To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager
Title
Update: Legislative Update
Body
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Executive Summary
The 2020 regular session of the Colorado General Assembly is just over halfway through. With assistance from the Colorado Municipal League (CML) and other sources, staff monitors legislative activity that is of municipal interest during each year’s legislative session.
Staff does not take a position on any legislation unless so directed by Council. Staff presents summaries of potential bills of interest below for Council’s information and/or action. Additionally, attached (Attachment A) is a list of all of the legislation CML is following thus far this legislative session. If Council is interested in additional information on any of these - or any other - bills, staff will provide such information in a future update.
Discussion
UPDATES ON PAST DISCUSSIONS
Public option healthcare
Legislators on March 5 introduced HB 1349, “Colorado Affordable Health Care Option.” It is assigned to the House Health & Insurance and Appropriations committees and is scheduled to be heard in the former on March 11. According to the bill’s fiscal note (Attachment B), it “directs the Commissioner of Insurance to design a health insurance plan that must be offered by private insurance carriers in the individual market beginning January 1, 2022, and sets reimbursement rates to hospitals under the plan. It will increase state expenditures on an ongoing basis.” Additional high-level details are in the fiscal note. As of March 11, the Douglas County Business Alliance has taken an oppose position on the bill, with the belief that the State should not be part of the healthcare solution for the 8% of people who do not currently have coverage, according to Frank Gray, president/CEO of the Castle Rock EDC. As previously shared, CML is not anticipated to take a position, since the bill does not have a direct municipal impact.
FPPA contribution increase
HB 1044, which would require increases to the Town’s contributions toward the Fire and Police Pension Association - under which CRFD members are covered - has passed the House and Senate. As of the week of March 9, it had not yet been advanced to Gov. Polis for consideration. CML is requesting his veto, due to the financial requirements the bill would impose on municipalities, although he is expected to sign it into law.
As shared in staff’s most recent legislative update, the fiscal impact for CRFD at full implementation in 2028 could be about $500,000 annually. Staff is planning to implement this legislation as it works on budgets for 2021 and beyond.
Colorado Rights Act
HB 1287, which would have allowed people to sue for alleged violations of the Colorado Constitution, has been postponed indefinitely.
Attachments
Attachment A: CML-Followed Legislation as of March 11
Attachment B: Fiscal Note for House Bill 1349