A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning use of the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Page 1, Line 102Act" cash fund to support the state's defense against
Page 1, Line 103adverse federal action, and, in connection therewith,
Page 1, Line 104making an appropriation.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill appropriates $4 million from the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" cash fund (fund) to the office of the governor (office) for state fiscal year 2025-26, with roll-forward authority in state fiscal year 2026-27 for any money remaining in the fund after state fiscal year 2025-26. The bill authorizes the office to accept gifts, grants, or donations for crediting to the fund to implement the bill.
Money in the fund may be used by the office in the governor's discretion to hire and employ personnel or retain contractors for purposes related to federal government actions that impact federal disbursements, grants, contracts, or money received by or transferred to the state. The office may also reimburse the department of law for costs associated with special assistant attorneys general who are contracted for the purposes of providing legal services:
- To state officers or employees related to legal proceedings, inquiries, hearings, or investigations initiated, pursued, or threatened by the federal government; or
- For the criminal defense of state officers or employees in legal actions arising out of their official acts or decisions.
The office may also incur other expenditures covered by the fund that are consistent with the purposes of the bill, as determined by the governor, including expenditures to preserve and protect state sovereignty or federal funding streams that benefit the state.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-75-232, amend (8); and add (4)(d) and (5)(e) as follows:
Page 2, Line 324-75-232. "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" cash
Page 2, Line 4fund - creation - allowable uses - report - legislative declaration -
Page 2, Line 5definitions - repeal. (4) (d) The office may seek, accept, and expend
Page 2, Line 6gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for
Page 2, Line 7the purposes of subsection (5)(e) of this section. The office shall
Page 2, Line 8transmit all money received through gifts, grants, or donations
Page 2, Line 9to the state treasurer, who shall credit the money to the fund for use for the purposes of subsection (5)(e) of this section.
Page 2, Line 10(5) (e) In addition to the uses set forth in subsections (5)(a)
Page 2, Line 11and (5)(b) of this section, and notwithstanding subsection (1)(e)
Page 2, Line 12of this section, the office may expend the money in the fund at the governor's discretion for the following purposes:
Page 3, Line 1(I) Hiring and employing personnel or retaining
Page 3, Line 2contractors for purposes related to federal government
Page 3, Line 3actions that impact federal disbursements, grants, contracts, or money received by or transferred to the state;
Page 3, Line 4(II) Reimbursing the department of law for costs
Page 3, Line 5associated with special assistant attorneys general, pursuant
Page 3, Line 6to sections 24-31-101 and 24-31-111 (5), contracted with for the purposes of:
Page 3, Line 7(A) Providing legal services to state officers or
Page 3, Line 8employees related to legal proceedings, inquiries, hearings, or
Page 3, Line 9investigations initiated, pursued, or threatened by the federal
Page 3, Line 10government, including congressional inquiries and investigations; or
Page 3, Line 11(B) Providing legal services for the criminal defense of
Page 3, Line 12state officers or employees in legal actions arising out of official acts or decisions; or
Page 3, Line 13(III) Other expenditures consistent with the purposes of
Page 3, Line 14this section, as determined by the governor, including
Page 3, Line 15expenditures to preserve and protect state sovereignty or federal funding streams that benefit the state.
Page 3, Line 16(8) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2028. Any
Page 3, Line 17unexpended and unencumbered money remaining in the fund upon the repeal of this section reverts to the general fund.
Page 3, Line 19SECTION 2. Appropriation. For the 2025-26 state fiscal year,
Page 3, Line 20$4,000,000 is appropriated to the office of the governor. This
Page 4, Line 1appropriation is from the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" cash
Page 4, Line 2fund created in section 24-75-232 (3), C.R.S. To implement this act, the
Page 4, Line 3office may use this appropriation for administration of governor's office
Page 4, Line 4and residence. Any money appropriated in this section not expended prior
Page 4, Line 5to July 1, 2026, is further appropriated to the office for the 2026-27 state fiscal year for the same purpose.
Page 4, Line 6SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,
Page 4, Line 7determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
Page 4, Line 8preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for
Page 4, Line 9the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.