governments to mitigate specified impacts to the transportation system; Fund needed transportation infrastructure, including multimodal infrastructure and the infrastructure needed to support the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles; Defray the administrative costs of fee collection; Incentivize the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles for utilization as motor vehicles used for commercial purposes; and Incentivize multiple passenger ride sharing for motor vehicles used for commercial purposes and the use of such vehicles as a first and last mile solution for users of public transit. The act defines "motor vehicle used for commercial purposes": To include: A motor vehicle that is used to provide passenger transportation services purchased through a transportation network company, a peer-to-peer car sharing company, a car sharing company that does not use a peer-to-peer business model, or a company that provides taxicab service; A motor vehicle that is rented out by a rental car company; and A motor vehicle that is used for residential delivery of goods; and To exclude: A motor vehicle used to deliver goods that is used only to deliver goods: To addresses other than residences; or That are delivered as freight; A motor vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than fourteen thousand pounds; or A motor vehicle that is operated for the purpose of transporting passengers: Under a contract with the regional transportation district a regional transportation authority, or any other governmental or public entity; or By a common carrier other than a company that provides taxicab service. CDOT is required to report on the progress and policy recommendations of the stakeholder group, CDOT's preliminary plans and recommendations regarding the development and promulgation of rules, and any recommendations that CDOT has regarding the need for related legislation during its 2019 annual presentation to legislative oversight committees required by the "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act". No later than October 1, 2020, within any statutory parameters established by the general assembly through legislation enacted during the 2020 legislative session, and giving strong consideration to the policy recommendations report provided by the stakeholder group, CDOT is required to promulgate rules to the extent necessary to effectively implement the act. If the general assembly does not impose fees on motor vehicles used for commercial purposes through legislation enacted during the 2020 legislative session and instead enacts legislation that authorizes CDOT or any CDOT enterprise to impose such fees, the rules may impose fees to the extent authorized by the legislation. During the 2020 legislative interim, CDOT must present a final written report regarding the stakeholder group, rule-making processes, and rules promulgated to the transportation legislation review committee. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Peer-to-peer car sharing - insurance - equipment - notifications. The act regulates peer-to-peer car sharing programs as follows: Requires the shared car to be covered by insurance from the driver or from the program, but if the program provides the insurance, the required coverage is 3 times the normal required coverage; If the required insurance is provided by the driver, the program must carry insurance to cover a lapse or lack of coverage, and this insurance may be purchased from a surplus lines insurer; Makes the insurance that satisfies the required coverage the primary insurance; Requires the program to notify the car owner that sharing the car may violate any lien on the car; The program must assume liability up to the required coverages, except liability caused by the shared car owner's material misstatement of fact or the shared car owner's actions in concert with a shared car driver who fails to return the shared car; Authorizes the shared car owner's insurer to exclude coverage when the car is being used in a program, and gives the insurer a right of contribution for any claims made as a result of the car sharing; Prohibits an insurer from refusing to insure a shared car outside the sharing solely because the car covered under the policy has been made available for car sharing; Sets record-keeping requirements; Clarifies that the program and a shared car owner are covered by the exemption set forth in federal law exempting rental companies from vicarious liability based on ownership of the car; Authorizes a program to be the named insured for a shared car; Requires the program to make certain disclosures and provide an emergency telephone number; Requires the program to verify that the driver is licensed to drive and keep records of this verification; Makes the program responsible for any equipment installed on the car for sharing purposes; Requires the program and the car owner, when there is a safety recall on the car, to remove the car from the program until the car is repaired; and Requires a program to enter into concession agreements with local airports to collect the airport fees on car sharing at an airport.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Colorado medical practice act - continuation under sunset law - pro bono license - letter of admonition - repeal. The act implements recommendations in the 2018 sunset review and report by the department of regulatory agencies by: Continuing the "Colorado Medical Practice Act" (Act) and the Colorado medical board (board) until September 1, 2026; Eliminating the restriction on the number of days that a physician may practice in a calendar year with a pro bono license; Repealing the requirement that the board send a letter of admonition to a licensee by certified mail; and Making technical amendments to the Act. Specified provisions of the act are contingent upon House Bill 19-1172 becoming law. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Income tax - credit - innovative motor vehicles. The act modifies the amounts of and extends the number of available years of the existing income tax credits for the purchase or lease of an electric motor vehicle, a plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle, and an original equipment manufacturer electric truck and plug-in hybrid electric truck.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Marriage of underage persons - issuance of marriage license - rights and conditions - appropriation. The act prohibits persons under 16 years of age from obtaining a marriage license. A person who is 16 or 17 years of age may only obtain a marriage license if a juvenile court determines that the underage party is capable of assuming the responsibilities of marriage and that the marriage would serve the underage party's best interests. Prior to making this determination, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the underage party to investigate the underage party's circumstances and best interests and to file a report with the court addressing the factors listed in the act and stating a position regarding whether the issuance of a marriage license is in the underage party's best interests. The act authorizes the juvenile court to appoint a guardian ad litem for purposes of judicial consent for underage marriage. The act clarifies that an underage married person has certain rights under law, including the right to establish a separate domicile from the married person's parents; the right to file motions and petitions in the married person's own name; the right to enter into enforceable contracts, including leases for housing; and the right to consent to their own medical care. The act clarifies that both parties to a proxy marriage must be 18 years of age. The act prohibits complete social security numbers from appearing on marriage forms and certificates issued by county clerks and recorders and allows certain documents to prove the applicant's identity. For the 2019-20 state fiscal year, the act appropriates $59,850 from the general fund to the judicial department for use by the office of the child's representative for operating expenses and for court-appointed counsel. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Prohibiting posting image of a minor committing suicide - class 3 misdemeanor - exceptions. The act prohibits a person from intentionally posting or distributing, through the use of social media or any website, or disseminating through other means, an image of a minor attempting suicide, dying by suicide, or having died by suicide, with the intent to harass, intimidate, or coerce any person, and the posting or distribution results in serious emotional distress to any person. It is a class 3 misdemeanor for the first person who posts, distributes, or disseminates the image, for all others it is a civil infraction with a $100 penalty. It is not an offense if the posting or distribution of the image is a fictional work or a documentary; related to a matter of public interest or public concern; related to the reporting of unlawful conduct; or is the lawful and common practices of law enforcement, criminal reporting, legal proceedings, or medical treatment. The act is known as "Lil' Von Mercado's Law".(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Aid to the needy disabled program - applications - navigation assistance - appropriation. The act creates a program to help persons with disabilities participating in the state aid to the needy disabled program navigate the application process for federal disability benefits, including supplemental security income and social security disability insurance. The program is provided by participating county departments of human or social services (county departments) and is administered by the state department of human services (state department). Funding for the program is distributed to participating county departments pursuant to an allocation formula determined by state department rules after the state department receives input from counties, county representatives, and other relevant stakeholders. The act describes the services that may be provided by county departments participating in the program, including assistance with compiling and drafting supporting documentation for the application for federal disability benefits and assistance in completing and submitting the application. The state department shall evaluate the program pursuant to the time frame set forth in the act to determine if the program is meeting the program goals described in the act. The act creates the disability benefits application assistance fund and requires the state treasurer and controller to annually transfer to the fund money appropriated for the aid to the needy disabled program that remains unencumbered and unexpended at the end of the fiscal year. For the 2019-20 state fiscal year, the act appropriates $1,450,000 from the marijuana tax cash fund to the department of human services for adult assistance programs and disability benefit application program funding. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Colorado food systems advisory council - relocation to Colorado state university - repeal of interagency farm-to-school coordination task force - duties - appropriation. The act relocates the Colorado food systems advisory council (council) from the department of agriculture to Colorado state university and repeals the interagency farm-to-school coordination task force. The act ends the terms of current members of the council and provides for the appointment of new members. As updated in the act, the council's duties are to: Grow local, regional, and statewide food economies within which producers have access to new markets and low-income populations have access to fresh, affordable, and healthy foods. The council will collaborate and coordinate with producers, relevant state and federal educational institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and consumers to connect state and federal agencies and to provide Colorado producers, including fruit and vegetable producers, with viable market opportunities. Support the implementation of the recommendations in the Colorado blueprint of food and agriculture project, ensure that the blueprint, or its successor project, is updated as needed, and ensure alignment with other state or local food plans if relevant; Conduct research regarding national best practices regarding food and nutrition assistance, direct and intermediated market development, institutional procurement, and farm-to-school programs as well as other priorities determined by the council; Collaborate with, serve as a resource to, and receive input from local and regional food policy councils in the state; and Explore methods of collecting and assessing statewide data relating to council activities and report the relevant information and data regarding council activities as required by current law. $100,317 is appropriated from the general fund to the department of higher education to implement the act. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Sexual misconduct - policies - training - reports - biennial summits - advisory committee. The act requires each institution of higher education (institution) to adopt, periodically review, and update a policy on sexual misconduct (policy). The act establishes minimum requirements for the policies, including reporting options, procedures for investigations and adjudications, and protections for involved persons. Institutions shall promote the policy by posting information on their websites and annually distributing the policy and information. Institutions are required to provide training on awareness and prevention of sexual misconduct, the policy, and resources available to discuss such misconduct. The act requires institutions to report to the department of higher education (department) on their policies and training, and the department shall post the reports on its website and report to the general assembly during its SMART Act hearing. The department shall host biennial summits on sexual misconduct on institution campuses to facilitate communication, share information, and hear from experts. The act identifies the membership of the planning committee for the summits. The planning committees shall report to specified committees of the general assembly on the summits. The act creates a sexual misconduct advisory committee to make recommendations to the general assembly and institutions on sexual misconduct policies at institutions following the promulgation of new federal rules by the federal department of education and annually thereafter. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
Forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grant program cash fund - appropriations. The act permits the forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grant program cash fund (fund) to accept as a component of the fund money appropriated or transferred to the fund by the general assembly. The act also expresses the intent of the general assembly that any additional amount of money appropriated for the 2019-20 state fiscal year to the fund be expended on grants that will support the maximum number of effective forest management fuels reduction projects to reduce the impacts to life, property, and critical infrastructure caused by wildfire. The act exempts appropriations made to the fund from existing statutory requirements relating to appropriations for financial assistance to students attending postsecondary education institutions. For the 2019-20 state fiscal year, the act appropriates $1 million from the general fund to be deposited into the fund for the use of the forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grant program. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More
