Rep. Meghan Lukens

Current law requires that the owner of a groundwater well (well) permit file any change in name or contact information with the state engineer in person, by mail, or by fax. The act removes the requirement that the filing be in person, by mail, or by fax. Current law requires the buyers of certain wells to complete a change in owner name form before the closing of the transaction. The act removes the requirement that the form be submitted before the closing of the transaction. The act clarifies that if an existing well being sold has not been registered with the division of water resources (division), the buyer of the well must submit a registration of existing well form to the division within 63 days after closing the transaction. Current law states that the division is responsible for obtaining the necessary well registration information from the buyer after the purchase of a well. The act removes this requirement and clarifies that a person who provides a closing service in connection with the purchase of a well must submit a change in owner name form for the well to the division, even if the well has not yet been registered with the division. If a change in owner name form does not include a well permit number, the act requires the division to instruct the buyer of a well to complete a new change in owner name form or registration of existing well form and requires the buyer to submit the applicable form to the division. APPROVED by Governor March 31, 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 high cost support mechanism provides high cost support funding to telecommunications and broadband service providers that provide service in high-cost areas of the state. The high cost support mechanism was scheduled to conclude on December 1, 2023. The act continues support funding from the high cost support mechanism to 12 rural telecommunications providers in Colorado until September 1, 2024. The date aligns with the department of regulatory agencies' 2023 sunset review of the high cost support mechanism and the final determination of the high cost support mechanism by the general assembly in 2024. APPROVED by Governor March 23, 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 office of future of work (OFW) was created in the department of labor and employment (department) by executive order of the governor in 2019 to respond to the changing nature of work in the state. The act creates the OFW in statute and expands the duties of the OFW. The purpose of the OFW is to: Identify opportunities for Colorado's communities to transition effectively to emerging industries; Ensure the inclusion of key stakeholders and engage partnerships across public and private sectors; Host, organize, and convene task forces, summits, and other appropriate meetings with diverse stakeholders, designed to improve the state's understanding of the social and economic impacts of the changing nature of work; Explore ways that the state can prepare for current and future impacts, including through the modernization of worker benefits and protections, the development of a skilled and resilient workforce through coordination of registered apprenticeship programs, and the identification of new policy and program solutions; and Undertake studies, research, and factual reports related to issues of concern and importance to Colorado's future workforce. The executive director of the department is required to submit a report to the governor, at least once per calendar year, that includes recommendations for potential policy initiatives. In 2021, House Bill 21-1007 created the state apprenticeship agency (SAA) in the department. The act amends provisions governing the SAA to enable the United States department of labor's office of apprenticeship to recognize Colorado's state apprenticeship agency and authorize the SAA to register and oversee apprenticeship programs. To conform with regulations promulgated by the United States secretary of labor under the federal "National Apprenticeship Act", the act: Modifies references to apprenticeships in Colorado statutes; Directs the SAA to establish the state apprenticeship council (SAC) to provide advice and guidance to the SAA; Creates the committee for apprenticeship in the building and construction trades (CABCT) as a subcommittee of the SAC to advise the SAA on registered apprenticeship programs for the building and construction trades in the state; and Changes the name of the interagency advisory committee on apprenticeship to the committee for apprenticeship in new and emerging industries (CANEI), designated as a subcommittee of the SAC and tasked with advising the SAA on apprenticeship programs that are not within the jurisdiction of the CABCT. The bill allows the general assembly to appropriate money from the general fund or any other available source to the department to pay for the OFW to carry out the duties specified in the act. The OFW is also authorized to seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations to fund its duties. APPROVED by Governor March 23, 2023 EFFECTIVE March 23, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act creates the "Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact," which is designed to make it easier for teachers from member states, especially active military members and eligible military spouses, to receive a teacher's license from other member states. The compact becomes effective when 10 or more states enact it. APPROVED by Governor March 10, 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.)