The bill requires the broadband deployment board, on or before January 1, 2019, to petition the federal communications commission (FCC) for a waiver from the FCC's rules prohibiting a state entity from applying for federal money earmarked for broadband deployment in remote areas of the nation through the remote areas fund created as part of the connect America fund established by the FCC. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Under current law, the public utilities commission is directed to grant simplified regulatory treatment to water companies that serve fewer than 1,500 customers. The bill expands on this concept by deregulating water companies that are registered as nonprofits, so long as their rates, charges, and terms and conditions of service are just and reasonable. The commission retains the right to entertain a complaint of unjust or unreasonable rates or practices, and to take remedial action, if the complaint is authorized by specified public officials or other persons. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Currently, certain liquor licensees may sell one opened container of partially consumed vinous liquor to a customer if the licensee has meals available for consumption on the licensed premises. The bill expands the requirement to include licensees that makes sandwiches and light snacks available for consumption on the premises. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Early Childhood and School Readiness Legislative Commission. The bill amends the application and eligibility requirements for the school-readiness quality improvement program and the infant and toddler quality and availability grant program to align with the Colorado shines quality rating and improvement system to streamline the administration of the programs. The bill removes obsolete references to early childhood and education councils. The bill makes conforming amendments to reflect the references changed in the bill and to remove terms no longer used in the programs. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Current law does not guarantee that an individual who has the genetic condition known as Prader-Willi syndrome will receive crucial services and supports that are available for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The bill adds Prader-Willi syndrome to the list of persons who have mandatory eligibility for services and supports and also to the definition of an 'intellectual and developmental disability' for the purpose of receiving services and supports. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill prohibits a carrier or entity that offers a vision care plan from requiring an eye care provider with whom the carrier or entity contracts to: Provide services or materials to a covered person at a fee set by, or subject to the approval of, the carrier or entity unless certain conditions are met; Charge a covered person for noncovered services or noncovered materials in any amount less than the usual and customary amount that the eye care provider charges individuals who do not have coverage for such materials and services; or Participate, as a condition of participation in a vision plan, in any of the carrier's or entity's other vision plan networks. The bill prohibits a carrier or entity from changing the terms of a contract between the carrier or entity and an eye care provider without communication with the eye care provider. The bill requires the commissioner of insurance to institute a corrective action plan or use any of the commissioner's enforcement powers against a carrier or entity that is not in compliance with the above requirements. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Under current law, the department of education may issue a professional teacher license or professional special services license to a teacher or special services provider who holds a comparable license from another state and has 3 years of continuous teaching or special services experience. The bill changes the requirement from 3 years of continuous experience to 3 years of experience within the previous 7 years. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Under current law, in order to receive assistance under the aid to the needy disabled program, an applicant must be examined by a physician, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, or registered nurse. The bill adds to the list of persons authorized to perform an examination a licensed psychologist, or any other licensed or certified health care personnel the department of human services deems appropriate. Any person who performs an examination is required to certify the diagnosis, prognosis, and other relevant medical or mental factors relating to the applicant's disability. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Joint Budget Committee. The general assembly recognizes that the actual funded pupil count and the actual at-risk pupil count for the 2017-18 school year are lower than anticipated when the appropriation amount was established during the 2017 legislative session. In addition, local property tax and specific ownership tax receipts are more than anticipated, increasing the local share of total program funding. The bill declares the general assembly's intent to maintain total program funding at the level of the original appropriation, resulting in a reduction in the budget stabilization factor. The bill adjusts the minimum amount of total program funding specified in statute to reflect this intent. The bill decreases the state share of total program funding by the amount of the increased local property tax revenues, putting $84,034,372 back into the state education fund and $12,866,074 back into the state public school fund, for a total of $96,900,466. The bill makes technical amendments to the hold harmless full-day kindergarten funding and ASCENT program funding to reflect the total program funding amounts included in the bill. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More
Current law requires each license plate to be at the approximate center of a motor vehicle and at least 12 inches from the ground. The bill repeals this requirement for the front license plate and replaces it with a requirement that the front license plate be mounted horizontally on the front in the location designated by the manufacturer. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Statutory Revision Committee. Current law allows an employee in the state personnel system his or her moving and relocation expenses if an appointing authority requires the employee to change his or her place of residence due to a change in job duties. The bill specifies that moving expenses, including the reasonable expenses of moving household goods and personal effects and the reasonable costs of traveling to a new residence, are reimbursable in accordance with rules promulgated by the state controller and in compliance with the regulations of the federal internal revenue service. The bill also specifies that relocation expenses that are provided in the form of a per diem allowance for a certain number of days are reimbursable in accordance with rules promulgated by the state controller and in compliance with the regulations of the federal internal revenue service. In addition, the bill removes administrative details and requires the state controller to promulgate rules for the administration of moving and relocation deductions and reimbursements in compliance with the regulations of the federal internal revenue service. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Supplemental appropriations are made to the department of corrections. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
