Sen. Mike Weissman

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 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 act broadens the definition of 'ranch' for purposes of property taxation to mean a parcel of land that is predominantly used for grazing livestock for the primary purpose of obtaining a monetary profit. A ranch must operate through a pasture-based operation, which is newly defined as a method of livestock management where pasture-grazed livestock have regular access to open pasture and derive a majority of their diet through grazing.     The act also broadens the definition of 'farm' for purposes of property taxation to mirror the predominant use language in the definition of 'ranch'. With this change, a farm means a parcel of land that is predominantly used to produce agricultural products that originate from the land's productivity for the primary purpose of obtaining a monetary profit.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Section 1 of the bill amends and relocates the current requirements for notification to the attorney general regarding certain mergers, acquisitions, or transfers of securities or assets. Current law prohibits the attorney general from charging a party to a merger a fee connected with filing of the merger or a fee for providing additional information regarding the merger. The bill allows the attorney general to charge each filing party a reasonable fee, not to exceed $5,000. Section 1 also requires that the parties to a merger, acquisition, or contracting affiliation of one or more health-care entities (material change transaction) comply with specified notice requirements at least 60 days before the closing of the material change transaction. If the material change transaction requires the filing of a premerger notification with the federal trade commission or the United States department of justice pursuant to the federal "Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976", the parties shall also submit notice to the attorney general. If the terms of the material change transaction are altered following the submission of the written notice to the attorney general, the parties must provide notice to the attorney general of the alteration.The attorney general may deem information and materials provided in compliance with the notice requirements as public records subject to disclosure under the "Colorado Open Records Act". Section 1 also prohibits a material change transaction if the material change transaction may substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly or may harm consumer welfare. A party to a material change transaction shall not close the material change transaction until specified conditions are met. Sections 3 through 9 amend the current requirements for transactions that involve licensed hospitals and are subject to notice requirements to the attorney general (covered transactions) by:Including in the definition of a "covered transaction" a transaction that would result in the sale, transfer, lease, exchange, or other disposition of the management, control, or operations of a hospital;Requiring parties to a covered transaction to include, in the notice to the attorney general of the transaction, a statement describing the charitable missions of each nonprofit entity entering into the covered transaction and the services provided by each nonprofit entity in furtherance of the nonprofit entity's charitable purposes and charitable missions;Specifying that if a covered transaction will not result in a material change in the charitable purposes, charitable missions, or services provided in furtherance of the charitable purposes or missions of a nonprofit entity entering into the covered transaction, and will not result in a termination of the attorney general's jurisdiction over the charitable assets due to a transfer of a material amount of those assets outside of the state of Colorado, the parties may proceed with the covered transaction without additional review by the attorney general. The attorney general may perform specified actions to review, and use specified criteria to determine, whether the covered transaction will result in a material change.Authorizing the attorney general to exercise their common law authority to assess and review or challenge a covered transaction that will result in a material change in the charitable purposes, charitable missions, or services provided in furtherance of the charitable purposes or missions of a nonprofit entity entering into the covered transaction or will result in a termination of the attorney general's jurisdiction over the charitable assets due to a transfer of a material amount of those assets outside of the state of Colorado;Adding specified information to the notice requirements for covered transactions in which the parties involved in the transaction are all for-profit entities; andCreating notice requirements for and attorney general review of covered transactions involving a for-profit hospital and a nonprofit entity. Section 10 requires that, if certain health-care providers refer a patient to an entity for health-care services and the provider, or an immediate family member of the provider, has a financial relationship with the entity, the provider shall disclose the nature of the financial relationship to the patient at the time of the referral. The attorney general is required to study the effect of these provisions and the impact the provisions have on consumer knowledge and costs and submit a report on the findings of the study. Sections 11 through 30 make conforming amendments.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Maddy summarySJR 4 designates September 20-26, 2026, as "Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Awareness Week" in Colorado. This symbolic resolution recognizes FTD - a terminal, incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting speech, behavior, and motor skills - and aims to increase public awareness of the condition. It directly supports Coloradans living with FTD, their families, and advocacy groups like the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, which focuses on research and care. The bill has no funding or regulatory provisions, as it is purely a recognition measure.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 3) designates March as "Arts Education Month" in Colorado. It does not create new laws or funding but symbolically recognizes the importance of arts education (including dance, music, theater, and visual arts) for students' development and academic success. The resolution aligns Colorado with national observances in March and acknowledges the state's lack of data on arts education access and the need to expand equitable opportunities. It is a non-binding recognition, sent to the Governor and State Board of Education, with no direct policy changes or requirements for schools.

Maddy summaryHJR 1018 designates the 61-mile stretch of State Highway 86 through Elbert County, Colorado, as the "Plains-to-Pines Scenic Corridor." The resolution authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to accept donations for signage, markers, and landscaping to promote this scenic route connecting the eastern plains to the Rocky Mountain foothills. It specifically enables CDOT to collaborate with Elbert County and the towns of Kiowa and Elizabeth for maintenance of these promotional elements. This is a commemorative designation without new regulatory requirements, focusing on tourism and regional identity.

Maddy summarySJR 14 is a symbolic resolution declaring February 28, 2026, as "Rare Disease Day" in Colorado. It recognizes over 500,000 Coloradans living with rare diseases - conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people - and highlights challenges like limited treatments and high costs. The resolution encourages public awareness through events (like lighting Denver's City and County Building) and acknowledges the resilience of affected individuals. It does not create new laws, funding, or services, but formally supports the rare disease community through recognition.

Maddy summaryHJR 1019 designates February 20, 2026, as Caregiving Youth Day in Colorado, with an official observance on February 27, 2026. The resolution recognizes children and adolescents under 18 who provide care for family members with health needs (such as chronic illness, disability, or aging-related care) and encourages schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations to identify these young caregivers and offer appropriate support. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to increase awareness of this underserved population.