Colorado Legislative Update – Mid-Session Report
The 2013 Colorado legislative session is now at its halfway point. While much of the media attention has focused on higher profile issues, the Colorado business community has been concerned about legislation impacting Colorado businesses. Legislation affecting enterprise zones, business personal property tax exemptions, employment discrimination, and FMLA expansion will affect many Colorado companies.
We still anticipate significant bills will be introduced in the next two weeks impacting workers compensation, employee benefits during a lockout, telecommunications, renewable portfolio standards, carbon emissions, and state procurement contracts. We also expect approximately 15 bills to be introduced which will affect the oil and gas industry. Below is a table detailing important pieces of legislation for Colorado employers and business interests.
Please do not hesitate to contact a member of Holland & Hart's Colorado Governmental Affairs practice group if we can answer specific questions. Holland & Hart provides clients with a full range of legislative and regulatory services in Colorado which includes establishing a legislative strategy, lobbying specific legislation and multi-state legislative and regulatory monitoring.
2013 Colorado Introduced and Proposed Legislation
| Topic |
Bill # |
Summary |
Status |
| Employment |
HB-1222
FMLA Expansion |
As amended, expands FMLA leave to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Introduced bill expanded leave to a broad group of relatives. |
Passed House 3rd Reading |
| Employment |
Employee Lockout |
Would provide unemployment insurance trust fund benefits to employees during a strike regardless of which side caused the strike. Would cover all unionized workers in the state. |
Not yet introduced |
| Employment |
Workers Comp |
Changes to worker's compensation statute to provide increased doctor choice, repeal on penalty on indemnity for workers violating safety rules. |
Not yet introduced |
| Energy |
HB-1269
Conflict on COGCC |
Prohibits a newly appointed commissioner of the COGCC from being an employee of an oil and gas company. |
Introduced |
| Energy |
HB-1267
Oil & Gas Penalties |
Increases max fine for non significant violations increases from $1,000 to $10,000 and fines for violations that have a significant impact on health and safety increase from $5,000 to $15,000. |
Introduced |
| Energy |
Other Oil and Gas |
Up to 15 additional oil and gas bills are expected to be introduced. The bills will deal with setbacks, local control, governance of regulations, water quality, and public health impacts. |
Not yet introduced |
| Environment |
RPS Increase /Carbon Decrease |
Legislation would increase the state's renewable energy standard portfolio requirements from 33% to 40%. There is also a chance that a cap and trade bill will be introduced which would target carbon emissions. |
Not yet introduced |
| Tax Policy |
HB-1142
Enterprise Zone Reforms |
Will limit EZ Investment Tax Credit to 750K per year with a 15 year carry forward. Requires a review of EZ designation every 10 years. |
Passed House Finance Committee. |
This publication is designed to provide general information on pertinent legal topics. The statements made are provided for educational purposes only. They do not constitute legal or financial advice nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Holland & Hart LLP or any of its attorneys other than the author(s). This publication is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship between you and Holland & Hart LLP. Substantive changes in the law subsequent to the date of this publication might affect the analysis or commentary. Similarly, the analysis may differ depending on the jurisdiction or circumstances. If you have specific questions as to the application of the law to your activities, you should seek the advice of your legal counsel.