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Bill:
HB22-1007
|
Title: |
Assistance Landowner Wildfire Mitigation |
Description | Concerning wildfire mitigation assistance for landowners. | Summary | Wildfire Matters Review Committee. Section 1 of the bill
establishes the wildfire mitigation resources and best practices grant program (grant program) within the Colorado state forest service (forest service). To be eligible to receive a grant, a recipient must be an agency of local government, a county, municipality, special district, a tribal agency or program, or a nonprofit organization.
The forest service is tasked with reviewing grant applications.
Grants must be awarded to applicants proposing to conduct outreach
among landowners in high wildfire hazard areas and the forest service must consider the potential impact of the applicants' proposed outreach when awarding grants.
The forest service must report to the wildfire matters review
committee on the grant program.
Section 2 repeals the existing income tax deduction created to
offset the landowner's costs incurred in performing wildfire mitigation measures for the 2023 and subsequent income tax years.
Section 3 creates a state income tax credit to reimburse a
landowner for the costs incurred in performing wildfire mitigation measures on the landowner's property. Specifically, a landowner with a federal taxable income at or below $120,000 for the income tax year commencing on or after January 1, 2023, as adjusted for inflation and rounded to the nearest hundred dollar amount for each income tax year thereafter, is allowed a state income tax credit in an amount equal to 25% of up to $2,500 in costs for wildfire mitigation measures. The maximum total credit in a taxable year is $625.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/28/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: C. Simpson (R) House: M. Lynch (R) | Status | Governor Signed (06/03/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1011
|
Title: |
Wildfire Mitigation Incentives For Local Governments |
Description | Concerning the establishment of a state grant program that provides funding to local governments that dedicate resources for wildfire mitigation purposes. | Summary | Wildfire Matters Review Committee. The bill establishes the
wildfire mitigation incentives for local government grant program (grant program) in the Colorado state forest service (forest service). The grant program is established to provide state funding assistance in the form of grant awards to local governments to match revenue raised by such
governments from a dedicated revenue source that is intended to be used for forest management or wildfire mitigation efforts at the local level. Such wildfire mitigation efforts include, without limitation, projects that promote fuel breaks, forest thinning, a reduction in the amount or extent of fuels contributing to wildfires, outreach and education efforts directed at property owners and other members of the public, and any other means of forest management or wildfire mitigation as determined appropriate for funding by the forest service.
The grant program is administered by the forest service. On or before March 1, 2023, the forest service is required to adopt
polices, procedures, and guidelines for the grant program that include, without limitation:
Procedures and timelines by which an eligible recipient may apply for a grant;
Criteria for determining grant eligibility and grant amounts; and
Reporting requirements for grant recipients.
Any funding awarded under the grant program must match
revenues raised by the local government from a dedicated revenue source that is intended to be used for forest management or wildfire mitigation efforts at the local level in accordance with policies, procedures, and guidelines developed by the forest service.
In allocating funding under the grant program, preference will be
given to certain eligible recipients based on prioritization factors enumerated in the bill.
Eligible recipients may apply for funding from the grant program,
and the recipient's application for funding may be approved by the forest service, before the local government has created a dedicated revenue source that forms the basis for the match if the electors of the local government approve a ballot issue creating the revenue source at an election that takes place in the same calendar year in which the funding is awarded.
The bill creates the wildfire mitigation incentives local government
grant program fund in the state treasury.
On or before November 1, 2024, and on or before November 1 of
each year thereafter, the forest service is required to publish a report summarizing the use of all of the money that was awarded under the grant program in the preceding fiscal year. The bill specifies additional required components of the report. The report must be posted on the website of the forest service. The bill requires the Colorado department of higher education to summarize the information contained in the report in its State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act hearings.
The bill requires the forest service to prepare educational materials
concerning the grant program and to display such materials on its official
website. In addition, the forest service is also required to undertake outreach activities to inform local governments located in priority areas for wildfire mitigation of the grant program.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/04/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate:
House: M. Snyder (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/03/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1012
|
Title: |
Wildfire Mitigation And Recovery |
Description | Concerning healthy forests, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. | Summary | Wildfire Matters Review Committee. Section 1 of the bill
creates the wildfire mitigation and recovery grant program (grant program) in the Colorado state forest service (forest service) to provide grants to help counties with forested areas prevent and recover from wildfire incidents and ensure that such efforts are undertaken in a manner
that reduces the amount of carbon that enters the atmosphere. In expending grant money, a county, to the extent practicable, shall ensure that biomass that is removed from forests is recycled or disposed of in a manner that reduces the amount of carbon that enters the atmosphere.
The forest service shall administer the grant program and, subject
to available appropriations, award grants out of money annually appropriated to the forest service for the grant program. The forest service shall review grant applications in consultation with the division of fire prevention and control in the department of public safety and with the Colorado forest health council in the department of natural resources.
The grant program is repealed, effective September 1, 2028.
Before the repeal, the grant program is scheduled for a sunset review by the department of regulatory agencies. Section 2 schedules this review.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/06/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: J. Ginal (D) House:
| Status | Governor Signed (06/03/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1018
|
Title: |
Electric And Gas Utility Customer Protections |
Description | Concerning a state regulated utility's practices regarding a customer's ability to pay the customer's utility bill. | Summary | Section 1 of the bill changes the date on which Energy Outreach
Colorado disburses to the department of human services a portion of the energy assistance system benefit charges that investor-owned electric and gas utilities collect from January 1, 2022, to March 1, 2023.
Section 2 requires the public utilities commission (commission)
to adopt rules prohibiting electric and gas utilities from disconnecting a
customer's service:
On weekends;
On state or federal holidays; or
After 11:59 a.m. on a weekday that is not a holiday.
Additionally, the commission's rules must require that, under certain circumstances in which a customer makes a request for reconnection of service on a Monday through Friday that is not a holiday, the utility is required to reconnect the customer's service that same day.
Section 3 establishes 3 income standards for determining a
household's eligibility for utility assistance as follows:
A household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line;
A household income at or below 80% of the area median income; or
A household income that meets the income eligibility criteria that the department sets by rule.
Section 3 also clarifies that the commission may approve a
year-round utility preference or advantage given to income-eligible customers.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (02/16/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: F. Winter (D) N. Hinrichsen (D) House: C. Kennedy (D) | Status | Governor Signed (04/21/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1020
|
Title: |
Customer Right To Use Energy |
Description | Concerning a guarantee of a customer's right to use energy. | Summary | The bill prohibits a state agency, local government, and common
interest community from limiting or prohibiting the use of natural gas, propane, solar photovoltaics, micro wind turbines, or small hydroelectric power for electricity generation, cooking, hot water, or space heating in residences, units, or businesses.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/25/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: B. Kirkmeyer (R) House:
| Status | House Committee on Energy & Environment Postpone Indefinitely (02/03/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1026
|
Title: |
Alternative Transportation Options Tax Credit |
Description |
Concerning the replacement of the income tax deduction for amounts spent by an employer to provide alternative transportation options to employees with an income tax credit for amounts spent by an employer for that purpose, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
| Summary |
Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Tax Policy. The bill replaces an existing income tax deduction for expenses incurred by
employers when providing alternative transportation options to employees with a refundable income tax credit of 50% of such expenses for such employers. The credit is allowed for income tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, but before January 1, 2033.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/06/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: L. Liston (R) C. Hansen (D) House: S. Bird (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/07/2022) | Position | Support |
|
Bill:
HB22-1124
|
Title: |
Tax Credit For Recycling An Old Vehicle |
Description | Concerning the creation of an income tax credit for the purchaser of a new motor vehicle who at the time of purchase trades in an old motor vehicle for recycling. | Summary | For income tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2023, but
prior to January 1, 2028, the bill allows a $750 income tax credit to any taxpayer that purchases a new motor vehicle (purchaser) and at the same time trades in an old motor vehicle for recycling. The purchase of the new motor vehicle and the trade in for recycling of the old motor vehicle are
required to occur through the same licensed motor vehicle dealer. The bill defines a vehicle that is a 2015 model year or newer as a new motor vehicle and a vehicle that is a model year 2009 or older as an old motor vehicle.
The purchaser is required to assign the tax credit to the purchaser's
financing entity in a manner specified in the bill, and the financing entity is required to compensate the purchaser for the full nominal value of the tax credit. To complete the tax credit assignment, the purchaser and the financing entity are required to enter into an agreement that identifies the vehicle identification numbers of the old motor vehicle and the new motor vehicle, includes certification from the licensed motor vehicle dealer that the old motor vehicle will be traded for recycling pursuant to current law, and satisfies all other requirements regarding the assignment of the tax credit.
The financing entity is required to electronically submit a report
containing the information required in the agreement to the department of revenue (department) in a form and manner to be determined by the department. In addition, the financing entity is required to file the agreement described with the original tax return for the taxable year in which the old motor vehicle is traded in for recycling and a new motor vehicle is purchased.
The licensed motor vehicle dealer that sells the purchaser the new
motor vehicle and takes the old motor vehicle for recycling is required to certify, in a form and manner to be determined by the department, that an old motor vehicle that is traded in for recycling for the purpose of claiming the tax credit will be recycled in accordance with current law.
A licensed motor vehicle dealer that provides certification that it
will recycle an old motor vehicle but that fails to transfer the vehicle for recycling is subject to a fine.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (02/01/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate:
House:
| Status | House Committee on Finance Postpone Indefinitely (03/10/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1132
|
Title: |
Regulation And Services For Wildfire Mitigation |
Description | Concerning the provision of wildfire mitigation services, and, in connection therewith, regulating controlled burns on private property. | Summary | The bill requires that a fire department (defined to include a fire
protection district as well as a county or municipality) be notified prior to conducting a controlled burn on private property and prohibits a person from conducting a controlled burn under certain conditions. The bill also sets forth civil and criminal penalties for a person who does not provide
notice prior to conducting a controlled burn or otherwise violates the bill's requirements.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/02/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: L. Liston (R) House: R. Holtorf (R) | Status | Governor Signed (06/03/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1140
|
Title: |
Green Hydrogen To Meet Pollution Reduction Goals |
Description | Concerning the use of green hydrogen to meet statewide greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals. | Summary | The bill includes green hydrogen as a renewable energy resource
that certain retail electric service providers (providers) may use to meet standards requiring that a certain percentage of the provider's electricity sales be from an eligible energy resource. The bill also requires the governor to update the Colorado greenhouse gas pollution reduction roadmap to expressly include green hydrogen as a renewable energy
resource that providers may use to meet statewide greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals for the electric utility sector.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/26/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate:
House:
| Status | House Committee on Energy & Environment Postpone Indefinitely (04/13/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1218
|
Title: |
Resource Efficiency Buildings Electric Vehicles |
Description |
Concerning resource efficiency related to constructing a building for occupancy.
| Summary |
Section 1 of the bill relocates existing statutes that require contractors to offer certain resource efficiency options when constructing certain buildings. Section 1 also requires commercial buildings and multifamily residences to include electric vehicle charging for at least 10% of the parking spaces if the building is 25,000 square feet or more or if the building is part of a project that is 40,000 square feet or more of
floor space in more than one building, with a total of 25 or more sets of living quarters or commercial units among all the buildings. These buildings must also have: • The space in the electrical facilities to increase electric vehicle charging to 50% of the parking spaces; and • Conduit run to increase electric vehicle charging to 50% of the parking spaces. Section 3 requires a master electrician to follow these requirements when planning, laying out, and supervising the installation of wiring in a building. Section 4 requires an architect to follow these requirements when planning, drafting plans for, and supervising the construction of a building. Continuing education requirements are put in place to educate master electricians and architects about these requirements.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (03/21/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: K. Priola (D) F. Winter (D) House: A. Valdez (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/07/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1244
|
Title: |
Public Protections From Toxic Air Contaminants |
Description | Concerning measures to increase public protection from toxic air contaminants, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. | Summary | The bill creates a new program to regulate a subset of air
pollutants, referred to as toxic air contaminants, which are defined as hazardous air pollutants, covered air toxics, and all other air pollutants that the air quality control commission (commission) designates by rule as a toxic air contaminant based on its adverse health effects. In implementing the program, the commission has the authority to adopt
rules that are more stringent than the corresponding requirements of the federal Clean Air Act.
Beginning no later than January 1, 2024, and every 5 years
thereafter, the commission will review the list of existing toxic air contaminants and determine whether to add any additional toxic air contaminants to the list.
On or before April 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2024,
owners and operators of major and synthetic minor sources of pollution will submit to the division of administration (division) in the department of public health and environment (department) an annual emissions inventory report that reports the levels of criteria air pollutants and toxic air contaminants that were emitted by the source in the preceding calendar year, beginning with January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023.
Beginning no later than January 1, 2024, the division will develop
a monitoring program to determine the concentration of toxic air contaminants in the ambient air of the state. The monitoring program will establish at least 6 long-term monitoring sites throughout urban and rural areas of the state. The division must provide public notice of and an opportunity to comment on the locations of the monitoring sites.
On or before November 1, 2025, and at least every 5 years
thereafter, the division will prepare a report summarizing the findings of the monitoring program, provide public notice of and an opportunity to comment on the report, and submit the report to the general assembly.
Beginning no later than July 1, 2027, the commission will identify
by rule toxic air contaminants that may pose a risk of harm to public health in the state (high-risk toxic air contaminants) and adopt health-based standards and emissions limitations (airborne toxic control measures) for high-risk toxic air contaminants.
On or before July 1, 2032, and at least every 5 years thereafter, the
commission will review the health-based standards and airborne toxic control measures to determine if the commission should:
Identify any additional high-risk toxic air contaminants; and
Adjust the existing health-based standards and airborne toxic control measures.
Beginning on July 1, 2027, when applying for a new or modified
air pollution permit that is subject to the new source review requirements of the federal Clean Air Act, the owner or operator of a stationary source of pollution must submit an analysis of the impacts of the stationary source's emissions of toxic air contaminants on concentrations of toxic air contaminants in the ambient air. The division may only approve the application if the division determines, based on the analysis, that the source's emissions will not contribute to an increase in concentrations in the ambient air at or in excess of a health-based standard.
Beginning on July 1, 2027, to protect public health and the
environment, the division may reopen any existing air pollution permits and require the owner or operator of a stationary source of pollution to submit to the division an analysis of the impacts of the stationary source's emissions of toxic air contaminants on concentrations of toxic air contaminants in the ambient air. If the division determines, based on the analysis, that the source's emissions contribute to concentrations in the ambient air at or in excess of a health-based standard, the division may require a decrease or cessation in the applicable emissions over the shortest practicable time until the emissions no longer contribute to concentrations in the ambient air at or in excess of a health-based standard.
The bill also creates the toxic air contaminant scientific advisory
board (advisory board) in the department. The advisory board consists of 3 voting members appointed by the executive director of the department and a nonvoting member representing the department. Each member of the advisory board shall:
Be professionally active or engaged in scientific research;
Be highly qualified to evaluate health effects from exposure to toxic substances; and
Have expertise in pathology, oncology, epidemiology, or toxicology.
The advisory board will advise the commission on identifying
toxic air contaminants and high-risk toxic air contaminants, establishing and revising health-based standards for high-risk toxic air contaminants, and reviewing and revising the list of covered air toxics.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/10/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: J. Gonzales (D) House: C. Kennedy (D) S. Gonzales-Gutierrez (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/02/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1362
|
Title: |
Building Greenhouse Gas Emissions |
Description | Concerning the reduction of building greenhouse gas emissions, and, in connection therewith, requiring the director of the Colorado energy office and the executive director of the department of local affairs to appoint an energy code board that develops two model codes, requiring local governments and certain state agencies to adopt and enforce codes that are consistent with the model codes developed by the energy code board, creating the building electrification for public buildings grant program, creating the high-efficiency electric heating and appliances grant program, and establishing the clean air building investments fund. | Summary | The bill requires the Colorado energy office (office) to identify for
adoption 3 sets of model code language:
Model electric and solar ready code language;
Model low energy and carbon code language; and
Model green code language.
On or before January 1, 2025, municipalities, counties, the office
of the state architect, the division of housing, and the division of fire prevention and control shall adopt and enforce an energy code that achieves equivalent or better energy performance than the 2021 international energy conservation code and the model electric and solar ready code language identified for adoption by the office.
On or before January 1, 2030, municipalities, counties, the office
of the state architect, the division of housing, and the division of fire prevention and control shall adopt and enforce an energy code that achieves equivalent or better energy and carbon emissions performance than the model low energy and carbon code language identified for adoption by the office.
In the event of a conflict between the 2021 international energy
conservation code, the 2024 international energy conservation code, or any of these 3 sets of model code language and either the Colorado plumbing code or the national electric code, the Colorado plumbing code or the national electric code prevails.
The bill creates 2 primary grant programs:
The building electrification for public buildings grant program to provide grants to local governments, school districts, state agencies, and special districts for the installation of high-efficiency electric heating equipment; and
The high-efficiency electric heating and appliances grant program to provide grants to local governments, utilities, nonprofit organizations, and housing developers for the installation of high-efficiency electric heating equipment in multiple structures within a neighborhood.
The bill establishes the clean air building investments fund, a continuously appropriated cash fund, to fund the creation, implementation, and administration of both of these grant programs.
The bill also requires the following transfers from the general
fund:
$3 million to the energy fund created for the Colorado energy office to issue grants and provide training related to the 2021 international energy conservation code, electric and solar ready codes, and low energy and carbon codes;
$10 million to the clean air building investments fund for the creation, implementation, and administration of the building electrification for public buildings grant program; and
$12 million to the clean air building investments fund for the creation, implementation, and administration of the high-efficiency electric heating and appliances grant program.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/13/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: F. Winter (D) C. Hansen (D) House: A. Valdez (D) T. Bernett (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/02/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1372
|
Title: |
Emergency Engine Exemption Emission Regulation |
Description | Concerning an exemption from air emission limits for the use of a stationary engine to support critical infrastructure in emergencies. | Summary | The bill authorizes the use of an emergency stationary engine if:
The emergency stationary engine is providing electric power to or mechanical work for military facilities or facilities under the control of the United States department of defense;
The emergency stationary engine is in compliance with 40 CFR 60, subparts IIII and JJJJ, as in effect on January 1, 2022;
The emergency stationary engine's air pollution control and monitoring equipment is installed, operated, and maintained in compliance with the manufacturer's standards; and
The emergency stationary engine is undergoing routine maintenance or testing or providing primary electrical power or mechanical work during an emergency situation pursuant to 40 CFR 60 or 63, as in effect on January 1, 2022.
A person that operates an emergency stationary engine is required
to:
Minimize the use of emergency stationary engines as much as practicable, consistent with the health, safety, and welfare of the people of Colorado;
Report each emergency event that causes the engine to be operated within the later of 48 hours after or noon on the business day following the emergency event;
Record information about each emergency event; and
Submit compliance reports detailing the operation of the engine, the reason for the operation, deviations, and corrective actions.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/25/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: R. Fields (D) R. Gardner (R) House:
| Status | Governor Signed (06/02/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1379
|
Title: |
Wildfire Prevention Watershed Restoration Funding |
Description | Concerning transfers from the economic recovery and relief cash fund to provide additional funding for the management of certain natural resources, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. | Summary | The bill requires the state treasurer to make the following transfers
from the economic recovery and relief cash fund:
$3 million to the healthy forests and vibrant communities fund for projects that will help communities address the urgent need to reduce wildfire risks by supporting
implementation of risk mitigation treatments that focus on promoting watershed resilience;
$2 million to the wildfire mitigation capacity development fund for wildfire mitigation and fuel reduction projects;
$10 million to the Colorado water conservation board construction fund for watershed restoration and flood mitigation grants;
$2.5 million to the Colorado water conservation board construction fund for the direct and indirect costs of providing assistance to political subdivisions and other entities applying for federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act money and other federally available money related to water funding opportunities; and
$2.5 million to the Colorado water conservation board construction fund for issuing grants to political subdivisions of the state for the hiring of temporary employees, contractors, or both that will assist those political subdivisions and other entities in applying for federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act money and other federally available money related to natural resource management.
All of these transfers relate to essential government services and must comply with the relevant compliance, reporting, record-keeping, and program evaluation requirements established by the office of state planning and budgeting and the state controller.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/20/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: C. Simpson (R) House: M. Catlin (R) K. McCormick (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/02/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1381
|
Title: |
Colorado Energy Office Geothermal Energy Grant Program |
Description | Concerning the creation of a geothermal energy grant program to facilitate the development of geothermal energy resources. | Summary | The bill creates the geothermal energy grant program (grant
program) in the Colorado energy office (office) within the office of the governor. The grant program offers 3 types of grants:
The single-structure geothermal grant, which is awarded to applicants that are constructing new buildings and that are
installing a geothermal system as the primary heating system for the building;
The community district heating grant, which is awarded to support ground-source, water-source, or multisource thermal systems that serve more than one building; and
The geothermal electricity generation grant, which is awarded to support the development of geothermal electricity generation and hydrogen generation produced from geothermal energy.
The bill sets qualifications, limits, and standards for awarding the grants.
A grantee is prohibited from using the money for any purpose not
specified in statute or in the grant application. Using the grant money for another purpose subjects the grantee to a civil action seeking repayment.
The bill creates the geothermal energy grant fund (fund).The grant
money in the fund is allocated in the following percentages:
Up to 40% of the total money in the fund may be awarded in grants for cost-matching public-private partnerships to support the development of geothermal electricity generation and resource development, which may include hydrogen generation produced from geothermal energy;
Up to 60% of the total money in the fund may be awarded in grants for constructing new buildings and remodeling existing buildings using geothermal heating, and one-fourth of the money must be awarded to eligible entities from or projects in low-income, disproportionately impacted, or just transition communities; and
Up to 25% of the total money in the fund may be awarded in grants to support the development of district heating systems in new construction or to retrofit existing buildings.
The money in the fund is continuously appropriated to implement
the grant program. The state treasurer will transfer $20 million from the general fund to the fund.
The office administers the grant program and, in doing so, must
develop and apply criteria for evaluating and awarding grant applications that:
Prioritize projects in low-income, disproportionately impacted, or just transition communities; and
Maximize the number of additional projects that would otherwise not occur without grant money.
Each grantee must submit an annual report to the office for 2 years
following receipt of a grant award. By February 1, 2024, and each year thereafter, the office must submit a report to the transportation and energy committee of the senate and the energy and environment committee of the house of representatives. The report must include:
The grant expenditures;
The percentage of each type of grant awarded;
The total amount of matching funds that grantees provided to receive a grant;
The percentage of grants awarded to and for projects in low-income, disproportionately impacted, or just transition communities; and
To the extent available, the effects of the grants on gas use, electricity use, emissions, and energy costs.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/10/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: F. Winter (D) House: H. McKean (R) B. Titone (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/02/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1384
|
Title: |
Naturopathic Doctor Formulary |
Description | Concerning the naturopathic formulary. | Summary | The bill removes language limiting the naturopathic formulary to
nonprescription classes of medicines, including only biological substances such as vitamins, minerals, nutritive substances, extracts, and their products and residues.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (06/06/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate:
House: B. McLachlan (D) | Status | House Committee on Health & Insurance Postpone Indefinitely (05/02/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
HB22-1401
|
Title: |
Hospital Nurse Staffing Standards |
Description | Concerning the preparedness of health facilities to meet patient needs, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. | Summary | The bill requires every hospital to establish, by September 1, 2022,
a nurse staffing committee pursuant to rules promulgated by the state board of health, either by creating a new committee or assigning the nurse staffing functions to an existing hospital staffing committee. The nurse staffing committee is required to create, implement, and evaluate a nurse staffing plan and to receive, track, and resolve complaints and receive
feedback from direct-care nurses and other staff.
The bill requires a hospital to:
Submit the nurse staffing plan to the department of public health and environment (department) on an annual basis;
Post the nurse staffing plan on the hospital's website;
Evaluate the nurse staffing plan on a quarterly basis and, based on complaints and recommendations of patients and staff, revise the nurse staffing plan accordingly; and
Prepare a quarterly report containing the details of the evaluation.
The bill prohibits a hospital from assigning direct-care providers
to a nursing unit or clinical area of a hospital unless the providers are properly trained in the unit or area assigned.
On or before September 1, 2022, in a form and manner determined
by rules promulgated by the state board of health, each hospital is required to report:
The baseline number of beds the hospital is able to staff; and
The hospital's current bed capacity.
If the hospital's ability to meet staffed-bed capacity falls below
80% of the required baseline in a specified period, the hospital is required to notify the department and submit a plan to meet that requirement.
The bill requires the department to notify a hospital if the hospital's
number of staffed beds exceeds 80% of a hospital's total licensed beds and fine the hospital if the hospital does not take corrective action.
Each hospital is required to update its emergency plan at least
annually and as often as necessary, as circumstances warrant.
The bill authorizes the department to fine a hospital up to $10,000
per day for the hospital's failure to:
Meet the required staffed-bed capacity;
Include the amount of necessary vaccines for administration in its annual emergency plan and have the vaccines available at each of its facilities; and
Include the necessary testing capabilities available at each of its facilities.
The bill grants rule-making authority to the department and to the
state board of health.
The bill requires the department to report certain data to its
committee of reference as part of its presentation at the hearing held pursuant to the State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act.
The bill requires the office of saving people money on health care
in the office of the lieutenant governor to study:
The level of preparedness of health facilities to respond to post-viral illness resulting from the COVID-19 virus;
The effects of post-viral illness resulting from the COVID-19 virus on the mental, behavioral, and physical health and the financial security of the people of Colorado; and
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cost of health care in Colorado and on the resiliency of Colorado's public health system.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/04/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: D. Moreno (D) House:
| Status | Governor Signed (05/18/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-051
|
Title: |
Policies To Reduce Emissions From Built Environment |
Description | Concerning policies to reduce emissions from the built environment. | Summary | The bill specifies that air-source and ground-source heat pump
systems are household furnishings exempt from the levy and collection of property tax. The bill exempts air-source and ground-source heat pump systems from the definition of fixtures for property tax purposes.
Beginning July 1, 2024, the bill exempts from state sales and use
tax all sales, storage, and use of eligible decarbonizing building materials.
Eligible decarbonizing building materials are defined as building materials that have a maximum acceptable global warming potential as determined by the office of the state architect.
In addition, beginning January 1, 2023, the bill exempts from state
sales and use tax all sales, storage, and use of air-source and ground-source heat pump systems that are used in commercial or residential buildings.
The bill specifies that a statutory town, city, or county may exempt
the same items only by express inclusion of the exemption in its initial sales tax ordinance or resolution or by amendment thereto.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/29/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: C. Hansen (D) House: E. Sirota (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/02/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-073
|
Title: |
Alternative Energy Sources |
Description | Concerning alternative energy sources, and, in connection therewith, requiring a feasibility study for the use of small modular nuclear reactors as a source of carbon-free energy and for recycled energy, specifying the maximum nameplate capacity of a generation unit for pumped hydroelectricity. | Summary | The bill requires the director of the office of economic
development (office) or the director's designee to conduct or cause to be conducted a study (feasibility study) regarding the feasibility of using small modular nuclear reactors as a carbon-free energy source for the state and includes specific items that must be included in the feasibility study.
By July 1, 2024, the director of the office is required to provide a
written report to the committees of the senate and house of representatives having jurisdiction over energy matters regarding the findings and conclusions from the feasibility study. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to the office for the 2022-23 fiscal year to be used for the purposes of the feasibility study.
In addition, current law defines recycled energy as energy
produced by a generation unit with a nameplate capacity of not more than 15 megawatts. For pumped hydroelectricity generation only, the bill specifies that the energy be produced by a generation unit with a nameplate capacity of not more than 400 megawatts.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/31/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate:
House: H. McKean (R) | Status | Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Postpone Indefinitely (02/17/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-080
|
Title: |
Wildland Fire Investigations |
Description | Concerning a duty of the division of fire prevention and control to conduct wildland fire investigations, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. | Summary | The bill establishes that conducting investigations of wildland fires
in the state is a duty of the division of fire prevention and control within the department of public safety and makes an appropriation to fund such investigations.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (06/13/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate:
House:
| Status | House Committee on Appropriations Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed (05/12/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-082
|
Title: |
Geographical Area Hazardous Air Pollution Rule |
Description | Concerning addressing the geographical areas with the greatest concentration of air pollutants that affect human health. | Summary | The bill requires the division of administration in the department
of public health and environment to analyze data published by the United States environmental protection agency. The purpose of this analysis is to identify geographical areas in which hazardous air pollutants have the greatest negative effects on human health and then to propose a rule to the
air quality control commission to address these areas. The commission will consider the rule at a hearing.
The division will also create and publish a map showing areas
where hazardous air pollutants have the greatest potential for causing chronic human health effects.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/31/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate:
House:
| Status | Senate Committee on Health & Human Services Postpone Indefinitely (02/16/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-118
|
Title: |
Encourage Geothermal Energy Use |
Description | Concerning the encouragement of the use of geothermal energy by providing similar treatment to solar energy, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. | Summary | The bill modifies the following statutory provisions that apply to
solar energy so that they also apply to geothermal energy, which generally is using the heat of the earth to generate electricity or to heat or cool space or water:
Section 1 of the bill requires the Colorado energy office (office) to develop basic consumer education and guidance
about leased or purchased geothermal installation, in consultation with industries that offer these options to consumers;
Sections 2, 6, and 8 limit the aggregate of all charges or other related or associated fees the state, a county, or a municipality may impose or assess to install a geothermal energy system;
Section 3 specifies that geothermal equipment is a type of pollution control equipment that the division of administration in the department of public health and environment may certify as pollution control equipment;
Section 4 specifies that a project for purposes of the County and Municipality Development Revenue Bond Act includes capital improvements to existing single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial, or industrial structures, to retrofit such structures for installation of geothermal improvements;
Section 5 permits a county board of commissioners or a regional planning commission, and section 9 requires a municipal development commission, to include methods for assuring access to appropriate conditions for geothermal energy sources in a master plan for development;
Section 7 specifies that the addition of a geothermal energy device to a building is not necessarily considered a structural alteration for purposes of continuing a nonconforming use of a building, structure, or land under a county zoning resolution;
Section 10 permits the Colorado agricultural value-added development board to use some of the money in the agriculture value-added cash fund for geothermal energy generation facilities that are colocated with agricultural uses;
Section 11 adds a geothermal energy device to the types of renewable energy generation devices that cannot be prohibited in legal instruments related to the transfer or sale of, or interest in, real property;
Section 13 includes an independently owned geothermal energy system, which is defined in section 12, in the property tax exemption for household furnishings;
Section 14 creates community geothermal gardens, which are analogous to community solar gardens; and
Sections 15 and 16 create conforming amendments to the definition of qualified community location to incorporate community geothermal gardens for purposes of local
improvement districts and municipal special improvement districts.
Section 1 requires the office to update the greenhouse gas
pollution reduction roadmap to expressly include geothermal energy as a renewable energy resource that qualifying retail utilities may use to achieve the electric utility sector greenhouse gas pollution reduction goals set forth in the roadmap.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/06/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: N. Hinrichsen (D) House: R. Holtorf (R) | Status | Governor Signed (06/03/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-138
|
Title: |
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Colorado |
Description | Concerning measures to promote reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in Colorado, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. | Summary | Section 1 of the bill requires each insurance company issued a
certificate of authority to transact insurance business to prepare and file an annual report with the insurance commissioner providing a climate-risk assessment for the insurance company's investment portfolio from the previous 12 months. The commissioner of insurance is required to post the reports on the division of insurance's website. Section 1
defines climate-risk assessment as a determination of the economic and business risks that climate change poses to an investment.
Section 2 requires the board of trustees of the public employees'
retirement association (PERA board) to prepare a similar annual report and post it on the PERA board's website.
Section 3 updates the statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emission
reduction goals to add a 40% reduction goal for 2028 compared to 2005 GHG pollution levels and a 75% reduction goal for 2040 compared to 2005 GHG pollution levels.
Section 4 defines a small off-road engine as a gasoline-powered
engine of 50 horsepower or less used to fuel small off-road equipment like lawn mowers and leaf blowers. Section 4 phases out the use of small off-road engines by prohibiting their sale in nonattainment areas of the state on or after January 1, 2030, and by providing financial incentives to promote the replacement of small off-road engines with electric-powered, small off-road equipment before 2030.
Section 11 establishes a state income tax credit in an amount equal
to 30% of the purchase price for new, electric-powered, small off-road equipment for purchases made in income tax years 2023 through 2029.
Section 6 gives the oil and gas conservation commission authority
over class VI injection wells used for sequestration of GHG, including through the issuance and enforcement of permits.
Section 7 requires the commissioner of agriculture or the
commissioner's designee, in consultation with the Colorado energy office and the air quality control commission, to conduct a study examining carbon reduction and sequestration opportunities in the agricultural sector in the state, including the potential development of certified carbon offset programs or credit instruments. On or before December 15, 2022, the commissioner of agriculture or the commissioner's designee is required to submit a report summarizing the study, including any legislative recommendations, to the general assembly.
In support of the use of agrivoltaics, which is the colocation of
solar energy generation facilities on a parcel of land with agricultural activities, section 8 authorizes the Colorado agriculture value-added development board (board) to provide financing, including grants or loans, for agricultural research on the use of agrivoltaics. For a research project for which the board awards money to study the use of agrivoltaics, sections 5 and 8 require the director of the division of parks and wildlife to consult on the research project regarding the wildlife impacts of agrivoltaic use.
Section 9 authorizes the board to seek, accept, and expend gifts,
grants, and donations, including donations of in-kind resources such as solar panels, for use in agricultural research projects. Section 9 also updates the statutory definition of agrivoltaics to list additional agricultural activities on the parcel of land on which solar panel
generation facilities may be colocated, including animal husbandry, cover cropping for soil health, and carbon sequestration.
Section 10 amends the statutory definition of solar energy
facility used in determining the valuation of public utilities for property tax purposes to include agrivoltaics.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/09/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: K. Priola (D) C. Hansen (D) House: A. Valdez (D) K. McCormick (D) | Status | House Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments (05/09/2022) | Position | Support |
|
Bill:
SB22-179
|
Title: |
Deter Tampering Motor Vehicle Emission Control System |
Description | Concerning measures to address tampering with a motor vehicle's emission control system. | Summary | Section 5 of the bill prohibits a person, on or after March 1, 2023,
from tampering with a motor vehicle's emission control system, conveying or offering to convey a motor vehicle with an emission control system that has been tampered with, or operating a motor vehicle with an emission control system that has been tampered with (anti-tampering provisions).
Section 5 also:
Provides a safe harbor from enforcement of the anti-tampering provisions for a period up to one year for a person that self-reports noncompliance with the anti-tampering provisions;
Authorizes the air quality control commission to adopt rules as necessary to implement the anti-tampering provisions;
Exempts motorcycles from the anti-tampering provisions; and
Requires the department of public health and environment, on or before January 1, 2024, and on or before January 1 of each year thereafter, to report to the committees that hear energy matters a summary of the complaints filed, enforcement actions taken, and penalties assessed for violations of the anti-tampering provisions.
Section 1 authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action to
enforce the anti-tampering provisions, and sections 3 and 4 establish penalties for the anti-tampering provisions. Section 3 requires penalties collected to be credited to the catalytic converter identification and theft prevention grant program cash fund (fund), which fund is created in section 2 and is to be used for the catalytic converter identification and theft prevention grant program created in House Bill 22-1217, if that bill becomes law. Sections 2 and 3 take effect only if House Bill 22-1217 becomes law. Alternatively, if House Bill 22-1217 does not become law, section 4 requires penalties collected to be credited to the AIR account in the highway users tax fund for the administration of the automobile inspection and readjustment program. Section 4 takes effect only if House Bill 22-1217 does not become law.
Section 6 makes nonsubstantive changes to the definition of
motor vehicle.
Section 7 extends the period during which a motor vehicle dealer
remains liable to a consumer for a recently purchased motor vehicle's compliance with emissions standards from 3 business days after purchase to 7 business days after purchase.
Section 8 authorizes the department of revenue to deny, suspend,
or revoke a motor vehicle dealer's, wholesale motor vehicle auction dealer's, wholesaler's, buyer agent's, or used motor vehicle dealer's license for selling to a retail customer a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a properly functioning emission control system.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/05/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: L. Liston (R) J. Ginal (D) House:
| Status | Governor Signed (06/08/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-180
|
Title: |
Programs To Reduce Ozone Through Increased Transit |
Description | Concerning programs to reduce ground level ozone through increased use of transit. | Summary | The bill creates the ozone season transit grant program (program)
in the Colorado energy office (office). The program provides grants to the regional transportation district (RTD) and transit associations in order to provide free transit services for at least 30 days during ozone season. A transit association receiving a grant may use the money to make grants to eligible transit agencies. The eligible transit agencies may use the money
to provide at least 30 days of new or expanded free transit services during ozone season. The RTD may use grant money to cover up to 80% of the costs of providing free transit for at least 30 days on all services offered by the RTD during ozone season. Eligible transit agencies and the RTD can use the money to cover lost fare box revenues and to pay for other expenses necessary to implement the program, including expenses associated with an increase in ridership as a result of the program. The RTD and a transportation association receiving a grant are required to report to the office on the services offered and estimates of the change in ridership as a result of the program.
The office is required to establish policies governing the program
and to report to the house and senate transportation committees by December 31 of each year of the program. The program is repealed, effective July 1, 2024.
The transit and rail division (division) in the department of
transportation is required to create a 3-year pilot project to extend state-run transit services throughout the state with the goals of reducing ground level ozone, increasing ridership, and reducing vehicle miles traveled in the state. The division is required to report to the transportation legislation review committee on the pilot project. The pilot project is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/02/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: F. Winter (D) N. Hinrichsen (D) House: J. Bacon (D) | Status | Governor Signed (05/26/2022) | Position | Support |
|
Bill:
SB22-193
|
Title: |
Air Quality Improvement Investments |
Description | Concerning measures to improve air quality in the state, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. | Summary | Industrial and manufacturing operations clean air grant
program. Section 1 of the bill creates the industrial and manufacturing operations clean air grant program (clean air grant program) through which the Colorado energy office (office) awards grant money to private entities, local governments, and public-private partnerships for voluntary projects to reduce air pollutants from industrial and manufacturing
operations.
Voluntary projects eligible for grant money include:
Energy efficiency projects;
Renewable energy projects;
Beneficial electrification projects;
Transportation electrification projects;
Projects producing or utilizing clean hydrogen;
Projects involving carbon capture at industrial facilities;
Methane capture projects;
Projects producing or utilizing sustainable aviation fuel; and
Industrial process changes that reduce emissions.
Starting in 2025, the office is required to report annually on the
progress of the clean air grant program, submit the report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy matters, and post the reports on the office's website.
On June 30, 2022, the state treasurer shall transfer $25 million
from the general fund to the industrial and manufacturing operations clean air grant program cash fund, which fund is created in the bill. The fund may also consist of money from federal sources and from gifts, grants, and donations. The money in the fund is continuously appropriated to the office for its administration of the clean air grant program.
The clean air grant program is repealed on September 1, 2029. Community access to electric bicycles. Section 2 creates the
community access to electric bicycles grant program (electric bicycles grant program) through which the office awards grant money to local governments and nonprofit organizations that administer or plan to administer a bike share program or an ownership program for the provision of electric bicycles in a community. Section 2 also creates the community access to electric bicycles rebate program (rebate program) through which the office provides individuals in low- and moderate-income households, or bicycle shops that sell electric bicycles to program participants at discounted prices, rebates for purchases of electric bicycles used for commuting purposes.
Starting in 2025, the office is required to report annually on the
progress of the electric bicycles grant program and the rebate program, submit copies of the report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over transportation matters, and post the report on the office's website.
On June 30, 2022, the state treasurer shall transfer $12 million
from the general fund to the community access to electric bicycles cash fund, which fund is created in the bill. The fund may also consist of money from federal sources and from gifts, grants, and donations. The money in the fund is subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly to the office for its administration of the electric bicycles grant program and the rebate program.
The electric bicycles grant program and the rebate program are
repealed on September 1, 2028.
Diesel truck emissions reduction grant program. Section 3
creates the diesel truck emissions reduction grant program (diesel trucks grant program) through which the division of administration (division) in the department of public health and environment (department) awards grant money to certain private and public entities for decommissioning diesel trucks and replacing the trucks with newer model trucks. The division is required to determine eligibility for the grant money and the eligible fuel types for qualifying as a replacement vehicle under the diesel trucks grant program.
Starting in 2023, the department is required to report annually on
the progress of the diesel trucks grant program and submit a copy of the report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy matters.
On June 30, 2022, the state treasurer shall transfer $15 million
from the general fund to the diesel truck emissions reduction grant program cash fund, which fund is created in the bill. The fund may also consist of money from federal sources and from gifts, grants, and donations. The money in the fund is subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly to the department for use by the division for its administration of the diesel trucks grant program.
The diesel trucks grant program is repealed on July 1, 2032. Electrifying school buses grant program. Section 3 also creates
the electrifying school buses grant program (school buses grant program) through which the department, with technical assistance from the office, awards grant money to school districts and charter schools to help finance the purchase and maintenance of electric-powered school buses, the conversion of fossil-fuel-powered school buses to electric-powered school buses, charging infrastructure, and upgrades for electric charging infrastructure and the retirement of fossil-fuel-powered school buses.
Starting in 2025, and every odd-numbered year thereafter, the
department is required to report on the progress of the school buses grant program, submit copies of the report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over education and transportation matters, and post copies of the report on its website.
On June 30, 2022, the state treasurer shall transfer $65 million
from the general fund to the electrifying school buses grant program cash fund, which fund is created in the bill. The fund may also consist of money from federal sources and from gifts, grants, and donations. The money in the fund is subject to annual appropriation by the general assembly to the department for its administration of the school buses grant program.
The school buses grant program is repealed on September 1, 2034. Section 4 updates the definition of federal act regarding the
reference to the federal Clean Air Act. Section 4 also updates the
definition of issue with respect to an order, permit, determination, or notice issued by the division, to remove certified mail and add electronic mail as options to issue such order, permit, determination, or notice.
Section 5 clarifies that the statutory fee caps for fees collected by
the air quality enterprise apply only to the annual stationary source emission fees. The statutory fee caps are $1 million for state fiscal year 2021-22, $3 million for state fiscal year 2022-23, $4 million for state fiscal year 2023-24, and $5 million on and after July 1, 2024.
Section 6 removes the requirement that the division make the
forms on which a person provides details necessary for filing an air pollution emission notice available at all of the air pollution control authority offices.
Section 7 extends the time within which the commission must
grant or deny a request for a hearing from within 15 days after the request was made to within 30 days after the request was made.
Existing law authorizes the commission to submit any additions or
changes to the state implementation plan (SIP) to the administrator of the federal environmental protection agency (administrator) for conditional or temporary approval pending legislative council review of the additions or changes. Section 8 authorizes the commission to submit the changes or additions to the administrator as a provisional submission, pending possible introduction and enactment of a bill to modify or delete all or a portion of the commission's additions or changes to the SIP.
Section 9 makes a conforming amendment. Section 10 appropriates the money transferred from the general
fund to the cash funds created in sections 1, 2, and 3 to the office, the division, and the department for their administration of the programs described in sections 1, 2, and 3. Additionally, section 10 appropriates from the general fund:
$750,000 to the department of personnel for the costs of issuing free annual eco passes to state employees; and
$7,000,000 to the department of public health and environment to finance the aerial surveying of pollutants.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/05/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: S. Fenberg (D) J. Gonzales (D) House: M. Froelich (D) A. Valdez (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/02/2022) | Position | Support |
|
Bill:
SB22-198
|
Title: |
Orphaned Oil And Gas Wells Enterprise |
Description | Concerning measures to address orphaned wells in Colorado, and, in connection therewith, creating the orphaned wells mitigation enterprise. | Summary | The bill creates the orphaned wells mitigation enterprise
(enterprise) in the department of natural resources for the purpose of:
Plugging, reclaiming, and remediating orphaned wells located in the state for which no owner or operator can be found or for which the owner or operator is unwilling or
unable to pay the costs of plugging and abandoning the well;
Ensuring that the costs associated with the plugging, reclaiming, and remediating of orphaned wells are borne by operators in the form of mitigation fees;
Determining the amounts of mitigation fees; and
Imposing and collecting mitigation fees.
On or before August 1, 2022; on or before April 30, 2023; and on
or before April 30 each year thereafter, each operator shall pay a mitigation fee to the enterprise for each well that has been spud but is not yet plugged and abandoned, in accordance with rules promulgated by the Colorado oil and gas conservation commission (commission), in the following amounts:
For operators with production that is equal to or less than a threshold to be determined by rules of the commission, $125 for each well; or
For operators with production that exceeds a threshold to be determined by rules of the commission, $225 for each well.
Money collected as mitigation fees is credited to the orphaned
wells mitigation enterprise cash fund (fund), which is created in the bill.
The bill also creates the orphaned wells mitigation enterprise board
(enterprise board) and requires the enterprise board to administer the enterprise and, at least annually, to:
Consider whether the mitigation fee amounts should be increased or reduced, based on current circumstances and reasonably anticipated future expenditures from the fund;
If the enterprise board determines that an increase or reduction of the mitigation fee amounts is warranted, adjust the mitigation fee amounts; and
Advise the commission of the outcome of the enterprise board's deliberations.
The commission may promulgate rules as necessary to implement
the enterprise.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/18/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: S. Fenberg (D) House: M. Weissman (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/02/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-200
|
Title: |
Rural Provider Stimulus Grant Program |
Description | Concerning a grant program to improve access to health care in rural communities. | Summary | The bill establishes the rural provider access and affordability
stimulus grant program (grant program) in the Colorado department of health care policy and financing (state department). As part of the grant program, the state department may award grants for projects that modernize the affordability solutions and the information technology of health-care providers in rural communities (rural providers) and projects
that expand access to health care in rural communities. The types of rural providers eligible for grants under the grant program are rural hospitals that have a lower net patient revenue or fund balance than other rural hospitals in the state, as determined by the medical services board (state board) by rule.
On or before December 31, 2022:
The state department must adopt guidelines for the grant program (guidelines); and
The state board must adopt rules as necessary for the administration of the grant program (rules).
The bill creates the rural provider access and affordability advisory
committee (advisory committee) in the state department. The advisory committee is required to advise the state department on the administration of the grant program, the adoption of the guidelines, and the selection of grant recipients. The advisory committee is also required to advise on the rules.
The bill also creates the rural provider access and affordability
fund (fund) in the state treasury. The bill requires the state treasurer to transfer $10,000,000 from the economic recovery and relief cash fund to the fund for awarding grants under the grant program and the administration of the grant program.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/18/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: J. Ginal (D) House: J. McCluskie (D) M. Soper (R) | Status | Governor Signed (06/01/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-210
|
Title: |
License Supplemental Health-care Staffing Agencies |
Description | Concerning the regulation of supplemental health-care staffing agencies by the department of public health and environment, and, in connection therewith, requiring supplemental health-care staffing agencies to report data to the department of labor and employment, and requiring the department of public health and environment to analyze information provided by supplemental health-care staffing agencies to determine the need for regulation of staffing agencies and making an appropriation. | Summary | The bill requires the department of public health and environment
(department) to license supplemental health-care staffing agencies (staffing agencies) that employ nurses, nurse aids, physical and occupational therapists, and physical therapist and occupational therapy assistants (health-care workers). A staffing agency is defined as an entity
that employs health-care workers and, for a fee, assigns them to temporary placements in nursing care facilities or assisted living residences (health-care facilities) on a temporary basis for a fee. The bill differentiates a staffing agency from a health-care worker platform where health-care workers can be listed for hire by a health-care facility.
The bill includes qualifications for a license; criteria for applying
for a license and the related fee; and provisions for the issuance, renewal, suspension, or revocation of the license.
On and after April 1, 2023, a person operating an unlicensed
staffing agency is guilty of a civil infraction and is subject to a fine and may be subject to civil penalties.
The bill specifies minimum standards for staffing agencies as
established by the state board of health (state board) by rule. In part, the minimum standards:
Require that a staffing agency maintain professional liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and a surety bond; and
Prohibit a staffing agency from restricting employment opportunities of its health-care worker employees, including a prohibition against requiring liquidated damages, employment fees, or other compensation from health-care workers, if the staffing agency employee is hired as a permanent employee by the health-care facility.
A staffing agency shall check the credentials of health-care worker
employees and require a background check and a check of the Colorado adult protective services (CAPS) database for employees.
The bill requires each staffing agency to report quarterly to the
department concerning the average amount charged for services to health-care facilities and the average amount paid for those services. A staffing agency that fails to report is subject to civil fines and suspension or nonrenewal of its license.
By December 31, 2023, the department shall submit a report to
certain committees of the general assembly and to the governor concerning the department's recommendations for caps or other limitations on service rates and amounts charged to health-care facilities for services provided by a staffing agency's health-care workers. In formulating its recommendations, the department shall conduct a stakeholder process with affected providers and agencies.
The bill requires the department to maintain a current list of
licensed staffing agencies and make the list publicly available on the department's website.
The bill creates a cash fund for licensing fees and penalties.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/05/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: R. Zenzinger (D) House: M. Soper (R) | Status | Governor Signed (06/03/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-225
|
Title: |
Ambulance Service Sustainability And State Licensing |
Description | Concerning emergency medical services in the state, and, in connection therewith, creating an emergency medical services system sustainability task force and requiring ambulance services to obtain a state license from the department of public health and environment and making an appropriation. | Summary | Under current law, ambulance services are regulated at the local
level. On and after July 1, 2024, the bill requires an ambulance service to
obtain a state license from the department of public health and environment (department). In licensing ambulance services, the department is authorized to conduct inspections, investigate and hold hearings regarding alleged violations, and, for any violations found, take action against an ambulance service's license or application for an initial or renewed license, impose civil penalties, or both.
On or before January 1, 2024, the state board of health (board) is
required to adopt rules regarding minimum standards for ambulance services, including equipment, staffing, medical oversight, and general and vehicle liability insurance standards and, if the board deems it necessary, rules imposing application and licensing fees.
On and after July 1, 2024, a county or city and county is authorized
to grant an ambulance service authorization to operate within the county's or city and county's jurisdiction and to enter into service agreements and other contracts with ambulance services operating in the county's or city and county's jurisdiction.
The bill also creates a statewide task force to make statutory, rule,
and policy recommendations for how to preserve, promote, and expand consumer access to emergency medical services in the state, including recommendations:
Regarding the regulation of ambulance service;
To address inequities and disparities in access to emergency medical services;
To address workforce recruiting and retention issues;
To promote the financial sustainability of emergency medical services; and
Regarding the long-term sustainability of emergency medical services.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (05/05/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: L. Liston (R) R. Zenzinger (D) House:
| Status | Governor Signed (06/01/2022) | Position | Monitor |
|
Bill:
SB22-226
|
Title: |
Programs To Support Health-care Workforce |
Description | Concerning measures to support the health-care workforce, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. | Summary | The bill creates the health-care workforce resilience and retention
program (program) using existing initiatives to ensure that Colorado's health-care workforce is adequately supported in order to meet the health-care demands of Coloradans and to support the resilience, well-being, and retention of health-care workers. The program is authorized to seek and expend gifts, grants, and donations to support the program. The program is exempt from the procurement code. The bill
appropriates $2 million from the economic recovery and relief cash fund for the program.
The bill creates the practice-based health education grant program
(grant program) to increase practice-based training opportunities necessary for health profession students enrolled in accredited Colorado schools to complete degree requirements and become licensed to practice. The primary care office in the department of public health and environment administers the grant program and shall conduct a stakeholder engagement process to determine key operational components of the grant program policies and procedures. The bill appropriates $20 million from the economic recovery and relief cash fund for the grant program.
The bill directs the state board of community colleges and
occupational education (board) to administer the in-demand short-term health-care credentials program in order to support the expansion of available health-care professionals. The bill appropriates $26 million from the economic recovery and relief cash fund for these programs. The board shall allocate funds to community colleges, area technical colleges, local district colleges, and community not-for-profit organizations that deliver hybrid programming that leverages place-based supports in partnership with online accredited university programs through reimbursement based on students enrolled in eligible programs for fiscal years 2022-23 to 2025-26 to:
Provide assistance for tuition, fees, and course materials for eligible programs;
Support alignment with existing efforts, such as apprenticeship and work-based learning, for students to earn eligible program credentials that lead into health-care careers such as nursing; and
If unexpended resources exist or if the program use is less than anticipated, to expand eligible programs in allied health based on in-demand credential needs or include high school equivalency support and attainment for students without a high school degree who participate in the program.
The bill requires the primary care office and the governor's office
of information technology to work through the government data advisory board to determine data-sharing agreements that integrate data collected by the state under existing authorities that may inform the analysis of need, allocation of resources, and evaluation of performance of state-administered or state-financed health workforce planning or development initiatives.
Under current law, a nurse who holds a volunteer nurse license
cannot get paid for nursing tasks. The bill removes this limitation.
The bill directs the nurse-physician advisory task force for
Colorado health care to make recommendations on:
Alignment of health-care licensing with federal statutory minimums;
Identification of unnecessary regulatory burdens or barriers;
Regulatory reforms that support health-care licensees to work at their full scope of practice; and
Feasibility of temporary candidate licenses for students nearing the completion of an accredited health-care program.
The bill makes the following changes and additions to the school
nurse grant program:
Repeals the requirement of a 5-year grant cycle;
Requires that the grant supplement, not supplant, funding for school nurse positions existing in the local education provider's most recent fiscal year prior to applying for a grant;
Directs the department of public health and environment to annually award grants; and
Appropriates $3 million to the department of public health and environment for the grant program from the economic recovery and relief cash fund.
The bill appropriates $10 million from the economic recovery and
relief cash fund to the department of public health and environment. The department shall use this appropriation for recruitment and re-engagement efforts of workers in the health-care profession with current or expired licenses and staffing.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/25/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: S. Jaquez Lewis (D) House:
| Status | Governor Signed (05/18/2022) | Position | Monitor |
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Bill:
SB22-236
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Title: |
Review Of Medicaid Provider Rates |
Description | Concerning the review of medicaid provider rates. | Summary | Joint Budget Committee. Current law requires the department of
health care policy and financing (state department) to establish a schedule for a review of provider rates paid under medicaid so that each provider rate is reviewed at least every 5 years and to provide the schedule to the joint budget committee (JBC). Beginning August 1, 2023, the bill requires the state department to establish a schedule so that each provider rate is reviewed at least every 3 years and to provide the schedule to the medicaid provider rate review advisory committee (advisory committee)
in addition to the JBC.
Current law authorizes the advisory committee or the JBC, by a
majority vote, to direct the state department to conduct a review of a provider rate that is not scheduled for review during that year. Effective August 1, 2023, if the state department determines the request for an out-of-cycle review cannot be conducted, the bill requires the state department to provide written notification to the advisory committee and the JBC within 30 days after the request is made stating the reasons the out-of-cycle request cannot be conducted.
Effective August 1, 2023, the bill requires the state department to
utilize information made available by the state department concerning the prior authorization process and billing structure for provider rates if such information is relevant to the review in order to minimize rate disparities for services in professional classifications that are eligible for reimbursement under medicaid.
Effective August 1, 2023, the bill requires the state department to
conduct a public meeting at least quarterly to inform the state department's review of provider rates.
Current law requires the advisory committee consist of 24
members. Effective August 1, 2023, the bill decreases the advisory committee to 7 members and requires the members to have proven expertise related to medicaid in one or more specific areas. The advisory committee is currently scheduled to sunset September 1, 2025. The bill moves the sunset to September 1, 2036.
On or before December 1, 2024, and each December 1 thereafter,
the bill requires the advisory committee to present to the JBC an overview of the provider rate review process, a summary of the provider rates that were reviewed, and the strategies for responding to the findings of the provider rate review.
| Full Text | Full Text of Bill | Fiscal Notes | Fiscal Notes (04/30/2022) | Sponsors (House and Senate) | Senate: C. Hansen (D) House: J. McCluskie (D) | Status | Governor Signed (06/07/2022) | Position | Monitor |
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