Joint Budget Committee. The bill authorizes the broadband deployment board to apply for federal funding of broadband deployment and allocate any federal money received to broadband deployment projects approved by the board. The bill also directs the board 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 through the FCC's connect America fund phase II auction to allow the board to apply for the federal auction money.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.) , Read More
Section 1 of the bill specifies that the short title of the act is the 'Protect Act'. Current law specifies that local governments have powers, commonly called 'House Bill 1041' powers, which are a type of land use authority, over oil and gas mineral extraction areas only if the Colorado oil and gas conservation commission has designated a specific area as an area of state interest; sections 3 and 4 repeal that limitation. Section 5 includes specific authority to regulate the siting of oil and gas facilities in counties' existing land use authority. Section 6 makes the same changes with regard to municipalities' existing land use authority. Sections 7 and 8 specify that the Colorado oil and gas conservation commission's authority to regulate oil and gas operations, including the siting of oil and gas facilities, does not exempt an oil and gas facility from a local government's siting authority and that an oil and gas operator must ensure that the location of an oil and gas facility complies with city, town, county, or city and county siting regulations. Sections 5, 6, and 8 specify that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the governing body of a municipality and a board of county commissioners may, in order to protect the public safety, health, and welfare of the citizens of the local government, plan, zone, and refuse to allow oil and gas operations. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) Read More
The bill amends the 'Colorado Food and Drug Act' to require a retailer to indicate the country of origin for beef sold to the public. The bill only applies to retailers who sell beef that has not been manufactured, cured, smoked, cooked, or processed. The bill authorizes the department of public health and environment to promulgate rules to implement the bill. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
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Under current law, the accreditation for school districts and the state charter school institute (institute) and the level of performance for public schools is based on the attainment of specified performance indicators. The bill creates an additional performance indicator that measures the degree to which a public school, a school district, or the institute provides access to courses or educational programs in dance, drama and theater, music, and visual arts. The state board of education must adopt rules by which a public school, a school district, or the institute will receive additional credit toward the accreditation or performance ratings based on the arts performance indicator.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
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The bill prohibits an employer from requiring any person, as a condition of employment, to become or remain a member of a labor organization or to pay dues, fees, or other assessments to a labor organization or to a charity organization or other third party in lieu of the labor organization. Any agreement that violates these prohibitions or the rights of an employee is void. The bill creates civil and criminal penalties for violations and authorizes the attorney general and the district attorney in each judicial district to investigate alleged violations and take action against a person believed to be in violation. The bill states that all-union agreements are unfair labor practices. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) Read More
Current law prohibits the use of wireless telephones while driving for individuals who are younger than 18 years of age. The bill: Extends the prohibition to drivers of all ages; Increases the penalty for minor drivers from $50 per violation to $300 per violation, to match the penalty that currently applies to adult drivers; Extends the existing prohibition of the use of wireless telephones to include all mobile electronic devices; Creates an exception to the prohibition of the use of mobile electronic devices for adult drivers who use a mobile electronic device through the use of a hands-free device; and Repeals a sentence enhancement for a violation that causes a bodily injury or death.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) Read More
Current law requires every driver of and every front-seat passenger in a motor vehicle equipped with a safety belt system to wear a fastened safety belt while the motor vehicle is being operated. The bill extends this requirement to every passenger in a motor vehicle. Current law provides that a law enforcement officer may not cite a driver of a motor vehicle for a failure to wear a safety belt unless the driver was stopped for a different alleged traffic violation. The bill repeals this limitation, allowing a law enforcement officer to stop and cite a driver solely for a failure to wear a safety belt.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
For the fiscal year 2017-18 and each fiscal year thereafter, the general fund reserve required by law is currently equal to 6.5% of the amount appropriated for expenditure from the general fund. The bill increases the general fund reserve to: 7% for the fiscal year 2018-19; 7.5% for the fiscal year 2019-20; and 8% for the fiscal year 2020-21 and each fiscal year thereafter.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More
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