Colorado Senate Approves Four Bills Amid Special Legislative Session

Strategic Insights -

A special legislative session in Colorado continues with the state Senate voting on four bills addressing a billion-dollar state budget gap caused by changes to the federal tax code. Senate Bill 25B-1, sponsored by Senate President James Coleman and Senator Judy Amabile, was approved by a narrow 19-16 vote and would establish a process for the governor to notify and consult with the Joint Budget Committee on mid-year spending cuts.

The governor can suspend and cut state funding if the reserve needs to be tapped by up to 3% of the General Fund budget or if the reserve is projected to dip below $1 billion. Senator Judy Amabile introduced an amendment changing the reserve threshold in the bill from 2% to 3%.

All Senate Republicans, along with four Democratic senators, voted against the bill, citing concerns over seceding power to the governor and accountability and responsibility. Senate Bill 25B-2 would allow the state to pay for Medicaid services from reproductive health care organizations, passing 23-12 along party lines.

Democrats also passed Senate Bill 25B-3 on another party-line vote, changing a referred ballot measure in November to ask voters if the state can use extra money collected for universal school meals to cover costs related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Senate Bill 25B-5 received bipartisan support with a vote of 32-3 and would reallocate about $260,000 from the wolf reintroduction program to a state health insurance fund.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senate Bill 25B-1, sponsored by Senate President James Coleman and Senator Judy Amabile, passed with a narrow 19-16 vote and would establish a process for the governor to notify and consult with the Joint Budget Committee on mid-year spending cuts.
  • The bill would allow the governor to suspend and cut state funding if the reserve needs to be tapped by up to 3% of the General Fund budget or if the reserve is projected to dip below $1 billion.
  • Senator Judy Amabile introduced an amendment changing the reserve threshold in the bill from 2% to 3%.
  • All Senate Republicans and four Democratic senators voted against the bill.
  • Senate Bill 25B-2 would allow the state to pay for Medicaid services from reproductive health care organizations, passing 23-12 along party lines.
  • Senate Bill 25B-3 changed a referred ballot measure to ask voters if the state can use extra money collected for universal school meals to cover costs related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
  • Senate Bill 25B-5 received bipartisan support with a vote of 32-3, reallocating $260,000 from the wolf reintroduction program to a state health insurance fund.
  • The wolf reintroduction program was amended in committee to still allow the capture and release of wolves this winter.

Statistics:

  • The state budget gap triggered by changes to the federal tax code is $1 billion.
  • The governor can suspend and cut state funding if the reserve needs to be tapped by up to 3% of the General Fund budget or if the reserve is projected to dip below $1 billion.
  • Senate Bill 25B-1 passed with a 19-16 vote.
  • Senate Bill 25B-2 passed with a 23-12 vote.
  • Senate Bill 25B-3 passed with a party-line vote.
  • Senate Bill 25B-5 passed with a 32-3 vote.
  • The wolf reintroduction program was amended in committee.

Sources:

  • https://coloradonewsline.com/livefeeds/special-session-on-colorado-budget-woes-gets-underway/
  • https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB25B-001
  • https://coloradonewsline.com/subscribe
  • https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB25B-002
  • https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB25B-003
  • https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB25B-005
  • https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/lawmakers-back-off-plan-to-pause-colorados-wolf-reintroduction-program/
  • https://coloradonewsline.com/donate/?oa_referrer=midstorybox