» 2010 Priorities
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Top Priority Bills for 2010
Global Warming Pollution/Clean Energy
Increase Renewable Energy Standard to 30% by 2020 (fact sheet)
HB 10-1001
Position: Support
Summary: Creates a renewable energy standard (RES) requiring industry-owned utilities to generate 30% of thier electricity from renewable sources by 2020 through annual incremental increases. Under current law such companies must increase their renewable generation to only 20% by 2020.
Sponsors:
Senate: Whitehead
House: Tyler
Recent Actions: 02/12/2010 House Third Reading Passed
03/02/2010 Reffered to Senate Appropriations
Water
Concerning The Long-Term Funding Of The Water Efficiency Grant Program
SB 10-025
Position: Support
Summary: The water efficiency grant program provides resources to water providers for efficiency and conservation programs. It is currently scheduled to be sunset on July 1, 2012. The bill would change the sunset date to July 1, 2020, and authorizes up to $550,000 for the program.
Sponsors:
Senate: Whitehead
House: Baumgardner
Recent Actions: 02/26/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
Mandatory Efficiency Reporting For Water Providers (fact sheet)
HB 10-1051
Position: Support
Summary: The bill creates a statewide water data collection system by requiring the state's largest water providers to annually report to the Colorado Water Conservation Board how much water was provided to major sectors of water customers, and more data collection, including how many customers and what conservation efforts the water provider is undertaking.
Sponsors:
Senate: Whitehead
House: Pommer
Recent Actions: 3/3/2010 House Agriculture and Natural Resouces, Room 0107, Upon Adjournment
Land Preservation
Preventing Urban Renewal Fees From Developing Rural Lands
HB 10-1107
Position: Support
Summary: Prohibits any area that has been designated as an urban renewal area from containing any agricultural land unless it meets specific requirements.
Sponsors:
Senate: Carroll M., Tochtrop
House: Fischer, Ferrandino, Hullinghorst, Pommer
Recent Actions: 02/08/2010 House Third Reading Passed
03/02/2010 Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs, SCR 353, Upon Adjournment
Perpetual Conservation Easement Tax Credit (fact sheet)
HB 10-1169
Position: Oppose
Summary: Restricts the ability of the executive director of the Department of Revenue to contest an appraisal and credit claimed for an easement donated prior to Jan. 1, 2008, unless the valuation has been disallowed by the internal revenue service on or before July 31, 2010, or the valuation is supported solely by an appraisal from an appraiser convicted of fraud or misrepresentation prior to Jan. 1, 2011, in connection with preparing the appraisal.
Sponsors:
Senate:
House: McKinley
Recent Actions: 01/22/2010 Introduced In House - Assigned to Finance
3 Year Cap on Conservation Easement Tax Credit
HB 10-1197
Position: Support
Summary: Maintain the Conservation Easement Tax Credit caped for 3 years at 26 million. The CETC is one of the only meaningful tools available in Colorado to incentivize private land conservation, help reduce the impact of population growth on priority habitats and species and enable ranching, farming and other rural families to retain their land in traditional uses.
Sponsors:
Senate: Heath
House: Ferrandino
Recent Actions: 02/12/2010 House Third Reading Passed
03/09/2010 Senate Finance, SCR 354, 2:00
Mining/Drilling
Increase Oversight of Radioactive Materials
HB 10-1348
Position: Support
Summary: Requires uranium mills, uranium processing facilities, and associated disposal facilities licensed for the disposal of radioactive waste originating outside of Colorado or the acceptance of classified material (uranium processing and disposal facilities) that have caused a release that exceeds groundwater standards to submit an annual report to the owners of wells located within a mile of the contaminated groundwater plume.
Sponsors:
Senate: Kester
House: McFadyen
Recent Actions: 02/16/2010 Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
Secondary Issues
Global Warming/Pollution/Clean Energy
Evaluating New Hydroelectric Energy Facilities For Property Taxation
SB 10-019
Position: Neutral
Summary: The bill requires a new hydroelectric energy facility to be valued for the purpose of property taxation in the same manner in which new wind energy facilities and new solar energy facilities are valued for that purpose.
Sponsors:
Senate: Schwartz
House: Fischer
Recent Actions: 02/11/2010 Senate Third Reading - Passed
03/03/2010 House Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources, Room 0107, 1:30
Pesticide Act Amendment
SB 10-034
Position: Support
Summary: Authorizes the commissioner of the department of agriculture to inspect refillers, impose residue removal and record-keeping requirements, and set expiration dates for pesticide and device registrations by rule.
Sponsors:
Senate: Whitehead
House: Looper
Recent Actions: 02/02/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
03/03/2010 House Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources, Room 0107, 1:30
Incentives for Natural Gas Power
SB 10-074
Position: Monitor
Summary: Incentivizes use of natural gas over coal. Allows all or part of a utility's long-term supply contract for Colorado natural gas to be accounted for as a capital cost. Limits the amount capitalized to the equivalent of the supply contract costs approved for the Comanche III coal-fired plant, and requires the PUC to begin its rule-making by July 1, 2010.
Sponsors:
Senate: Penry
House:
Recent Actions: 03/12/2010 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources, SRC 353, 1:30
Cross-boundary Energy Improvement Districts for Renewables and Installations
SB 10-100
Position: Support
Summary: Allows local improvement districts (LIDs) to band together for energy efficiency projects and renewables. Allows such a disctrict to include multiple counties or municipalities. Also allows for installations to made at a community location, rather than on a residential or commercial building.
Sponsors:
Senate: Schwartz
House: Miklosi
Recent Actions: 02/15/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
02/17/2010 Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
Incenting Distributed Renewable Energy Generation
SB 10-134
Position:
Summary: Creates a 2-to-1 multiplier for renewable energy credits (RECs) earned as a result of installing distributed eligible electric generation facilities, defined as electric generation from an eligible energy source, not exceeding 30 megawatts, that interconnects to existing electric transmission or distribution facilities owned by a Colorado cooperative electric association or municipal utility.
Sponsors:
Senate: Brophy
House: Sonnenberg and Frangas
Recent Actions: 03/02/2010 Senate - State, Veterans & Military Affairs, SRC 353, Upon Adjournment
Geothermal Energy Bill
SB 10-174
Position: Pending
Summary: Defines "direct use" of geothermal energy as use for commercial, residential, agricultural, public facilities, or other energy needs other than the commercial production of electricity. Clarifies groundwater geothermal property rights for landowners.
Sponsors:
Senate: Schwartz
House:
Recent Actions: 02/26/2010 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Local Government and Energy
Increase Waste Tire Regulation
HB 10-1018
Position: Support
Summary: Consolidates authority over waste tire fees collected upon the sale of new motor vehicle tires. The bill all such authority in the department of public health and environment (department) and adds requirements for fire prevention planning, registration, decals, and manifests for certain waste tire haulers and waste tire facilities.
Sponsors:
Senate: Gibbs
House: Looper
Recent Actions: 02/02/2010 House Transportation & Energy, House Room 107, 1:30 p.m.
Administration Of The Stationary Sources Air Quality Permitting Program
HB 10-1042
Position: Monitor
Summary: Requires air quality control commission to make an annual public report about stationary industrial source permits. Changes the open burning law to limit the type of materials that can be burned outside and requires a permit to burn approved materials. The bill increases the civil penalty from $100 to $1,500 for a violation of the open burning law by a person who conducts a burn for noncommercial purposes without a permit.
Sponsors:
Senate: Hodge
House: Peniston
Recent Actions: 02/22/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/24/2010 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health and Human Services
Extending The Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Fund
HB 10-1052
Position: Support
Summary: Makes the fee permanent. Names the recycling resources economic opportunity program “RREOP”, eliminates the July 1, 2010, repeal dates for the existing statutory section creating the solid waste user fee, the recycling resources economic opportunity fund and the recycling resources economic opportunity program.
Sponsors:
Senate: Newell
House: Solano
Recent Actions: 02/01/2010 House Third Reading Passed
03/16/2010 Senate Local Government and Energy, SRC 353, 2:00
Metropolitan Sewage Disposal District Voting Exceptions
SB 10-053
Position: Neutral
Summary: The bill excepts weighted voting conducted in accordance with bylaws of the district, applicable resolutions of the board, or other laws or rules governing the procedures of the board from these requirements.
Sponsors:
Senate: Foster
House: Acree
Recent Actions: 01/28/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
02/19/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Signed by the President of the Senate
Water Project Revolving Fund List Administration
SJR10-004
Position: Pending
Summary: Changes eligibility, approval and funding of water projects in the state.
Sponsors:
Senate: Whitehead
House: Fischer
Recent Actions: 02/03/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 House Third Reading Passed
Navigation Rights of River Outfitter Guides
HB 10-1188
Position: Monitor
Summary: Allows river rafting guides and thier passengers on waterways used for commercial float to make incidental contact with the beds and banks of the waterway while floating and portaging without fear of tresspassing.
Sponsors:
Senate: Hodge
House: Curry
Recent Actions: 02/16/2010 House Third Reading Passed
Sunset Licensing of River Outfitters
HB 10-1221
Position:
Summary: Extends the river outfitting licensure program until September 1, 2019. Broadens the definition of "advertise" in connection with the licensure requirement. Directs the board of parks and outdoor recreation (board) to adopt a schedule for license renewals, with license terms not to exceed
3 years.
Sponsors:
Senate: Curry
House: Schwartz
Recent Actions: 02/24/2010 House Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources, Room 0107, 1:30
Funding Colorado Water Conservation Board Projects
HB 10-1250
Position:
Summary: Appropriates from the Colorado water conservation board construction fund $250,000 for continuation of satellite monitoring system maintenance; $50,000 for instream flow engineering and technical support services; $175,000 for continuation of the weather modification program; $500,000 for continuation of the Colorado floodplain map modernization program; $250,000 for continuation of the watershed restoration program; and up to $300,000 to restore the unencumbered balance in the flood response fund to $300,000.
Sponsors:
Senate: Hodge
House: Fischer
Recent Actions: 02/24/2010 House Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources, Room 0107, 1:30
Growth/Transportation
Repeal Late Registration Fees (Related to FASTER)
SB 10-004
Position: Oppose
Summary: Repeals the mandatory late vehicle registration fee of $25 per month up to a maximum of $100 and reinstates the waivable fee of up to $10 that was in effect prior before the FASTER bill. And repeals the supplemental unregistered vehicle fine of $25 per month up to a maximum of $100 imposed on a person convicted of a misdemeanor for knowingly failing to register a vehicle within 90 days of becoming a Colorado resident.
Sponsors:
Senate: White
House:
Recent Actions: 03/10/2010 Senate Committee on State, Veterans & Military Affairs, SCR 353, 1:30
Creation Of Efficiencies In Governmental Entities Providing Public Services
SB 10-029
Position: Oppose
Summary: Requires cuts in state government, including eliminating DOLA and giving duties to lieutenant governor. Eliminates all duties of the office of the executive director of the department of local affairs and directs those duties to the lieutenant governor. Implements a 2-year statewide hiring freeze requiring the governor to sign off on all new hires.
Sponsors:
Senate: Penry
House:
Recent Actions: 03/08/2010 Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs, SCR 353, 1:30
Repeal Late Registration Fees
SB 10-044
Position: Oppose
Summary: Repeals the mandatory late vehicle registration fee of $25 per month up to a maximum of $100 and reinstates the waivable fee of up to $10 that was in effect prior before the FASTER bill. And repeals the supplemental unregistered vehicle fine of $25 per month up to a maximum of $100 imposed on a person convicted of a misdemeanor for knowingly failing to register a vehicle within 90 days of becoming a Colorado resident.
Sponsors:
Senate: Lundberg
House: Lambert
Recent Actions: 03/10/2010 Senate Committee on State, Veterans & Military Affairs, SCR 353, 1:30
Revenue Department’s Division Of Motor Vehicles Donations To Go To The Colorado State Titling And Registration Account In The Highway Users Tax Fund.
SB 10-055
Position: Neutral
Summary: Allows the revenue department’s division of motor vehicles to accept gifts, grants, and donations to develop and operate the Colorado state titling and registration system. Received donations are credited to the Colorado state titling and registration account in the highway users tax fund. Money leftover in the account at the end of a fiscal year remains in the account and isn’t transferred to the general fund or any other fund.
Sponsors:
Senate: Harvey
House:
Recent Actions: 02/02/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
02/03/2010 Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
Repeal Nonmotorized Vehicle Late Fees
SB 10-057
Position: Oppose
Summary: As of July 1, 2010, for nonmotorized vehicles only, the bill repeals the mandatory late vehicle registration fee of $25 per month up to a maximum of $100 enacted by Senate Bill 09-108 and reinstates the waivable fee of up to $10 that was in effect prior to the enactment of Senate Bill 09-108.
Sponsors:
Senate: Cadman
House:
Recent Actions: 03/10/2010 Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs, SCR 353, 1:30
Creating a Colorado State Park License Plate
SB 10-103
Position: Neutral
Summary: The bill creates the Colorado state parks special license plate. A person becomes eligible for the plate by donating $44 to the foundation for Colorado state parks. In addition to the normal motor vehicle fees, the plate requires 2 one-time fees of $25. One of the fees is credited to the highway users tax fund and the other to the licensing services cash fund.
Sponsors:
Senate: Sandoval
House: Baumgardner
Recent Actions: 02/24/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed with Amendments
02/26/2010 Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
No-Street-Use Vehicle Registration Fee
SB 10-137
Position:
Summary: Establishes a no-street-use registration for idle vehicles. Prohibits such a vehicle from being operated on public highways. Fines violators of the no-street-use registration of the penalty for failing to register a vehicle and the amount equal to the amount saved when registering the vehicle as a no-street-use vehicle. Reduces the amount of ownership tax on such a vehicle by 50%.
Sponsors:
Senate: Renfroe
House: Gardner, C.
Recent Actions: 03/02/2010 Senate State, Veterans & Military Affairs, SCR 353, Upon Adjournment
Modifying the "Urban and Rural Enterprise Zone Act" to Improve Accountability
SB 10-162
Position:
Summary: Specifies that the population of an enterprise zone shall be calculated using data from the most recent federal decennial census at the county, municipal, or block levels. In addition, the bill increases the population limitation for an urban enterprise zone to 115,000 people and increases the limitation for a rural enterprise zone to 150,000 people.
Sponsors:
Senate: Hullinghorst
House: Heath
Recent Actions: 02/26/2010 Senate Appropriations, SCR 356, 8:00
Registering Farm Vehicles
HB 10-1101
Position: Neutral
Summary: The bill exempts people who use at least 100 acres for agricultural production from this requirement to register a farm truck. Currently, a county clerk may require that a person demonstrate that the person's primary business is agriculture to register a motor vehicle as a farm truck.
Sponsors:
Senate:
House: Baumgardner
Recent Actions: 02/23/2010 House Transportation & Energy + Appropriations, Room 0107, 1:30
Distressed Property Regulation
HB 10-1118
Position: Pending
Summary: The bill specifies that the regulation of distressed real property is a matter of purely local concern and adds an enumerated power so that the board of county commissioners may adopt ordinances related to this matter.
Sponsors:
Senate: Hudak
House: Kerr J.
Recent Actions: 02/19/2010 House Third Reading Passed
03/18/2010 Senate Local Government and Energy, SCR 353, 2:00
Increasing Safety of Roads for Non-Motorized Vehicles
HB 10-1147
Position: Support
Summary: Takes numerous steps to increase the safety of non-motorized transportation on roads throughout Colorado. Codifies the existing bicycle and pedestrian policy directive of the department of transportation (CDOT) into law and makes legislative declarations.
Sponsors:
Senate: Bacon
House: Kefalas
Recent Actions: 03/01/2010 House Second Reading
Eliminates State Tax Credit for Vehicles That Get Less Than 40 Miles Per Gallon
HB 10-1196
Position: Monitor
Summary: Disqualifies category 7 motor vehicles (motor vehicles that meet certain federal guidelines and have a minimum fuel economy of 30 miles per gallon but less than 40 miles per gallon) from the state income tax credit for purchases of category 7 motor vehicles made on or after January 1, 2011. Current law specifies that such vehicles qualify for a state income tax credit for the purchase of vehicles using alternative fuels for the tax years commencing January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2011.
Sponsors:
Senate: Heath
House: Ferrandino
Recent Actions: 02/01/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/10/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
02/24/2010 Governor Action - Signed
Reducing the Late Registration Penalty For Vehicles Under 2,000 Pounds
HB 10-1211
Position: Monitor
Summary: As of July 1, 2010, the bill reduces the penalty for late registration of a vehicle without motive power that weighs 2,000 pounds or less from $25 per month up to $100 to $10.
Sponsors:
Senate: Williams
House: Tyler
Recent Actions: 02/23/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Establish Allowable Circumstances to Eliminate Late Vehicle Registration Fee
HB 10-1212
Position:
Summary: Requires the Department of Revenue Director to establish circumstances in which a vehicle owner shall be exempted from paying the late fee for late registration of a motor vehicle. Requires the rules to be statewide and include "Acts of God" and weather-related delays; Office closures and furloughs; Medical hardships, and others.
Sponsors:
Senate: White
House: Schwartz
Recent Actions: 02/23/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Railroad Right-of-Way Sale for Public Passenger Service
HB 10-1276
Position:
Summary: Allows a railroad company to sell its right-of-way for a public passenger service.
Sponsors:
Senate: Mitchell
House: Levy
Recent Actions: 03/01/2010 House Judiciary, Room 0107, 1:30
Increase Fines to Fund Tax Incentives for Commerical Vehicles
HB 10-1285
Position:
Summary: Raises fines on overweight vehicles an uses the fine to fund a sales tax refund and income credit for commercial vehicle investment in Colorado.
Sponsors:
Senate: Tapia
House: Priola
Recent Actions: 02/05/2010 Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation & Energy + Finance
Land-Use Approval Regulation by Local Governments
HB 10-1292
Position:
Summary: Prohibits local governments from imposing discretionary conditions upon a land-use approval unless the condition is based upon duly adopted standards that are sufficiently specific to ensure that the condition is imposed in a rational and
consistent manner.
Sponsors:
Senate: Harvey
House: Murray
Recent Actions: 03/01/2010 House Second Reading
Agricultural Land Property Tax Study
HB 10-1293
Position: Monitor
Summary: Creates task force to study assessment and classification of agricultural and residential land and propose statutory modifications to ensure that land is valued based on its actual use. Task force could create up to five bills based on their conclusions.
Sponsors:
Senate:
House: Massey
Recent Actions: 02/23/2010 House State, Veterans, & Military Affairs + Appropriations, Room 0112, 1:30
Green Building Incentive Pilot Program
HB 10-1331
Position: Pending
Summary: Requires the governor's energy office to create a green building incentive pilot program. GEO will award grants to qualified homebuyers who are selling current primary residences with home energy ratings below minimum standards and purchasing highly efficient new residential construction.
Sponsors:
Senate:
House: Gerou
Recent Actions: 02/08/2010 Introduced In House - Assigned to Transportation & Energy
Oil & Gas/Severance Tax
Incorporating Oil and Gas Wells Into the Prior Appropriation System
SB 10-165
Position:
Summary: Except for coal bed methane wells, no well permit is required if the nontributary ground water being removed will not be beneficially used or beneficially used only for uses allowed under the "Oil and Gas Conservation Act". Extends the well permitting and substitute water supply plan compliance deadlines for oil and gas wells, including coal bed methane wells, from March 31, 2010, to August 1, 2010.
Sponsors:
Senate: Hodge
House: Hullinghorst
Recent Actions: 02/22/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
03/02/2010 House Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources, Room 0107, Upon Adjournment
Severance Tax Withholding Penalty
HB 10-1060
Position: Support
Summary: The bill establishes a penalty for producers or purchasers that fail to make the 1% severance tax payment that is equal to 10% of the payment owed or $50, whichever is the greater amount, plus interest on the payment owed. The bill also establishes a penalty for failing to file the annual report required by the department that is equal to 30% of the amount of withholding that should have been reflected in the report or $5,000, whichever is the lesser amount.
Sponsors:
Senate: Steadman
House: Kagan
Recent Actions: 01/27/2010 House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Appropriations
Use of Portion of Severance Tax to Purchase Precious Metals for the State Emergency Fund
HB 10-1155
Position: Monitor
Summary: Requires the revenue from the severance tax on gold, silver, platinum, and palladium (precious metals) to be credited to the newly created state emergency reserve cash fund. Requires the state treasurer to use the moneys in the fund to purchase precious metals. The precious metals will be designated as part of the state emergency reserve and used accordingly.
Sponsors:
Senate: Lundberg
House: Lambert
Recent Actions: 02/02/2010 House State, Veterans, & Military Affairs, House Room 0107, 1:30
Budget Package Bill
HB 10-1319
Position: Monitor
Summary: For the 2010-11 and 2011-12 state fiscal years, eliminates the transfers from the operational account of the severance tax trust fund to the governor's energy office low-income energy assistance fund. Requires the state treasurer to transfer back to the operational account a 2009-10 state fiscal year transfer of $1.625 million that occurred on Jan. 4, 2010, from the operational account of the severance tax trust fund to the department of human services low-income energy assistance fund for providing energy-related assistance to low-income households.
Sponsors:
Senate: Tapia
House: Ferrandino
Recent Actions: 02/18/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
Severance Tax Funding for Parks and Recreation
HB 10-1326
Position: Support
Summary: Decreases the authorization to the Colorado oil and gas conservation commission from up to 40% to up to 35% of the account. Increases the authorization to the division of parks and outdoor recreation from up to 5% to up to 10% of the account; and allows the increased appropriation to supplant moneys that would otherwise be available to the parks division. Decreases the 2009 long bill general fund appropriation to the parks division by $2,147,415 and increases its cash fund appropriation by the same amount.
Sponsors:
Senate: Tapia
House: Pommer
Recent Actions: 02/19/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
Wildlife/Public Lands
Creating a Lifetime State Parks Pass For Seniors.
SB 10-071
Position: Neutral
Summary: The bill creates the aspen leaf lifetime pass, which will cost no more than $150, for state residents exceeding an age set by the board of parks and outdoor recreation for the aspen leaf annual pass. The pass allows its holder entry into state parks and recreation areas for the duration of the holder's lifetime.
Sponsors:
Senate: Morse
House: Riesberg
Recent Actions: 03/02/2010 Senate Second Reading
Funding Conservation of Colorado's Natural Resources
SB 10-098
Position: Pending
Summary: Transfers money in the conservation trust fund to the department of agriculture to fund the natural resource and noxious weed management efforts. Transfers will include $5 million to the conservation district grant fund; and $2.5 million to the noxious weed management fund.The amounts transferred from the conservation trust fund increase if the interest rate on moneys held in the conservation trust fund increases.
Sponsors:
Senate: Tochtrop
House: Sonnenberg
Recent Actions: 02/26/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
Rocky Flats Health Hazard Signage and Brochures
HB 10-1127
Position: Neutral
Summary: The bill requires the posting of signs and supplementary brochures at entrances to the Rocky Flats national wildlife refuge that contain specified information about the presence of, and risks posed by, plutonium and other toxic substances that were used in the production of nuclear weapons at the site.
Sponsors:
Senate:
House: McKinley
Recent Actions: 03/09/2010 House State, Veterans, & Military Affairs, House Room 0112, 1:30
Creating the Colorado Kids Outdoors Grant Program for Environmental Education
HB 10-1131
Position: Support
Summary: Creates the Colorado kids outdoors grant program in the department of natural resources to provide grants for programs that allow children to participate in outdoor activities in the state, including but not limited to programs that emphasize the environment and experiential, field-based learning.
Sponsors:
Senate: Gibbs
House: Scanlan
Recent Actions: 03/05/2010 House Second Reading
Sunset Repeal Forestry Advisory Board
HB 10-1223
Position:
Summary: Implements the recommendations of the department of regulatory agencies in its sunset review of the forestry advisory board within the division of forestry in the department of natural resources by repealing the board.
Sponsors:
Senate: Whitehead
House: Baumgartner
Recent Actions: 02/18/2010 House Third Reading Passed
03/03/2010 Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources, SCR 353, Upon Adjournment
Wildlife Crossing Zones
HB 10-1238
Position:
Summary: The bill allows the department of transportation, in consultation with the division of wildlife in the department of natural resources, to establish areas within the public highways of the state as wildlife crossing zones.
Sponsors:
Senate: Schwartz
House: Curry
Recent Actions: 03/08/2010 House Transportation & Energy, Room 0107, 1:30
Supplemental Appropriation to Dept. of Natural Resources
HB 10-1309
Position: Monitor
Summary: Cuts budget from $212,045,852 to $210,148,483. Mainly from cash funds.
Sponsors:
Senate: Keller
House: Pommer
Recent Actions: 02/18/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
Settlement Funding for the Natural Resource Damage Recovery Fund
HB 10-1325
Position: Pending
Summary: Transfers 62.3% of the interest earned on certain settlement moneys in the natural resource damage recovery fund to the hazardous substance response fund on an annual basis until a total of $1,657,577 has been transferred. The bill transfers the remaining 37.7% of the interest earned on such moneys in the natural resource damage recovery fund to the general fund on an annual basis until a total of $1,004,873 has been transferred.
Sponsors:
Senate: White
House: Lambert
Recent Actions: 02/18/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
Other
Organic Certification Act Amendment, Authorizing The Commissioner Of Agriculture To Contract With Independent Organics Inspectors And Altering The Composition Of The Organic Certification Advisory Board
SB 10-038
Position: Monitor
Summary: This bill allows the commissioner of the department of agriculture to contract with qualified independent inspectors to conduct inspections under the act. The bill also authorizes the commissioner to promulgate minimum qualifications for those inspectors. The bill also increases the size of the organic certification advisory board from 9 to 12 members.
Sponsors:
Senate: Hodge
House: Fischer
Recent Actions: 01/28/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
03/03/2010 House Agriculture, Livestock & Natural Resources, Room 0107, 1:30
Repealing Term Limits Applicable To The Environmental Commission Of The Southern Ute Indian Tribe/State Of Colorado Commission
SB 10-082
Position: Monior
Summary: The bill repeals the term limits applicable to the members of the Southern Ute Indian tribe/state of Colorado environmental commission and repeals a moot condition relating to the repeal of the commission.
Sponsors:
Senate: Whitehead
House: Roberts
Recent Actions: 02/16/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
03/08/2010 House Health and Human Services, Room LSB-A, 1:30
Certification of Users of Prescribed Burning Standards
SB 10-102
Position: Monitor
Summary: Directs the Colorado state forest service to establish training and certification standards for users of prescribed fire, including certified burner and noncertified burner designations, recommended processes for certified burners to conduct a prescribed fire, recommended organizational structures for prescribed burn operations, training standards for certified burners, and identification of preexisting fees, permit requirements, liabilities, liability exemptions, and penalties for prescribed burn personnel and landowners.
Sponsors:
Senate: Gibbs
House: Fischer
Recent Actions: 02/22/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
03/10/2010 House Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources, Room 0107, 1:30
Colorado Open Records Act
SB 10-114
Position: Neutral
Summary: The bill extends the application of the "Colorado Open Records Act" (CORA) to all writings made, maintained, or kept by any entity that receives public moneys or performs a governmental or other public function and that relate to the receipt of the public moneys or the performance of that function.
Sponsors:
Senate: Carroll M.
House: Weissmann
Recent Actions: 02/25/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
Temporary Transfer of Public School Land Money
SB 10-150
Position:
Summary: For the 2010-11 state fiscal year, transfers otherwise unallocated funds to the state public school fund, instead of the permanent school fund, monies received for use of public school lands, including timber sales, rentals, mineral extraction and more.
Sponsors:
Senate: Tapia
House: Pommer
Recent Actions: 02/24/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations
Phonebook Bill—Bans unrequested delivery of more than one pound of paper
HB 10-1068
Position: Support
Summary: Violation is punishable by a $50 fine per delivery for the first 100 recipients and $1,000 per recipient for subsequent deliveries, and the fines are capped at $100,000 per year. Prohibits telephone service providers from delivering a white page directory to a customer unless the customer requests the delivery. Prohibits a person from delivering paper documents to another person's property in excess of one pound unless the recipient requests the delivery, which request remains valid for 5 years.
Sponsors:
Senate:
House: Ferrandino
Recent Actions: 03/02/2010 House Transportation & Energy, Room 0107, 1:30
State Measurements for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act
HB 10-1119
Position: Monitor
Summary: Requires the joint budget committee (JBC) to consider any report approved by the office of state planning and budgeting from a department that suggests improved budgetary efficiency or administrative flexibility through line item consolidation in the annual general appropriation act. Requires the JBC to prioritize requests for information in preparing any letter to the governor after passage of the annual general appropriation act.
Sponsors:
Senate: Shaffer B.
House: Ferrandino
Recent Actions: 02/19/2010 House State, Veterans, & Military Affairs, House Room 0112, 1:30
Animal Welfare Law
HB 10-1124
Position: Oppose
Summary: The bill makes various changes regarding animal welfare laws. Identifies a person engaged in animal control for a local governmental entity as a peace officer and specifies that the person's authority is limited to enforcement of ordinances and resolutions related to pet animal control. Increases from $100,000 to $1 million the minimum amount of liability insurance that animal protection agents who are agents of nonprofit corporations are required to carry. Allows conviction of an offense of cruelty to animals or any felony of moral turpitude to be used as grounds for denial of employment in the department.
Sponsors:
Senate:
House: McKinley
Recent Actions: 02/26/2010 House Second Reading Lost with Amendments
Increased Transparency in Gifts for State-Funded Programs
HB 10-1178
Position: Pending
Summary: Requires that each state agency that receives grant moneys submit a report to the joint budget committee of the general assembly specifying information about the grant. Includes the source, amount, and duration of the grant and the specific program for which the grant money is intended to be used. The bill requires state agencies to request that grant donors submit a letter including such information to the state agency at the time of making the grant to assist the state agency in tracking and reporting all grants received during a fiscal year. Requires each new bill enacted by the general assembly on or after January 1, 2011, to include a notice of funding requirement if a program, service, study, interim committee, or other function of state government (program) created in the new bill will be funded by grant moneys.
Sponsors:
Senate: Scheffel
House: Stephens
Recent Actions: 02/22/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/24/2010 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans & Military Affairs
Scholarships for Green Jobs and Medical
HB 10-1262
Position: Pending
Summary: Creates the Colorado green jobs scholarship program for $500,000 and the Colorado medical services job training scholarship program for $1 million. Funded by collegeinvest.
Sponsors:
Senate:
House: Frangas
Recent Actions: 02/22/2010 House Education, Room 0112, 1:30
Income Tax Credit for Nonprofit Job Creation
HB 10-1280
Position: Support
Summary: Establishes the Colorado nonprofit job creation incentive tax credit from Jan. 1, 2011 to Jan. 1 2017. Allows a taxpayer to claim a credit of 25% of any nonprofit intermediary for the ability to solicit donations for purposes of creating nonprofit jobs. The total amount of the credits available in a calendar year is $1 million.
Sponsors:
Senate: Romer
House: Summers
Recent Actions: 02/24/2010 House Finance + Appropriations, Room LSB-A, Upon Adjournment
Supplemental Appropriation to Dept of Agriculture
HB 10-1297
Position: Pending
Summary: Cuts budget from $39,063,248 to $38,793,845. Cuts offset by increased re-appropriations.
Sponsors:
Senate: Keller
House: Pommer
Recent Actions: 02/18/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
Dept. of Public Health and Environment Supplemental Bill
HB 10-1311
Position: Monitor
Summary: Dept. of Public Health and Environment Supplemental Bill cuts more than $16.5 million cut from budget. Mainly in cash funds, from $446,325,693 to $429,822,218.
Sponsors:
Senate: Keller
House: Pommer
Recent Actions: 02/18/2010 House Third Reading Passed
02/26/2010 Senate Third Reading Passed
