Rep. Steven Woodrow

Previously, money in the diseased livestock indemnity fund could be used only to pay indemnity to a livestock owner whose herd had been sold for slaughter or destroyed because the herd was exposed to or diagnosed with an infectious or contagious disease. The act expands the permissible uses of the money in the diseased livestock indemnity fund by allowing the commissioner of agriculture to authorize using the money to prepare for and respond to certain emerging threats to livestock health.     The act renames the fund the 'livestock health preparedness, response, and diseased livestock indemnity fund' to reflect the expanded scope of the permissible uses of money in the fund.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Maddy summaryThis bill reappoints Kerri L. Hunter as Colorado's State Auditor for a five-year term from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2031. The reappointment follows a unanimous recommendation from the Legislative Audit Committee, which reviews candidates for the position based on qualifications and experience. Under Colorado law, the General Assembly appoints the State Auditor, and this resolution formally approves Hunter's continued service after her initial term ended in 2026. The measure directly affects the State Auditor's office by extending its leadership while maintaining the existing appointment process.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates March 8, 2026, as International Women's Day in Colorado and acknowledges the historical and ongoing contributions of women to society. It recognizes women's achievements across various fields, including politics, business, and social movements, while highlighting Colorado's early history of women's suffrage and female leadership in state government. The resolution encourages continued celebration of this day and commits the legislature to supporting policies that promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

The bill prohibits local and state law enforcement officers from concealing their identity while interacting with the public, with certain exceptions.The bill clarifies state criminal jurisdiction to cover criminal conduct committed by a federal law enforcement officer in the state, even if the officer was acting under color of federal authority. Federal criminal immunity or defense from prosecution does not prohibit state criminal prosecution of a federal law enforcement officer.The bill requires the peace officer standards and training board (P.O.S.T. board) to deny certification to an individual who has previously been employed or who is currently employed by the United States immigration and customs enforcement agency or the United States customs and border protection agency.The bill requires the P.O.S.T. board to prescribe a training for all current and future peace officers regarding immigration law, a peace officer's duty to intervene, excessive force policies, and a peace officer's jurisdictional limit.A peace officer is required to intervene to prevent a federal law enforcement officer from using excessive force.The bill expands the conduct that can constitute the crime of impersonating a peace officer to include a person performing a law enforcement act while concealing the person's identity.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summaryThis bill approves specific updates to eligibility lists for two Colorado water funding programs. It adds new drinking water projects (like Delta County's distribution system) and modifies existing entries (such as adding "green infrastructure" to Loveland's project), while deleting completed projects (like Kiowa's). These changes determine which local water districts, municipalities, and property associations can access financial assistance from the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. The bill does not create new funding rules but formally adopts the Commission's proposed list adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Joint Resolution expresses Colorado's legislative support for maintaining national public lands under federal stewardship and opposes efforts that would reduce public access or weaken environmental review laws. The resolution specifically targets potential erosion of bedrock federal laws like NEPA and FLPMA, which require public input and balanced resource management. It calls on state and federal officials to defend statutory safeguards that ensure public lands serve broad public benefits rather than narrow special interests. This non-binding resolution does not change any laws but serves as a formal statement of legislative intent and values regarding public land management.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution honors Bob Holder, a wildlife manager from Colorado who has dedicated 50 years to protecting wildlife resources in southern Colorado. The measure formally recognizes his contributions to conservation efforts, including his work with black bear education, wildlife enforcement, and habitat preservation through land acquisitions and conservation easements. The resolution expresses gratitude for his service and directs that a copy be sent to Holder as a token of appreciation upon his retirement.

Maddy summarySJR 11 is a commemorative resolution designating a specific segment of U.S. Highway 34 (between Wilson Ave. and North County Rd. 23H) as the "Sgt. John 'Jack' Thurman Memorial Highway" in honor of a World War II Marine Corps veteran. The bill, which has no policy or funding provisions, simply names the highway section to recognize Sergeant Thurman's service at Iwo Jima, his military awards, and his post-war contributions as an architect and community leader in Colorado. It authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to accept donations for signage and explore maintenance agreements with local governments. This is a ceremonial designation with no direct impact on residents or new laws.

The bill imposes certain requirements on persons engaged in campaign consulting services, which are professional services to promote the election, retention, recall, or defeat of a candidate. Campaign consultants and consulting firms are not allowed to knowingly:Represent an interest adverse to their client without first obtaining the written consent of the client after full disclosure; Provide campaign consulting services in support of opposing candidates in the same election without first obtaining the written consent of both candidates after full disclosure; or Disclose, to provide material benefit to an opposing candidate in the same election, confidential information that relates to a candidate on behalf of whom the consultant or consulting firm provided campaign consulting services and that was gained in the course of the campaign consulting for that candidate.     An aggrieved person may file a civil suit alleging a violation of these requirements.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The act establishes a first and preferred opportunity for available employment for coal transition workers in coal transition communities (hiring preference). A business entity located in a coal transition community that is engaged in the business of constructing or operating railroads, utilities, energy generation facilities, or advanced manufacturing facilities (covered business) is required to comply with the hiring preference. A covered business does not include the state government or a local government.     A covered business is required to make good faith efforts to provide a hiring preference to a coal transition worker who meets the qualifications for an employment position (qualified coal transition worker). A covered business may hire an individual who is not a qualified coal transition worker only if a qualified coal transition worker did not apply for employment with the covered business, each qualified coal transition worker declined a job offer from a covered business, or a qualified coal transition worker's qualifications did not meet the qualifications of other candidates for the same job.     If a qualified coal transition worker applies for employment with a covered business, the covered business is required to report specified information annually to the just transition office. The executive director is required to adopt policies and procedures to implement the act. A hiring preference does not apply if a covered business places an existing employee in another employment position with the covered business or to the extent that a hiring preference conflicts with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement that applies to the relationship between a covered business and its employees.     Currently, a public entity is not allowed to invest public funds in certain types of investments, such as equity instruments, instruments convertible to equity, or equity interests, or to deposit public funds with any person except certain depository institutions, which are primarily banks. The act authorizes a public entity to deposit or invest, either directly or through an investment firm or other third party authorized by the public entity, public funds from a payment or settlement that the public entity has received to offset the socioeconomic impacts to a community or government from the closure of a coal mine or coal power generating station in any investment permitted by an investment policy approved by the public entity.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)