Under the state constitution, property that is used solely and exclusively for religious worship is exempt from property tax, unless otherwise provided by general law. By statute, the property must be owned and used solely and exclusively for religious purposes to qualify for the exemption. The bill eliminates the ownership requirement, which is not expressly included in the state constitution, so that a property leased to a church or other organization that uses it solely and exclusively for religious purposes is exempt from property tax. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More
On and after January 1, 2019, the bill authorizes security personnel at the state capitol building, including the Colorado state patrol (CSP), to allow any member of the public who holds a capitol identification card (card) to enter the capitol building, the state services building, or the legislative services building without submitting to a search of his or her person or property by security personnel, electronic weapons screening devices, or other means. The secretary of the senate (secretary) or the chief clerk of the house of representatives (chief clerk) may issue a card to any member of the public who applies for the same, pays a fee, and completes a fingerprint-based criminal history record check. Each card is issued for a 2-year period. The bill sets the initial amount of the fee at $100. The amount of the fee must be set at a level that includes the actual costs incurred by the Colorado bureau of investigation (CBI) in completing the fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The legislative council of the general assembly may adjust the amount of the fee not to exceed $500 for any 2-year period for which the card is issued. As part of the application submitted by an individual for a card, the individual is required to have his or her fingerprints taken by a local law enforcement agency or any third party approved by the CBI for the purpose of obtaining a fingerprint-based criminal history record check. The costs of completing the check are paid by the applicant. The bill specifies how the record check is completed. The bill requires the CBI to forward the results of the criminal history record check to the secretary and the chief clerk. The issuance of a card is conditional upon a satisfactory criminal history record check that demonstrates the applicant has not been convicted of a felony. An applicant who fails his or her criminal history record check is not entitled to a refund of any money the applicant has paid to complete the record check. The card must list the name of the card holder and show a photograph of the card holder's face. The record check must be conducted each year for which a card has been issued. The applicant is responsible for payment covering the costs of the record check for each year in which the record check is conducted. A card expires on the second anniversary of its date of issuance unless it has been renewed. The bill specifies procedures by which the card may be renewed and imposes additional restrictions governing issuance, use, and cancellation of the card. All fees collected from issuance of the card are credited to the capitol identification card account, which is created within the existing legislative department cash fund. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) Read More
Section 1 of the bill limits the application of recent legislation prohibiting the offering of simulated gambling devices to exempt a bona fide nonprofit entity that holds a bingo-raffle license and that offers the use of electronic gaming machines. Section 2 makes a conforming change to the definition of a 'game of chance' in the laws governing bingo and raffles.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
The bill defines a traditional large and premium cigar, which is a type of tobacco product, for purposes of the excise tax on tobacco products. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Statutory Revision Committee. The 'State Employees Group Benefits Act' (act) authorizes the state personnel director (director) to enter into contracts with carriers to provide medical, dental, life, and disability benefits to state employees. The bill modifies several provisions of the act to bring it into compliance with current state and federal law and to eliminate obsolete provisions. Specifically, the bill: To bring the act into compliance with federal law, changes the definition of 'dependent' to include a child through the end of the month in which the child turns 26, eliminates the requirement that a child be a full-time student to be a dependent past the age of 19, eliminates the requirement that a child be unmarried to be a dependent, and eliminates the requirement that the employee be the major source of financial support or directed by a court to provide coverage for a child to be a dependent; Removes an employee's domestic partner from the definition of 'dependent' as the director has repealed rules allowing a person to submit documentation demonstrating a domestic partnership with an employee; Removes a reference to lifetime maximum benefit per employee or employee's covered dependents to bring the act into compliance with federal law; Eliminates a provision requiring the director to give written notice of intent to seek a contract with insurance carriers, and authorizes the director to make such announcement in a manner that he or she determines; Eliminates an obsolete provision that required the director to evaluate the feasibility of offering a high deductible health plan and to forward the findings of the evaluation to the general assembly by October 1, 2004; Eliminates an obsolete provision that specified the amount of the state's contribution for each employee enrolled in group benefit plans for the 2003 calendar year; and Eliminates a requirement that the director hold a public hearing prior to the acceptance of any proposal for a group benefit plan, as this requirement is not in compliance with the 'Procurement Code'.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Statutory Revision Committee. The bill removes or modernizes outdated statutory references to a 'legitimate' or 'illegitimate' child and a 'child born out of wedlock'. Colorado only recognizes parentage of a child and acknowledges that the parent and child relationship extends equally to every child and every parent, regardless of the marital status of the parents.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
An agreement among physicians may contain a covenant not to compete, under which a physician who leaves the group practice may be compelled to pay damages if he or she solicits patients who are former or prospective patients of the group practice. The bill makes an exception in the case of patients with a rare disorder, as determined in accordance with nationally recognized criteria, who would otherwise not have ready access to a physician with the necessary expertise to treat the disorder. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
The bill allows persons with the following retail licenses to purchase alcohol beverages from another retail licensee when there is common ownership between the licensees and the seller has surrendered its license within the last 60 days: Beer and wine; Hotel and restaurant; Tavern; Retail gaming tavern; Brew pub; Club; Arts nonprofit; Racetrack; Vintner's restaurant; Distillery pub; or Lodging and entertainment facility. The seller must return all alcohol beverages bought on credit, allow wholesalers 30 days to purchase back inventory, have paid all wholesale bills, and sell to only one licensed premises. A wholesaler is prohibited from transporting the inventory from the seller's premises to the buyer's premises. The seller may transport the inventory. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Current law requires each Colorado bank that engages in electronic funds transfers to provide certain protections to each "account holder", which is defined as a person having an established demand, savings, or loan account at a Colorado bank. The bill amends the law to require banks to provide such protections to each "consumer", which is defined as an individual who enters into a transaction primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
The bill creates a marijuana consumption club (club) license. The license is subject to the same licensing requirements as other retail marijuana licenses. The license may be issued to a person who operates an establishment where retail marijuana or retail marijuana products may be sold and consumed. The club's sales are limited to the same limits as a retail marijuana store. The club may not serve food prepared on site or alcohol. Entry to the club is restricted to those persons at least 21 years of age. A club shall purchase its retail marijuana or retail marijuana products from a licensed marijuana business or get a cultivation license and sell its own marijuana. A club may not permit outside marijuana or marijuana products. All retail marijuana or retail marijuana products must be consumed or disposed of on site. A club and its employees shall successfully complete a responsible vendor program annually. A club has the same immunity to a lawsuit for an injury caused by a club patron that a bar enjoys. The bill allows a local government to permit clubs in its jurisdiction. If a local government permits clubs, it shall adopt an approval or licensing requirement. In order to operate as a club, the club must comply with the local and state licensing regulations. A club is exempt from the 'Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act' for marijuana consumption purposes if it is fully ventilated. Public display, consumption, or use of marijuana in a club is not a criminal offense. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
Legislative Audit Committee. Under existing law, public administrators are required to maintain a $25,000 bond and file certain information and reports with the administrator's appointing court. Public administrators may appoint deputy public administrators. The bill increases the amount of bond public administrators are required to maintain to $100,000 and clarifies the following: That deputy public administrators are subject to the same statutory requirements as public administrators, including the bond requirement; The information about costs and fees that must be included in small estate statement of account filings by public administrators; and The form of annual reports that must be filed by public administrators and deputy public administrators.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
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