Rep. Richard Holtorf

The act creates the agriculture and drought resiliency fund (fund), directs the state treasurer to transfer $3 million from the general fund to the fund, and appropriates the money from the fund to the department of agriculture (department). The department will use the fund to anticipate, prepare for, mitigate, adapt to, or respond to any event, trend, or climatological disturbance related to drought or climate. The department will distribute $15,000 from the fund to each conservation district by July 1, 2021. The fund is repealed, effective September 1, 2022.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act allows Colorado residents who display a purple heart special license plate free entrance to any state park or recreation area, not including campgrounds, on any day of the year that such park or area is open.The act also allows a Colorado resident to acquire a free transferable annual state parks pass by presenting the same documents required for a purple heart special license plate at a regional office or the central office of the division of parks and wildlife, or at any other locations the division determines. Thus, Colorado residents who have received a purple heart will be able to obtain free access to state parks without acquiring a purple heart special license plate.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The act changes the names of the following colleges:Trinidad state junior college to Trinidad state college; and Otero junior college to Otero college.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

The bill creates the Colorado bipartisan election commission (commission) in the department of state, a 5-member panel whose main function is to make recommendations to the secretary of state (secretary) and the general assembly concerning the manner in which a comprehensive audit of the state's election processes is to be conducted. The bill specifies requirements relating to the qualifications of persons appointed to the commission and the operation of the commission. The commission is to determine such matters as the scope of the audit, the matters to be audited, and the procedures that will guide the audit. The bill also requires the commission to consider whether an audit should consider additional issues specified in the bill. The commission is required to prepare a report summarizing its findings and conclusions by December 1, 2021. The report must include the commission's recommendation on the manner in which a comprehensive audit of the state's election processes must be conducted. The commission may also include in its report any recommendations for changes in the Colorado Revised Statutes or the election rules of the secretary of state that will facilitate the administration of secure and fair elections in the state. The commission is required to submit its report to the secretary, the legislative audit committee, and the general assembly. The commission is repealed September 1, 2022. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The bill requires, whenever possible, that a report of known or suspected child abuse or neglect made by a public school official or employee includes information as to whether the child who is the subject of the report has an individualized education program (IEP), as defined in statute. Unless the child is in imminent danger of child abuse or neglect, prior to reporting the suspected child abuse or neglect, a public school official or employee shall request an immediate advisory meeting concerning the child with a least one person who is a primary teacher or special education teacher of the child, if applicable, to share information concerning the child and any IEP or safety plan for the child. Public school officials or employees are encouraged to provide a child's IEP with any report of suspected child abuse or neglect made by a public school official or employee. The bill authorizes the state board of human services to adopt rules to include a notation or flag in a report or inquiry that the child who is the subject of the report or inquiry has been identified as a child who is neuroatypical. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The bill limits the duration of a state of disaster emergency declared by the governor to 60 days unless the general assembly, by adopting a joint resolution, extends the duration of the state of disaster emergency or authorizes the governor to extend the duration of the state of disaster emergency for a period or subject to conditions specified in the joint resolution.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The bill creates a temporary income tax credit for landlords in an amount equal to the amount of rental payments owed, but not paid, to a landlord by persons who, if not for a governmental moratorium, the landlord would have initiated an action against to terminate their tenancy, other estate at will, or lease due to the late payment of rental payments. Any part of the income tax credit that is not used may be carried forward for a 5-year period but may not be refunded.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

The act implements the recommendations of the department of regulatory agencies in its sunset review and report of the licensing of egg dealers by: Extending the program for 11 years, until September 1, 2031; Adding the regulation of non-chicken eggs from avian species and authorizing the commissioner of agriculture to adopt rules specifying how non-chicken eggs will be regulated; and Changing the fund where civil penalties are deposited from the inspection and consumer services cash fund to the general fund.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)