Because of budget constraints, the 75th Colorado General Assembly did not approve any new interim committees for this year and suspended the meetings of several current interim committees. However, many year-round and interim committees held meetings and proposed legislation this interim. We are taking this opportunity to share some information regarding the ongoing interim work performed by legislative year-round committees in addition to a handful of interim committees that did meet and propose legislation.
Year-round, also known as standing, committees can meet during session and the interim in order to perform their legislative duties. The ones that held meetings this interim were:
The Black Coloradan Racial Equity Study Commission, which includes legislative and non-legislative members. Its stated purpose is to study and make recommendations regarding potential historical and ongoing effects of slavery and subsequent systemic racism on Black Coloradans that may be attributed to the practices, systems, and policies of the state. It is currently working on a report on what it has learned.
The Capitol Building Advisory Committee, which meets regularly throughout the year to review and advise regarding the Capitol building’s historic character, including its art, memorials, furniture, and architectural fixtures. The committee includes legislative and non-legislative members. Topics the committee discussed this interim include the Capitol Annex Renovation Project, the Governor’s Office Rehabilitation project, and Capitol art exhibits.
The Capital Development Committee, which is responsible for reviewing funding requests for capital projects from state agencies and making prioritized recommendations to the Joint Budget Committee. This interim, the committee considered property transactions from several executive agencies and the Art in Public Places program, along with other funding requests. The committee is next scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16.
The Colorado Commission on Uniform State Laws, which is charged with working with the Uniform Law Commission to promote uniformity in state laws where uniformity may be desirable and practicable. Although a year-round committee, the Colorado Commission, which includes legislative and non-legislative members, meets during the interim to take public testimony on uniform laws being considered for introduction in Colorado. Its next meeting is scheduled for 1:30 pm on Friday, December 12.
The Committee on Legal Services, which meets to review legislative staff recommendations regarding executive branch agency rules. Also, as the oversight committee for the Office of Legislative Legal Services, it may be required to meet to consider other legislative or legal actions. Currently, the committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 11 at 8:30 a.m.
The Executive Committee of the Legislative Council, which provides oversight over the legislative service agencies and their directors, establishes policies regarding legislative management and procedures, and introduces the annual legislative appropriation bill. It meets at least twice during the interim, usually following a meeting of the Legislative Council, but can meet more often as legislative needs demand, such as when the Governor calls for a special session.
The Joint Budget Committee, which is responsible for studying the management, operations, programs, and fiscal needs of the agencies and institutions of Colorado state government. It holds a number of meetings throughout the year, with a significant number in November and December, and considers a range of documents to help prepare budget recommendations for the General Assembly. It is currently monitoring this fiscal year’s emerging budgetary needs and gathering information for the next fiscal year’s budget.
The Joint Technology Committee, which has oversight responsibility for major state technology projects and the Governor’s Office of Information Technology. This interim, it heard technology reports and requests from several executive agencies, including the Colorado Broadband Office, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Personnel and Administration, and Department of Corrections. Currently, it is scheduled to meet next at 9 a.m. on December 16.
The Legislative Audit Committee, which is responsible for reviewing and releasing audit reports and recommending special studies. It consists of four senators and four representatives with equal representation from the two major political parties. The committee is currently scheduled to meet next at 9 a.m. on Monday, December 8.
The Legislative Council, which is the legislative oversight committee for Legislative Council Staff and is responsible for approving written requests for interim study committees during session, reviewing legislation created by interim committees meeting during the legislative interim, and reviewing the ballot information booklet prepared by Legislative Council Staff. It met on November 14 to review legislation proposals from the Transportation Legislation Review Committee, the Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems, the Water Resources and Agricultural Review Committee, and the Wildlife Matters Review Committee.
The Water Resources and Agriculture Review Committee, which studies the conservation, use, development, and financing of Colorado’s water resources and monitors and addresses Colorado’s agricultural issues. It generally meets several times during the interim and hosts meetings in different areas of the state. This interim, it submitted three bills to the Legislative Council for approval for introduction: Agricultural Property Tax Definitions, Restrict Renewable Energy Projects in Rural Areas, and Protections for Ag Products Grown in Colorado.
Interim committees that met during this interim:
The Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee, which reviews the work of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council and recommends legislation regarding issues affecting Colorado youth. It met once this interim to consider the COYAC 2024-25 Policy Recommendations.
The Transportation Legislation Review Committee, which reviews and initiates transportation, traffic, and motor vehicle legislation and consults with experts in the fields of traffic regulation, the licensing of drivers, the registration and titling of motor vehicles, and highway construction and planning. This interim, it considered reports from a number of organizations and submitted two bills to the Legislative Council for introduction approval: Electronic Vehicle Records and Clean Fleet Enter Replace Aging Diesel Trucks.
The Treatment of Persons with Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems, which is responsible for overseeing the Behavioral Health Disorders in the Criminal Justice System Task Force and recommending bills to implement the proposals studied by the task force. This interim, the committee submitted three bills to the Legislative Council for introduction approval: Youthful Offender System Updates, Treating People with Behavioral Health Disorder, and Modifications to Defense of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity.
The Wildfire Matters Review Committee, which studies wildfire prevention and mitigation. The committee submitted two bills to the Legislative Council for introduction approval: Recreate Wildfire Matters Interim Committee and CO State Forest Service Good Neighbor Authority. Note that the committee repealed on September 1 of this year.