Hello everyone,
Next year’s Long Bill is on its way to the Governor. On Friday, the Senate approved the conference committee report on the Long Bill and repassed the bill. Late Sunday afternoon, the House also approved the conference committee report and repassed the bill. However, the JBC acting as the conference committee on the Long Bill made some changes that impact the State Patrol’s budget for next year. The JBC decided not to fund decision items #10 (Law Enforcement Recruiting) and #11 (Colorado State Patrol Professional Staff) and instead used that $1.2 million of HUTF to refinance general fund in the State Patrol’s salary survey line. The State Patrol’s salary survey for next year is still fully funded. While it is disappointing that we did not end up getting decision items #10 and #11, the refinancing of the salary survey with HUTF instead of general fund will be helpful in securing salary survey increases next year.
On Wednesday, the House Finance Committee referred SB 044 PERA Retiree Refundable Income Tax Credit, that the CSPA supports, to the House Appropriations Committee. SB 044 creates a $700 refundable state income tax credit for income qualified PERA retirees in tax years 2024 and 2025. Given the scarcity of monies available for bills currently in Appropriations, SB 044 will have a tough road to get out of the House Appropriations Committee.
On Friday, the House debated HB 1292 Prohibit Certain Weapons Used in Mass Shootings (the assault weapons ban). Democratic leadership limited debate on HB 1292 to five hours, but the bill passed second reading as expected. In another sign that we are approaching the end of the session, the House convened on Sunday to debate HB 1292 on third reading which lasted over four-and-a-half hours. HB 1292 passed 35 to 27 with nine Democrats joining all the Republicans present in voting no. HB 1292 is expected to have a much tougher time in the Senate.
So far, there have been 655 bills introduced – 450 in the House and 205 in the Senate. Only 23 days until the General Assembly is required to adjourn sine die.
Bill Skewes
Lobbyist