House Bill 25-1057

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Duran and Weinberg, Joseph, Bacon, Boesenecker, Brown, Camacho, Clifford, English, Espenoza, Garcia, Jackson, Lieder, Lindsay, Mabrey, Martinez, Mauro, Ricks, Rutinel, Sirota, Smith, Stewart K., Story, Titone, Valdez, Willford, Carter, Hamrick, Marshall, Velasco, McCluskie;

also SENATOR(S) Danielson and Simpson, Roberts, Amabile, Bridges, Cutter, Exum, Jodeh, Kipp, Kolker, Michaelson Jenet, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Winter F., Coleman.

Concerning the creation of the American Indian affairs interim committee.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 21 to article 3 of title 2 as follows:

PART 21

AMERICAN INDIAN AFFAIRS INTERIM COMMITTEE

2-3-2101.  Legislative declaration. (1)  The general assembly finds that:

(a)  Historical and intergenerational trauma continues to impact American Indian communities. Without action to address the unique challenges American Indians face, the cycle of poverty, inadequate support, and lack of resources will persist.

(b)  Communication, collaboration, and respect are critical to support American Indian Tribal Nations and create positive, lasting, and impactful change;

(c)  From the work of the 2024 American Indian affairs interim study committee, more work is clearly needed to better support American Indian Tribal Nations and their communities in Colorado;

(d)  Creating the American Indian affairs interim committee allows the general assembly to continue discussions and collaboration with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and all other American Indian people and their communities in Colorado in order to address the challenges and issues they face; and

(e)  The general assembly is committed to building stronger and more meaningful relationships with the American Indian Tribal Nations and their communities in Colorado.

(2)  Therefore, the general assembly declares that the continuation of the American Indian affairs interim committee is critical to improve relationships and address the unique challenges and needs that American Indian Tribal Nations and their communities face.

2-3-2102.  Definitions.As used in this part 21, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1)  "American Indian Tribal Nations" means the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and any other federally recognized tribe.

(2)  "Committee" means the American Indian affairs interim committee created in section 2-3-2103.

2-3-2103.  American Indian affairs interim committee - creation - duties - membership - reporting - repeal. (1)  Notwithstanding section 2-3-303.3, the American Indian affairs interim committee is created.

(2)  The purpose of the committee is to examine issues and challenges that impact the American Indian Tribal Nations.

(3) (a)  The committee consists of the six members of the general assembly who were appointed to the 2024 American Indian affairs interim study committee as follows:

(I)  Three members of the senate, the one member appointed by the president of the senate, the one member appointed by the majority leader of the senate, and the one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; and

(II)  Three members of the house of representatives, the one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, the one member appointed by the majority leader of the house of representatives, and the one member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.

(b)  The committee consists of the following two nonvoting members:

(I)  One representative from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, appointed by the chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe; and

(II)  One representative from the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, appointed by the chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

(c)  The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the chair of the committee in odd-numbered years and the vice-chair of the committee in even-numbered years. The president of the senate shall appoint the chair of the committee in even-numbered years and the vice-chair of the committee in odd-numbered years.

(4)  Members appointed to the committee serve for the duration of the committee unless an appointed member resigns, is removed, or is no longer in office. The appointing authority shall fill any vacancy as soon as practicable. Members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and continue until a successor is appointed.

(5)  Members of the committee serve without compensation; except that each member is entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses in connection with the performance of the member's duties and receives the same per diem as other members of interim committees in attendance at meetings.

(6) (a)  The committee may meet up to six times per interim, which may include field trips.

(b)  The chair of the committee shall schedule the first meeting of the committee for no later than July 31 of each year.

(c) (I)  Notwithstanding subsections (6)(a) and (6)(b) of this section, the committee shall not meet during the 2025 interim.

(II)  This subsection (6)(c) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

(7) (a)  The committee may recommend up to a total of five bills during each interim. Legislation recommended by the committee must be treated as legislation recommended by an interim committee for purposes of applicable deadlines, bill introduction limits, and any other requirements imposed by the joint rules of the general assembly.

(b) (I)  Notwithstanding subsection (7)(a) of this section, the committee shall not recommend legislation during the 2025 interim.

(II)  This subsection (7)(b) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

(8) (a)  The committee shall seek presentations and comments from community members and representatives of the American Indian Tribal Nations, relevant state agencies, and impacted community members.

(b) (I)  Notwithstanding subsection (8)(a) of this section, the committee shall not seek presentations and comments during the 2025 interim.

(II)  This subsection (8)(b) is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

(9)  On or before January 15, 2031, the committee shall submit a report to the executive committee of the legislative council summarizing the issues and topics discussed, recommendations considered, and any actions taken by the committee during the preceding five years. The information contained in the report must be organized by interim year. The report must comply with the provisions of section 24-1-136 (9).

(10)  The legislative council and the office of legislative legal services shall provide staff assistance to the committee.

(11)  This part 21 is repealed, effective June 30, 2031.

SECTION 2.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.