The act adopts the cosmetology licensure compact (compact) to facilitate the interstate practice and regulation of cosmetology. With the adoption of the compact, a cosmetologist who holds an active, unencumbered license to practice in the cosmetologist's home state may apply to the cosmetologist's home state for a multistate license. If a cosmetologist is granted a multistate license under the compact, the cosmetologist is authorized to practice cosmetology in the applicant's home state, as well as in each state that is a member of the compact. The cosmetologist must comply with the rules of the licensing authority and the scope of practice laws of the state in which the cosmetologist provides services. If the cosmetologist moves to a new home state, the cosmetologist must apply to the new home state for reissuance of a multistate license. Under the compact, active military members and their spouses may designate a home state where the individual is currently licensed in good standing to practice cosmetology and may retain their home state designation for purposes of the multistate license during any period when that individual or the individual's spouse is on active duty assignment. The compact requires a state that is a member of the compact (member state) to report adverse actions taken by a member state's licensing authority or other regulatory body, including actions taken against a cosmetologist's individual license or authorization to practice, such as revocation, suspension, or any other encumbrance on a license affecting the cosmetologist's ability to practice. The compact authorizes the cosmetology licensure compact commission (commission) to develop and maintain a coordinated database and reporting system to include information relating to a cosmetologist's multistate license and any adverse actions reported against a cosmetologist. The compact specifies the authority of the home state to act with respect to the multistate license issued by the home state, as well as the authority of a remote state to act with respect to the licensee. The compact creates the administrative structure for the compact, including granting the powers necessary to establish and operate the commission, which includes one delegate from each member state that is the administrator of the state licensing authority in the member state or the administrator's designee. Among other powers, the commission may adopt rules and bylaws, establish an executive committee, hire employees, and establish an office. The compact includes provisions relating to the conduct of the commission's meetings and its rule-making authority. The compact authorizes the commission to levy and collect an annual assessment from each member state and to impose fees on licensees of a member state for granting and renewing a multistate license. The compact includes provisions governing disputes among member states and between the commission and a member state, enforcement provisions, and withdrawal of member states from the compact. The compact is effective for member states once the seventh state has adopted the compact. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, $104,620 is appropriated from the division of professions and occupations cash fund to the department of regulatory agencies for use by the division of professions and occupations to implement the act. APPROVED by Governor June 4, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
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House Bill 22-1137, concerning practices of unit owners' associations, imposed a number of procedural requirements on unit owners' associations (HOAs) with respect to collecting payments from unit owners with delinquent accounts. The act changes some of these procedural requirements by: Removing a requirement that an HOA physically post notice of a unit owner's delinquent account on the unit owner's unit; In addition to sending notice by certified mail, requiring an HOA to contact a unit owner or designated contact by 2, rather than one, of certain described means; Authorizing an HOA to contact a unit owner or designated contact via telephone call to a telephone number that the HOA has on file for the unit owner or the unit owner's designated contact; and Allowing an HOA to charge a unit owner for the cost of sending notices or documentation by certified mail. The act also exempts time share units that are not occupied on a full-time basis from some of the procedural requirements imposed by House Bill 22-1137. APPROVED by Governor June 3, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The bill imposes a moratorium until June 30, 2025, during which the public employees' retirement association (PERA) is prohibited from including in its membership an employee of a third-party private entity that contracts with a public entity to perform services.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
The bill creates the Gadsden flag "Don't Tread on Me" license plate. In addition to the normal fees for a license plate, a person must pay 2 additional one-time fees of $25 for the issuance of the plate. One of these fees is credited to the highway users tax fund and the other is credited to the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account. Furthermore, an additional one-time fee of $25 will be collected and credited to the state charter school debt reserve fund in order to receive the Gadsden flag license plate.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
Section 1 of the bill amends a definition and adds new definitions under the electricians' practice act. In current law, an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license or a residential wireman's license must provide evidence of having certain minimum years of apprenticeship experience, accredited training, or practical experience. For the purpose of these requirements, section 3 allows an applicant to have a minimum of 8,000 hours, rather than 4 years, of apprenticeship experience and to have a minimum of 4,000 hours, rather than 2 years, of practical experience. Specifically, an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license must furnish written evidence that: The applicant has at least 4 years or 8,000 hours of apprenticeship in the electrical trade or 4 years or 8,000 hours of practical experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing electrical apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat, and power; and At least 2 years or 4,000 hours of the applicant's experience is in commercial, industrial, or substantially similar work. An applicant for a residential wireman's license must furnish written evidence that the applicant has at least 2 years of accredited training or 2 years or 4,000 hours of practical experience in wiring one-, two-, three-, and four-family dwellings. Current law allows an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license or a residential wireman's license to substitute for required practical experience evidence of academic training or practical experience in the electrical field. Section 2 allows an applicant to also substitute evidence of training in photovoltaic systems installation. However, section 2 also states that the state electrical board (board) may, but is no longer required to, provide work experience credit for academic training, including military training. Section 2 also allows an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license or a residential wireman's license to claim up to 4,000 hours of practical experience by working: As an individual who is certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) to install photovoltaic systems (NABCEP PV installation professional); or As an apprentice to an NABCEP PV installation professional, so long as the supervising NABCEP PV installation professional provides proof of employment and an affidavit attesting that the applicant earned the hours as an apprentice. For every 2 hours that an applicant works as described, the applicant may claim one hour of practical experience until July 1, 2029. Under current law, for all applicants seeking work experience credit toward licensure, the board gives credit for electrical work that is not required to be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed electrician if the applicant can show that the particular experience received or the supervision under which the work has been performed is adequate. Section 3 states the board may give such credit but is not required to do so. Section 4 requires that, for an apprentice who holds an active residential wireman license, an electrical contractor, an apprenticeship program, or a state apprenticeship agency that employs the apprentice must report qualifying years or hours of work experience only for commercial, industrial, or substantially similar work. Section 4 also ensures that an individual who possesses an active residential wireman or master electrician license is not required to take the journeyman electrician license examination. Section 4 also allows an apprentice to request an exemption from the board from future examination requirements, regardless of whether the apprentice has failed to pass the license examination in 2 consecutive 3-year periods. Section 5 requires the department of regulatory agencies (DORA) to: Uphold the rules and regulations of the current edition of the national electrical code, including applying the code to all equipment from the point at which service transformers generate voltage to usable systems for consumers, including all associated wiring; risers, whether overhead or underground; and metering systems; Cooperate with utility companies to maintain safe clearances and safe working distances for the utilities based on the current edition of the national electrical code; and Allow each utility to install its proper metering equipment with the assistance of qualified electrical personnel. Section 5 also states that all electrical equipment is subject to inspection by an authority having jurisdiction to conduct electrical inspections. Under current law, the contract for any public works project that does not receive federal money in an amount of $1,000,000 or more must require the general contractor or other firm to which the contract is awarded to submit, at the time the mechanical, electrical, or plumbing subcontractor is put under contract, documentation to the agency of government that certifies that all firms identified participate in apprenticeship programs registered with the United States department of labor's office of apprenticeship or a state apprenticeship agency recognized by the United States department of labor (registered apprenticeship program) and have a proven record of graduating apprentices. Section 6 states that for the purposes of this requirement, an apprentice who has obtained a residential wireman, journeyman electrician, or master electrician license while enrolled in a registered apprenticeship program is considered a graduate. Section 7 removes, effective July 1, 2029, language that, for photovoltaic installations with a direct current design capacity of less than 300 kilowatts, allows the performance of all photovoltaic electrical work, the installation of photovoltaic modules, and the installation of photovoltaic module mounting equipment to be subject to on-site supervision by a certified photovoltaic energy practitioner designated by the NABCEP. Section 7 also removes language: Stating that neither the public utilities commission nor a utility has responsibility for monitoring or enforcing compliance with statutory requirements concerning solar photovoltaic installations (installations); Requiring an applicant for funding or for an initial contract proposal for an installation (applicant) to obtain certain information; and Requiring a qualifying retail utility to obtain from an applicant and retain, for at least one year after completion of an installation, copies of all documentation submitted by the applicant in connection with the installation. Section 7 also states that, as used in the context of photovoltaic electrical work, for ground-mounted systems, "grounding" includes the wiring of bonding jumpers and grounding conductors. "Grounding" does not include work related to the racking assembly, racking construction, or the physical mounting of modules.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)
The act creates the Colorado adult high school program (program) in the office responsible for adult education within the department of education (department). The purpose of the program is to create a pathway for Coloradans who are 21 years of age or older and do not have a high school diploma to attend high school and earn a diploma at no cost. Students may also earn industry-recognized certificates, career and technical education certificates, or college credits at no cost through the program. The act requires the department to award a grant to a Colorado community-based nonprofit organization (organization) to operate the program as an education provider. The education provider is required to: Secure and maintain a building for the program; Contribute funding annually for operating and facility costs; Hire educators and school personnel, including life coaches who help students navigate academic and personal challenges; Propose an academic accountability system with the approval of the department; Establish minimum graduation requirements; Award Colorado high school diplomas to students who successfully complete the graduation requirements; Use an evidence-based educational model that a third-party evaluator has proven effective; Develop courses that may be offered to student in person; Develop online courses for students who take classes in person and demonstrate academic readiness for remote course work; Consult with a nonprofit organization that has successfully implemented an evidence-based educational model for adults in another state; Serve all students, regardless of immigration status; Enroll no more than 400 students at one time; Comply with state and federal laws concerning students with disabilities, including students with accommodations pursuant to section 504 of the federal "Rehabilitation Act of 1973"; Create individualized education programs for students with disabilities; Collaborate with local district colleges, community colleges, area technical colleges, or local career and technical education programs to ensure access to courses that can lead students to graduate with industry-recognized certificates; Fund industry-recognized and career and technical certificate programs at no cost to students; Create a plan in collaboration with institutions of higher education to authorize teachers to teach courses for students to obtain college credit and to align teacher qualification requirements with the state concurrent enrollment program; Operate a licensed, on-site child care center for students with children; and Offer transportation assistance to students who enroll in the program. The department is required to establish a fair and transparent application process in order to select an organization to operate the program. The application process must include input from the office within the department responsible for adult education. On or before July 31, 2025, July 31, 2026, and March 30, 2027 the education provider is required to report to the department on the status of the program. On or before November 30, 2025, November 30, 2026, and June 30, 2027, the department is required to report the status of the program to the house of representatives education committee and the senate education committee, or their successor committees, including but not limited to: Student demographic data disaggregated by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, gender, and disability; Accountability measure outcomes; and The number of industry-recognized certificates, college credits, and overall average credit attainment that students earn each term. The program repeals July 1, 2027. The act appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the department for the program and for legal services. APPROVED by Governor June 6, 2023 EFFECTIVE June 6, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
For the career development success program (program), the act removes the requirement for successful completion of a qualified industry pre-apprenticeship program and the requirement for successful completion of a qualified industry apprenticeship. The act adds boards of cooperative services to the program. Current law requires the general assembly to annually appropriate $1 million to the department of education for the program. Beginning in the 2023-24 budget year, and each budget year thereafter, the act increase the appropriation to $9.5 million. The act requires a school district or charter school participating in the program to receive 120% of the per-pupil amount for each pupil who is eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and who successfully earned an industry certificate by completing a qualified industry-credential program, a qualified workplace training program, or a qualified advanced placement course. The act authorizes a participating school district or participating charter school to contract with a third party to provide specified services under the program. The act extends the repeal date from September 1, 2024, to September 1, 2034. APPROVED by Governor May 16, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
The act establishes the universal high school scholarship program (program) in the office of economic development (office) to provide scholarships for the 2024-25 academic year to students who pursue an in-demand or high-priority postsecondary pathway, including degrees, certificates, and registered apprenticeships, with a provider on the eligible training provider lists disseminated by the department of labor and employment, a provider in the Colorado state apprenticeship resource directory, a public or private institution of higher education operating in Colorado, or an organization approved by the office (service providers). The office, or a vendor contracted by the office, administers the program. The office shall develop policies and procedures necessary to administer the program. A student is eligible for the program if the student graduated from a Colorado high school or was awarded a high school equivalency credential during the 2023-24 academic year; completes the free application for federal student aid or the Colorado application for state financial aid; and did not receive a grant from the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative. Scholarships are awarded in the following priority: First, to all eligible students who intend to enroll at a service provider to pursue an in-demand or high-priority postsecondary pathway, then to other eligible students who intend to enroll at a service provider. The office or vendor determines the amount of each scholarship award, up to a maximum $1,500. Scholarship money is distributed to the service provider for use by the student for tuition, fees, and books. The act requires the office to contract with vendors to provide postsecondary and career advising at schools identified by the office. The office shall make efforts to identify a diversity of schools in rural and urban areas of the state to receive postsecondary advising support. The act requires the state treasurer to transfer $25 million from the general fund to the universal high school scholarship cash fund (cash fund). The act appropriates $25 million from the cash fund to the office of the governor for the program. APPROVED by Governor May 16, 2023 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2023 NOTE: This act was passed without a safety clause and takes effect 90 days after sine die. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)