The proposed bill, HB25-1042, aims to establish a Workforce Advisory Council within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to assess the impact of air quality control regulations on employment in affected industries. Key provisions include:
Council Establishment:
The executive director of CDPHE is required to establish the Workforce Advisory Council by August 1, 2025.
Council Objectives:
Discuss recommendations for incorporating workforce impact analyses into the rule-making procedures for air quality control regulations.
Recommend standard procedures for CDPHE and the Air Quality Control Commission to follow when conducting workforce impact analyses.
Determine the potential value of establishing a full-time workforce advocate position within CDPHE to assist in the air quality control rule-making process.
Reporting Requirements:
CDPHE must report the council's recommendations to the General Assembly by January 15, 2026.
Ongoing Council Activities:
After January 15, 2026, the council is required to:
Meet at least four times per year.
Continue advising CDPHE on the employment impacts of proposed air quality control regulations.
Make ongoing recommendations to the Governor, CDPHE, and the Air Quality Control Commission on legislative and regulatory air quality control policies affecting employment.
This initiative seeks to balance environmental protection with economic considerations, ensuring that air quality regulations are developed with a comprehensive understanding of their potential workforce impacts.
Summary
The bill requires the executive director of the department of public
health and environment (department) to establish a workforce advisory council (council) on or before August 1, 2025, for the purposes of:
•
Discussing recommendations concerning the incorporation of workforce impact analyses into the rule-making procedures for rules that impact air quality;
•
Recommending standard procedures for the department and the air quality control commission (commission) to follow when conducting workforce impact analyses for inclusion in rule-making procedures; and
•
Determining if the establishment of a full-time workforce advocate position would add value to the air quality control rule-making process.
The bill requires the department to report the council's
recommendations to the general assembly on or before January 15, 2026.
After January 15, 2026, the council is required to: •
Meet at least 4 times per year;
•
Continue to advise the department on the impact of proposed air quality control rules on matters related to employment; and
•
Make ongoing recommendations to the governor, the department, and the commission on legislative and regulatory air quality control policies that impact employment matters.
