House Committee of Reference Report

Committee on Energy & Environment

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This is text that is removed from law.

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February 25, 2026

After consideration on the merits, the Committee recommends the following:

HB26-1112   be amended as follows, and as so amended, be referred to the Committee on Finance with favorable recommendation:

Page 1, Line 1Amend printed bill, page 3, strike line 12.

Page 1, Line 2Renumber succeeding subparagraphs accordingly.

Page 1, Line 3Page 3, line 21, strike "and".

Page 1, Line 4Page 3, line 23, after "priorities;" insert "and

Page 1, Line 5(V)  Establishes timely and efficient authorization and permitting

Page 1, Line 6processes;".

Page 1, Line 7Page 4, after line 5 insert:

Page 1, Line 8"SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 34-60-102, add (4)

Page 1, Line 9as follows:

Page 1, Line 1034-60-102.  Legislative declaration.

Page 1, Line 11(4)  It is further declared to be in the public interest for

Page 1, Line 12the commission to seek and receive primacy over class I, class IV,

Page 1, Line 13and class V injection wells classified in 40 CFR 144.6 because

Page 1, Line 14primacy will enable Colorado to have a tailored approach to

Page 1, Line 15injection well regulation that:

Page 1, Line 16(a)  Facilitates innovative water management strategies,

Page 1, Line 17including aquifer recharge, storage, and recovery necessary to

Page 1, Line 18meet the state's water challenges;

Page 1, Line 19(b)  Provides a more straightforward approach to

Page 1, Line 20permitting, authorizing, and regulating several industries

Page 1, Line 21where state and federal authorities currently overlap;

Page 1, Line 22(c)  Provides reliability in resource commitment and

Page 1, Line 23expectations amidst fluctuating federal priorities; and

Page 2, Line 1(d)  Establishes timely and efficient authorization and

Page 2, Line 2permitting processes.".

Page 2, Line 3Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.

Page 2, Line 4Page 4, line 18, strike "and adopt rules related to".

Page 2, Line 5Page 4, line 21, after "amended." insert "The commission may adopt

Page 2, Line 6rules for the purposes of establishing and operating the

Page 2, Line 7underground injection control authorization and permit

Page 2, Line 8program. The rules adopted by the commission must meet the

Page 2, Line 9requirements prescribed by 42 U.S.C. sec. 300h (b), as amended.

Page 2, Line 10The commission shall seek to establish timely and efficient

Page 2, Line 11authorization and permitting processes.".

Page 2, Line 12Page 4, after line 25 insert:

Page 2, Line 13"(III)  The commission may adopt rules related to class I,

Page 2, Line 14class IV, and class V injection wells that are more stringent

Page 2, Line 15than corresponding enforceable technical federal

Page 2, Line 16requirements only if it is demonstrated at a public hearing, and

Page 2, Line 17the commission finds, that rules more stringent than the

Page 2, Line 18corresponding federal requirements are necessary to protect

Page 2, Line 19public health, safety, and welfare; the environment; and

Page 2, Line 20wildlife resources. A finding pursuant to this subsection

Page 2, Line 21(23)(a)(III) by the commission must be accompanied by a statement

Page 2, Line 22of basis and purpose referring to and evaluating information

Page 2, Line 23and studies related to public health, safety, and welfare; the

Page 2, Line 24environment; and wildlife resources contained in the record

Page 2, Line 25that forms the basis for the commission's finding.".

Page 2, Line 26Page 6, after line 8 insert:

Page 2, Line 27"SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 34-32-102, add (4)

Page 2, Line 28as follows:

Page 2, Line 2934-32-102.  Legislative declaration.

Page 2, Line 30(4)  The general assembly further declares that it is in the

Page 2, Line 31public interest for the board to seek and receive primacy over

Page 2, Line 32class III injection wells because primacy will enable Colorado

Page 2, Line 33to have a tailored approach to injection well regulation that:

Page 2, Line 34(a)  Provides a more straightforward approach to

Page 2, Line 35permitting, authorizing, and regulating several industries

Page 2, Line 36where state and federal authorities currently overlap;

Page 3, Line 1(b)  Provides reliability in resource commitment and

Page 3, Line 2expectations amidst fluctuating federal priorities; and

Page 3, Line 3(c)  Establishes timely and efficient authorization and

Page 3, Line 4permitting processes.".

Page 3, Line 5Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.

Page 3, Line 6Page 8, line 11, strike "and adopt rules related to".

Page 3, Line 7Page 8, line 14, after "amended." insert "The board may adopt rules

Page 3, Line 8for the purposes of establishing and operating the underground

Page 3, Line 9injection control authorization and permit program. The rules

Page 3, Line 10adopted by the board must meet the requirements prescribed by

Page 3, Line 1142 U.S.C. sec. 300h (b), as amended. The board shall seek to

Page 3, Line 12establish timely and efficient authorization and permitting

Page 3, Line 13processes.".

Page 3, Line 14Page 8, after line 17 insert:

Page 3, Line 15"(III)  The board may adopt rules related to class III

Page 3, Line 16injection wells that are more stringent than corresponding

Page 3, Line 17enforceable technical federal requirements only if it is

Page 3, Line 18demonstrated at a public hearing, and the board finds, that

Page 3, Line 19rules more stringent than the corresponding federal

Page 3, Line 20requirements are necessary to protect public health, safety,

Page 3, Line 21and welfare; the environment; and wildlife resources. A finding

Page 3, Line 22pursuant to this subsection (3)(a)(III) by the board must be

Page 3, Line 23accompanied by a statement of basis and purpose referring to

Page 3, Line 24and evaluating information and studies related to public

Page 3, Line 25health, safety, and welfare; the environment; and wildlife

Page 3, Line 26resources contained in the record that forms the basis for the

Page 3, Line 27board's finding.".