Rep. Dan Nordberg

Current law prohibits an establishment that is licensed to sell malt, vinous, or spirituous liquors from having an automated teller machine on the premises from which individuals enrolled in public assistance programs administered by the department of human services may obtain cash benefits through the electronic benefits transfer service. The bill exempts liquor-licensed drugstores from this prohibition. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill requires the state department of human services (state department) and county departments of human or social services (county departments) to provide notice and to collect and share information with the command authority of national military installations regarding any report received of known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect in which the person having custody or control of the child is a member of the armed forces or a spouse, or a significant other or family member residing in the home of the member of the armed forces assigned to that military installation. The state department and county departments may enter into memorandums of understanding with military installations establishing protocols for the sharing of information and for collaboration on the investigations into child abuse or neglect by a member of the armed forces or a spouse, or a significant other or family member residing in the home of the member of the armed forces. The state board of human services shall promulgate rules related to the collection and sharing of information. The bill allows designated authorities at the military base of assignment or installation for the member of the armed forces or a spouse, or a significant other or family member residing in the home of the member of the armed forces to have access to reports of child abuse or neglect. Reports of known or suspected child abuse or neglect must include the military affiliation of any person who has custody or control of the child who is the subject of the investigation of child abuse or neglect, if such individual is a member of the armed forces or a spouse, or a significant other or family member residing in the home of the member of the armed forces. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Current law prohibits an employee of a tavern or lodging and entertainment facility who is under 21 years of age from selling malt, vinous, or spirituous liquors. The bill permits a licensed tavern or lodging and entertainment facility that regularly serves meals to allow an employee who is at least 18 years of age but under 21 years of age to sell malt, vinous, or spirituous liquors if the employee is supervised on-site by a person who is at least 21 years of age. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Current law states that it is a discriminatory and unfair labor practice for an employer to discharge, discipline, discriminate against, coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any employee or other person because the employee inquired about, disclosed, compared, or otherwise discussed the employee's wages, unless otherwise permitted by federal law. Federal law exempts certain limited classes of employers from labor laws. The bill strikes the reference to that exemption and extends the current law to those classes of employers, thereby providing wage transparency protections to all employees.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Legislative Audit Committee. The bill clarifies the criteria and requirements in connection with the assignment of a state-owned motor vehicle (vehicle) to a state agency or to an officer or employee of a state agency. Assignment of vehicles to a state agency. Current law permits the division of central services in the department of personnel (division) to permanently assign a vehicle to a state agency. The bill clarifies that the assignment of a vehicle to a state agency is authorized only when the state agency's use of the vehicle is likely to meet the minimum required mileage for the vehicle's intended work function or if the state agency can justify the need for permanent assignment of the vehicle because of its unique use. The bill also clarifies the conditions under which the division must revoke the assignment of the vehicle to a state agency. Assignment of vehicles to an officer or employee of a state agency. Current law also permits a state agency to assign a vehicle to an officer or employee of the state agency under certain circumstances. The bill specifies that for purposes of the assignment of a vehicle to an officer or employee of a state agency, 'state agency' does not include the judicial and legislative branches of state government, any state institution of higher education, or the Auraria higher education center, and that 'state agency' does include the state board of stock inspection commissioners. Pursuant to current law, a state agency may assign a vehicle to an officer or employee when the executive director of the state agency determines that it would promote a legitimate nonpartisan state interest, promote the efficient operation of the state motor vehicle fleet, and is cost-effective to the state agency. The bill eliminates the current criteria and specifies that a state agency may assign a vehicle to an officer or employee of the state agency for business and commuting only if: Assignment of the vehicle is necessary to conduct official and legitimate state business; The vehicle meets the federal internal revenue service (IRS) definition of qualified nonpersonal use, or assignment of the vehicle is the most cost-efficient means of transportation to the state agency; and Assignment of the vehicle complies with any additional criteria established in rules adopted by the department of personnel. The bill requires the executive director of a state agency or their designee to authorize the assignment of a vehicle in writing and submit the authorization and any supporting documentation to the director of the division for review. The bill requires the director of the division or the state controller, as applicable, to review any assignment of a vehicle to an officer or employee of the state agency. The director of the division or the state controller is required to verify that the state agency's assignment of a vehicle complies with state and federal law. If the review establishes that the assignment of a vehicle does not comply with state and federal law, the division is required to revoke the assignment of the vehicle. Currently, any state officer or employee who has an assigned vehicle is required to reimburse the state for the use of the vehicle at a rate computed by the division. The bill eliminates the reimbursement provision and specifies that when an officer or employee is assigned a vehicle because it is the most cost-efficient means of transportation to the state agency, the officer or employee is required to pay income tax on the value of the fringe benefit of the vehicle. The bill requires the state controller to calculate and report as income the value of the vehicle's fringe benefit in accordance with IRS regulations. The division is required to establish a program and adopt rules providing for annual verification by the director of the division or the state controller that the assignment of each state-owned motor vehicle to an officer or employee of a state agency still complies with the requirements of state and federal law. The review is required for all assigned vehicles, regardless of when they were assigned. If the verification process establishes that the assignment of a vehicle does not comply with state and federal law, the division is required to revoke the assignment of the vehicle. On or before September 1, 2019, the department of personnel is required to report to the legislative audit committee regarding the implementation and enforcement of the bill. The department may make recommendations regarding further modifications to the criteria and requirements for the assignment of vehicles to officers and employees of state agencies for business and commuting purposes. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Statutory Revision Committee. Pursuant to section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), any report that is required to be made to the general assembly or the judicial branch on a periodic basis expires on the day after the third anniversary of the date on which the first report was due unless the general assembly, acting by bill, continues the requirement. The bill continues indefinitely a reporting requirement of the board of veterans affairs.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

In 2004 and 2006, the general assembly enacted legislation that required each employer in the public employees' retirement association (PERA) to make additional contributions to PERA. The additional employer contributions are the amortization equalization disbursement (AED) and a supplemental amortization equalization disbursement (SAED). Although the SAED is an employer contribution, it is funded by money that would otherwise be available for employee salary increases. The AED and the SAED are to reduce PERA's unfunded liability and amortization period. Both the AED and the SAED increase gradually over time for all PERA divisions. In 2010, the general assembly capped the AED and the SAED for the judicial division and the local government division at the 2010 levels, which for the AED is 2.20% of the employer's total payroll and for the SAED is 1.50% of the employer's total payroll. For the calendar year beginning in 2019, for the judicial division only, the bill increases the AED to 3.40% of total payroll and requires the AED payment to increase by 0.4% of total payroll at the start of each of the following 4 calendar years through 2023. In addition, for the calendar year beginning in 2019, for the judicial division only, the bill increases the SAED to 3.40% of total payroll and requires the SAED payment to increase by 0.4% of total payroll at the start of each of the following 4 calendar years through 2023. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Statutory Revision Committee. Pursuant to section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), Colorado Revised Statutes, any report that is required to be made to the general assembly by an executive agency or the judicial branch on a periodic basis expires on the day after the third anniversary of the date on which the first report was due unless the general assembly, acting by bill, continues the requirement. The bill addresses the reporting requirements of higher education agencies. Section 3 of the bill repeals a report that was scheduled to repeal according to section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I). Currently there is no repeal date listed in the organic statute. Sections 1 through 16 of the bill amend the organic statute to continue indefinitely the reporting requirements to send a report to the general assembly notwithstanding the repeal date specified in section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I).(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

The bill creates a task force to organize county-level versions of and guidelines for child welfare caseworker resiliency programs (task force) modeled on national resiliency programs. The membership of the task force is outlined, along with its duties and reporting requirements. The task force is repealed, effective September 1, 2018. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)