House Bill 25-1096 Preamended

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning automated permitting for residential clean

• Page 1, Line 102energy technology projects, and, in connection

• Page 1, Line 103therewith, requiring counties and municipalities over

• Page 1, Line 104a certain population and the state electrical board to

• Page 1, Line 105implement an automated residential solar permitting

• Page 1, Line 106platform to review and issue permits related to

• Page 1, Line 107residential solar panel installations.

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 requires counties with a population of more than 5,000 residents in unincorporated areas and municipalities with a population of more than 5,000 residents to adopt an ordinance or resolution that would implement an automated residential solar permitting platform (platform). The platform would automatically review an application for a residential solar panel installation and issue a permit for the residential solar panel installation project if the project is code-compliant and meets certain criteria.

The platform utilized by a county or municipality must be used for at least 75% of the residential solar panel installation permit applications submitted to the local jurisdiction. The platform will only be used for solar panel installations that will be installed on existing residential buildings, have a maximum capacity of 200 amperes main service disconnect, and provide electrical power to single-family or 2-family residential property.

A county or municipality required to implement the platform must notify the Colorado energy office (office) of its compliance with the requirements of the bill and submit an annual report to the office related to the use of the platform and the type of software used.

Counties and municipalities are also eligible to receive funding and technical assistance from the office to implement platforms.

The office is required to submit a report to the general assembly related to the use of automated permitting software for other residential electrification projects, such as electric vehicle charging stations and heat pump space heaters, and the costs and benefits of implementing the automated software. The office must submit the report by July 1, 2026.

The state electrical board in the department of regulatory agencies is also required to implement a platform for use in its issuance and review of electrical permits related to residential solar panel installations. The board must also notify the office of its compliance with adopting the platform and submit an annual report to the office related to the board's use of the platform.

• This Unofficial Version Includes Committee

• Amendments Not Yet Adopted on Second Reading

• Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1.  Legislative declaration. (1)  The general assembly finds and declares that:

• Page 2, Line 3(a)  Colorado has adopted economy-wide greenhouse gas emission

• Page 2, Line 4reduction goals of at least a 50% reduction by 2030 and a 90% reduction

• Page 2, Line 5by 2050;

• Page 3, Line 1(b)  Residential solar panel installations are key components for the state to meet its greenhouse gas emission goals;

• Page 3, Line 2(c)  Outdated and bureaucratic permitting requirements in many

• Page 3, Line 3jurisdictions combined with staffing shortages can add months of delays and thousands of dollars to residential solar panel installations;

• Page 3, Line 4(d)  Colorado has the third slowest solar permitting timelines in the western United States;

• Page 3, Line 5(e)  The Solar Energy Industries Associates estimates that

• Page 3, Line 6permitting and other bureaucratic barriers increase costs by over $6,000 for the typical residential solar project;

• Page 3, Line 7(f)  The price tag of residential solar in the United States is

• Page 3, Line 8approximately double the price tag in Europe, which has virtually eliminated permitting and other bureaucratic barriers;

• Page 3, Line 9(g)  Once a homeowner applies for a solar permit, approximately

• Page 3, Line 1018% of projects are cancelled, and installers cite permitting issues as the biggest reason for the cancellations;

• Page 3, Line 11(h)  Hundreds of jurisdictions across the country use automated

• Page 3, Line 12residential solar permitting software that is available for free or for a low

• Page 3, Line 13cost to automatically review residential solar panel installation applications; and

• Page 3, Line 14(i)  Automatic permitting has the potential to reduce the costs of

• Page 3, Line 15residential solar panel installation and reduce installation timelines, thus

• Page 3, Line 16enabling more homeowners to install residential solar panels on their homes.

• Page 3, Line 17(2)  The general assembly further declares that it is a matter of

• Page 3, Line 18statewide interest and it is in the best interest of Colorado to allow

• Page 3, Line 19homeowners in Colorado to receive automatic permits for residential solar panel installations.

• Page 4, Line 1SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 30-28-141 as follows:

• Page 4, Line 230-28-141.  Automated residential solar permitting - county

• Page 4, Line 3requirements - reporting - definitions - repeal. (1)  Definitions.As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 4, Line 4(a)  "Automated residential solar permitting platform" or "platform" means software, or a combination of software, that:

• Page 4, Line 5(I)  Accepts and automates the review of an application for a residential solar panel installation;

• Page 4, Line 6(II)  Automatically produces county code-compliant

• Page 4, Line 7approvals for a residential solar panel installation that meets the county's permitting requirements;

• Page 4, Line 8(III)  Accepts payment of any applicable county permitting fees; and

• Page 4, Line 9(IV)  Automatically issues a permit or permit revision for

• Page 4, Line 10a residential solar panel installation once an individual has

• Page 4, Line 11submitted approved, code-compliant plans and pays any

• Page 4, Line 12applicable permitting fees related to the residential solar panel installation.

• Page 4, Line 13(b)  "Office" means the Colorado energy office created in section 24-38.5-101.

• Page 4, Line 14(c)  "Permit" means a permit issued by a county that is

• Page 4, Line 15required for the installation of solar panels on a residential

• Page 4, Line 16property and may include an electrical permit, construction permit, or other type of permit.

• Page 4, Line 17(2)  Automated residential solar permitting required.

• Page 5, Line 1(a) (I)  On or before July 1, 2026, the board of county

• Page 5, Line 2commissioners of a county with a population of more than five

• Page 5, Line 3thousand residents in unincorporated areas of the county shall

• Page 5, Line 4adopt an ordinance or resolution to implement an automated

• Page 5, Line 5residential solar permitting platform that must have the

• Page 5, Line 6estimated capability to process at least seventy-five percent of

• Page 5, Line 7applications submitted to the county for residential solar panel installations that:

• Page 5, Line 8(A)  Will be installed on existing residential buildings;

• Page 5, Line 9(B)  Have a maximum capacity of two hundred amperes main service disconnect; and

• Page 5, Line 10(C)  Provide electrical power to a single-family or two-family residential property.

• Page 5, Line 11(II)  The automated residential solar permitting platform

• Page 5, Line 12shall also be utilized to review applications for residential

• Page 5, Line 13solar panel installations that utilize a home battery storage

• Page 5, Line 14system, a main panel upgrade, or a main breaker derate in conjunction with the residential solar panel installation.

• Page 5, Line 15(b) (I)  A county that is required to implement an

• Page 5, Line 16automated residential solar permitting platform pursuant to

• Page 5, Line 17subsection (2)(a) of this section shall not require manual review

• Page 5, Line 18of an application for a residential solar panel installation

• Page 5, Line 19at any time during the permitting process if the application has been approved by the platform.

• Page 5, Line 20(II)  Subject to the requirements of subsection (2)(a) of this

• Page 5, Line 21section, county staff may conduct a manual review of a

• Page 5, Line 22residential solar panel installation application that requires special consideration.

• Page 6, Line 1(III)  County staff may conduct a manual review of

• Page 6, Line 2construction documents related to a residential solar panel

• Page 6, Line 3installation when conducting an inspection of the residential solar panel installation.

• Page 6, Line 5(c)  A county that does not require a permit for a

• Page 6, Line 6residential solar panel installation is exempt from the requirements of this section.

• Page 6, Line 7(3)  Reporting - rules. (a)  A board of county commissioners

• Page 6, Line 8that is required to adopt an ordinance or resolution to

• Page 6, Line 9implement an automated residential solar permitting platform

• Page 6, Line 10pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(I) of this section shall direct the

• Page 6, Line 11county office responsible for implementing the platform to

• Page 6, Line 12notify the office within sixty days after the county's compliance

• Page 6, Line 13with subsection (2)(a)(I) of this section. The notice provided to the office must include the following information:

• Page 6, Line 14(I)  An attestation that the ordinance or resolution

• Page 6, Line 15adopted by the board of county commissioners to implement the

• Page 6, Line 16automated residential solar permitting platform complies with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section; and

• Page 6, Line 17(II)  The names or types of software of the automated residential solar permitting platform used by the county.

• Page 6, Line 18(b)  A board of county commissioners that is required to

• Page 6, Line 19adopt an ordinance or resolution to implement an automated

• Page 6, Line 20residential solar permitting platform pursuant to subsection

• Page 6, Line 21(2)(a)(I) of this section shall direct the county office responsible

• Page 7, Line 1for implementing the platform to submit an annual report to the

• Page 7, Line 2office. The annual report submitted to the office must be

• Page 7, Line 3submitted to the office by April 1 of each year and must include the following information:

• Page 7, Line 4(I)  The number of residential solar panel installation

• Page 7, Line 5permits issued using the automated residential solar permitting platform from the previous calendar year;

• Page 7, Line 6(II)  The number of residential solar panel installation

• Page 7, Line 7permits issued by the county from the previous calendar year

• Page 7, Line 8that did not use the automated residential solar permitting

• Page 7, Line 9platform and any relevant characteristics of the residential

• Page 7, Line 10solar panel installations that required manual review for the permits;

• Page 7, Line 11(III)  The names or types of software of the automated

• Page 7, Line 12residential solar permitting platform used by the county if the

• Page 7, Line 13county has changed the names or types of software used by the county within the previous year; and

• Page 7, Line 14(IV)  A plan to increase the usage of the automated

• Page 7, Line 15residential solar permitting platform if less than seventy-five

• Page 7, Line 16percent of eligible residential solar panel installation permits issued by the county were issued through the platform.

• Page 7, Line 17(c) (I)  For the reporting required by subsections (3)(a) and (3)(b) of this section, the office shall:

• Page 7, Line 18(A)  Create a form to be used by county staff to submit the information required by subsection (3)(a) of this section;and

• Page 7, Line 19(B)  Create a form to be used by county staff to submit the

• Page 7, Line 20information required by subsection (3)(b) of this section.

• Page 8, Line 2(II)  The office shall review the reports submitted by the

• Page 8, Line 3county pursuant to subsections (3)(a) and (3)(b) of this section and may:

• Page 8, Line 4(A)  Determine if the reports are accurate;

• Page 8, Line 5(B)  Make the reports and the office's findings regarding

• Page 8, Line 6the reports' accuracy publicly available on the office's public website; and

• Page 8, Line 7(C)  Take actions to encourage the county's compliance with subsection (2) of this section.

• Page 8, Line 8(d)  This subsection (3) is repealed, effective September 1, 2032.

• Page 8, Line 9(4)  Inspections. (a)  On or before July 1, 2026, the board of

• Page 8, Line 10county commissioners of a county that is required to implement

• Page 8, Line 11an automated residential solar permitting platform pursuant to

• Page 8, Line 12subsection (2)(a) of this section shall adopt an ordinance or

• Page 8, Line 13resolution to allow remote inspections via recorded video or

• Page 8, Line 14photography of residential solar panel installations that have

• Page 8, Line 15received a permit or permit revision through the platform. The

• Page 8, Line 16remote inspections must be offered at no greater cost to the

• Page 8, Line 17permit holder and made available with no greater delay than an in-person inspection.

• Page 8, Line 18(b)  A county shall not require more than one inspection

• Page 8, Line 19for a residential solar panel installation that is permitted by

• Page 8, Line 20the automated residential solar permitting platform unless the residential solar panel installation failed an initial inspection.

• Page 8, Line 21(5)  Funding.A county that is required to implement an

• Page 9, Line 1automated residential solar permitting platform pursuant to

• Page 9, Line 2subsection (2)(a) of this section may apply for funding from the

• Page 9, Line 3streamlined solar permitting and inspection grant program in accordance with section 24-38.5-119.

• Page 9, Line 4SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 31-23-317 as follows:

• Page 9, Line 531-23-317.  Automated residential solar permitting - municipal

• Page 9, Line 6requirements - reporting - definitions - repeal. (1)  Definitions.As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 9, Line 7(a)  "Automated residential solar permitting platform" or "platform" means software, or a combination of software, that:

• Page 9, Line 8(I)  Accepts and automates the review of an application for a residential solar panel installation;

• Page 9, Line 9(II)  Automatically produces municipal code-compliant

• Page 9, Line 10approvals for a residential solar panel installation that meets the municipality's permitting requirements;

• Page 9, Line 11(III)  Accepts payment of any applicable municipal permitting fees; and

• Page 9, Line 12(IV)  Automatically issues a permit or permit revision for

• Page 9, Line 13a residential solar panel installation once an individual has

• Page 9, Line 14submitted approved, code-compliant plans and pays any

• Page 9, Line 15applicable permitting fees related to the residential solar panel installation.

• Page 9, Line 16(b)  "Office" means the Colorado energy office created in section 24-38.5-101.

• Page 9, Line 17(c)  "Permit" means a permit issued by a municipality that

• Page 9, Line 18is required for the installation of solar panels on a residential

• Page 10, Line 1property and may include an electrical permit, construction permit, or other type of permit.

• Page 10, Line 2(2)  Automated residential solar permitting required.

• Page 10, Line 3(a) (I)  On or before July 1, 2026, the governing body of a

• Page 10, Line 4municipality with a population of more than five thousand

• Page 10, Line 5residents shall adopt an ordinance to implement an automated

• Page 10, Line 6residential solar permitting platform that must have the

• Page 10, Line 7estimated capability to process at least seventy-five percent of

• Page 10, Line 8applications submitted to the municipality for residential solar panel installations that:

• Page 10, Line 9(A)  Will be installed on existing residential buildings;

• Page 10, Line 10(B)  Have a maximum capacity of two hundred amperes main service disconnect; and

• Page 10, Line 11(C)  Provide electrical power to a single-family or two-family residential property.

• Page 10, Line 12(II)  The automated residential solar permitting platform

• Page 10, Line 13shall also be utilized to review applications for residential

• Page 10, Line 14solar panel installations that utilize a home battery storage

• Page 10, Line 15system, a main panel upgrade, or a main breaker derate in conjunction with the residential solar panel installation.

• Page 10, Line 16(b) (I)  A municipality that is required to implement an

• Page 10, Line 17automated residential solar permitting platform pursuant to

• Page 10, Line 18subsection (2)(a) of this section shall not require manual review

• Page 10, Line 19of an application for a residential solar panel installation

• Page 10, Line 20at any time during the permitting process if the application has been approved by the platform.

• Page 10, Line 21(II)  Subject to the requirements of subsection (2)(a) of this

• Page 11, Line 1section, municipal staff may conduct a manual review of a

• Page 11, Line 2residential solar panel installation application that requires special consideration.

• Page 11, Line 3(III)  Municipal staff may conduct a manual review of

• Page 11, Line 4construction documents related to a residential solar panel

• Page 11, Line 5installation when conducting an inspection of the residential solar panel installation.

• Page 11, Line 7(c)  A municipality that does not require a permit for a

• Page 11, Line 8residential solar panel installation is exempt from the requirements of this section.

• Page 11, Line 9(3)  Reporting - rules. (a)  The governing body of a

• Page 11, Line 10municipality that is required to adopt an ordinance to implement

• Page 11, Line 11an automated residential solar permitting platform pursuant to

• Page 11, Line 12subsection (2)(a)(I) of this section shall direct the municipal

• Page 11, Line 13office responsible for implementing the platform to notify the

• Page 11, Line 14office within sixty days after the municipality's compliance with

• Page 11, Line 15subsection (2)(a)(I) of this section. The notice provided to the office must include the following information:

• Page 11, Line 16(I)  An attestation that the ordinance adopted by the

• Page 11, Line 17governing body of the municipality to implement the automated

• Page 11, Line 18residential solar permitting platform complies with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section; and

• Page 11, Line 19(II)  The names or types of software of the automated residential solar permitting platform used by the municipality.

• Page 11, Line 20(b)  The governing body of a municipality that is required

• Page 11, Line 21to adopt an ordinance to implement an automated residential

• Page 12, Line 1solar permitting platform pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(I) of this

• Page 12, Line 2section shall direct the municipal office responsible for

• Page 12, Line 3implementing the platform to submit an annual report to the

• Page 12, Line 4office. The annual report submitted to the office must be

• Page 12, Line 5submitted to the office by April 1 of each year and must include the following information:

• Page 12, Line 6(I)  The number of residential solar panel installation

• Page 12, Line 7permits issued using the automated residential solar permitting platform from the previous calendar year;

• Page 12, Line 8(II)  The number of residential solar panel installation

• Page 12, Line 9permits issued by the municipality from the previous calendar

• Page 12, Line 10year that did not use the automated residential solar

• Page 12, Line 11permitting platform and any relevant characteristics of the

• Page 12, Line 12residential solar panel installations that required manual review for the permits;

• Page 12, Line 13(III)  The names or types of software of the automated

• Page 12, Line 14residential solar permitting platform used by the municipality

• Page 12, Line 15if the municipality has changed the names or types of software used by the municipality within the previous year; and

• Page 12, Line 16(IV)  A plan to increase the usage of the automated

• Page 12, Line 17residential solar permitting platform if less than seventy-five

• Page 12, Line 18percent of eligible residential solar panel installation permits issued by the municipality were issued through the platform.

• Page 12, Line 19(c) (I)  For the reporting required by subsections (3)(a) and (3)(b) of this section, the office shall:

• Page 12, Line 20(A)  Create a form to be used by municipal staff to submit

• Page 12, Line 21the information required by subsection (3)(a) of this section;and

• Page 13, Line 1(B)  Create a form to be used by municipal staff to submit the information required by subsection (3)(b) of this section.

• Page 13, Line 3(II)  The office shall review the reports submitted by the

• Page 13, Line 4municipality pursuant to subsections (3)(a) and (3)(b) of this section and may:

• Page 13, Line 5(A)  Determine if the reports are accurate;

• Page 13, Line 6(B)  Make the reports and the office's findings regarding

• Page 13, Line 7the reports' accuracy publicly available on the office's public website; and

• Page 13, Line 8(C)  Take actions to encourage the municipality's compliance with subsection (2) of this section.

• Page 13, Line 9(d)  This subsection (3) is repealed, effective September 1, 2032.

• Page 13, Line 10(4)  Inspections. (a)  On or before July 1, 2026, the governing

• Page 13, Line 11body of a municipality that is required to implement an

• Page 13, Line 12automated residential solar permitting platform pursuant to

• Page 13, Line 13subsection (2)(a) of this section shall adopt an ordinance to

• Page 13, Line 14allow remote inspections via recorded video or photography of

• Page 13, Line 15residential solar panel installations that have received a

• Page 13, Line 16permit or permit revision through the platform. The remote

• Page 13, Line 17inspections must be offered at no greater cost to the permit

• Page 13, Line 18holder and made available with no greater delay than an in-person inspection.

• Page 13, Line 19(b)  A municipality shall not require more than one

• Page 13, Line 20inspection for a residential solar panel installation that is

• Page 13, Line 21permitted by the automated residential solar permitting

• Page 14, Line 1platform unless the residential solar panel installation failed an initial inspection.

• Page 14, Line 2(5)  Funding.A municipality that is required to implement

• Page 14, Line 3an automated residential solar permitting platform pursuant to

• Page 14, Line 4subsection (2)(a) of this section may apply for funding from the

• Page 14, Line 5streamlined solar permitting and inspection grant program in accordance with section 24-38.5-119.

• Page 14, Line 6SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-107, add (5) as follows:

• Page 14, Line 712-115-107.  Board powers and duties - electrical permit for

• Page 14, Line 8residential solar panel installations - rules - definitions - repeal.

• Page 14, Line 9(5)  Automated residential solar permitting program platform.

• Page 14, Line 10(a)  Rules. (I)  On or before July 1, 2026, the board shall adopt

• Page 14, Line 11rules that require that the board implement an automated

• Page 14, Line 12residential solar permitting platform to automatically issue

• Page 14, Line 13permits for any permit issued under this article 115 related to residential solar panel installations.

• Page 14, Line 14(II)  The platform implemented pursuant to this subsection

• Page 14, Line 15(5)(a) shall be used for at least seventy-five percent of the

• Page 14, Line 16residential solar panel installation applications submitted to the board that:

• Page 14, Line 17(A)  Will be installed on existing residential buildings;

• Page 14, Line 18(B)  Have a maximum capacity of two hundred amperes main service disconnect; and

• Page 14, Line 19(C)  Provide electrical power to a single-family or two-family residential property.

• Page 14, Line 20(III)  The automated residential solar permitting platform

• Page 15, Line 1shall also be utilized to review applications for residential

• Page 15, Line 2solar panel installations that utilize a home battery storage

• Page 15, Line 3system, a main panel upgrade, or a main breaker derate in conjunction with the residential solar panel installation.

• Page 15, Line 4(b) (I)  The board shall not require manual review of an

• Page 15, Line 5application for a residential solar panel installation on an

• Page 15, Line 6existing residence at any time during the permitting process if

• Page 15, Line 7the application has been approved by the automated residential solar permitting platform.

• Page 15, Line 8(II)  The board may conduct a manual review of

• Page 15, Line 9construction documents related to a residential solar panel

• Page 15, Line 10installation when conducting an inspection of the residential solar panel installation.

• Page 15, Line 11(c)  Reporting - rules. (I)  The board shall notify the office

• Page 15, Line 12within sixty days after the board adopts the rules required by

• Page 15, Line 13subsection (5)(a) of this section. The notice provided to the office must include the following information:

• Page 15, Line 14(A)  An attestation that the rules adopted by the board to

• Page 15, Line 15implement the automated residential solar permitting platform

• Page 15, Line 16comply with the requirements of subsection (5)(a) of this section; and

• Page 15, Line 17(B)  The names or types of software of the automated residential solar permitting platform used by the board.

• Page 15, Line 18(II)  The board shall submit an annual report to the office that includes the following information:

• Page 15, Line 19(A)  The number of residential solar panel installation

• Page 15, Line 20permits issued using the automated residential solar permitting platform;

• Page 16, Line 1(B)  The number of residential solar panel installation

• Page 16, Line 2permits issued by the board that did not use the automated

• Page 16, Line 3residential solar permitting platform and any relevant

• Page 16, Line 4characteristics of the residential solar panel installations that required manual review for the permits;

• Page 16, Line 5(C)  The names or types of software of the automated

• Page 16, Line 6residential solar permitting platform used by the board if the

• Page 16, Line 7board has changed the names or types of software used by the board within the previous year; and

• Page 16, Line 8(D)  A plan to increase the usage of the automated

• Page 16, Line 9residential solar permitting platform if less than seventy-five

• Page 16, Line 10percent of eligible residential solar panel installation permits issued by the board were issued through the platform.

• Page 16, Line 11(III)  For the reporting required by subsections (5)(c)(I) and (5)(c)(II) of this section, the office shall:

• Page 16, Line 12(A)  Create a form to be used by the board to submit the information required by subsection (5)(c)(I) of this section;

• Page 16, Line 13(B)  Create a form to be used by the board to submit the information required by subsection (5)(c)(II) of this section; and

• Page 16, Line 14(C)  Establish a date each year by which the board shall submit the report required by subsection (5)(c)(II) of this section.

• Page 16, Line 15(IV)  This subsection (5)(c) is repealed, effective September 1, 2032.

• Page 16, Line 16(d)  Rules - inspections. (I)  On or before July 1, 2026, the

• Page 16, Line 17board shall adopt rules to permit remote inspections via

• Page 16, Line 18recorded video or photography of residential solar panel

• Page 17, Line 1installations that have received a permit or permit revision

• Page 17, Line 2through the automated residential solar permitting platform.

• Page 17, Line 3The remote inspections must be offered at no greater cost to the

• Page 17, Line 4permit holder and made available with no greater delay than an in-person inspection.

• Page 17, Line 5(II)  The board shall not require more than one inspection

• Page 17, Line 6for a residential solar panel installation that is permitted by

• Page 17, Line 7the automated solar permitting platform unless the residential solar panel installation failed an initial inspection.

• Page 17, Line 8(e)  Definitions.As used in this subsection (5), unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 17, Line 9(I)  "Automated residential solar permitting platform" or "platform" means software, or a combination of software, that:

• Page 17, Line 10(A)  Accepts and automates the review of an application for a residential solar panel installation;

• Page 17, Line 11(B)  Accepts payment of any applicable permitting fees as determined by the board; and

• Page 17, Line 12(C)  Automatically issues a permit or permit revision for

• Page 17, Line 13a residential solar panel installation once an individual has

• Page 17, Line 14submitted approved plans and pays any applicable permitting fees related to the residential solar panel installation.

• Page 17, Line 15(II)  "Office" means the Colorado energy office created in section 24-38.5-101.

• Page 17, Line 16(III)  "Permit" means an electrical permit issued under this article 115.

• Page 17, Line 17SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-120, add (12)

• Page 17, Line 18as follows:

• Page 18, Line 112-115-120.  Inspection - electrical permits - application -

• Page 18, Line 2standard - definition. (12)  If an inspection is required to issue a

• Page 18, Line 3permit for a residential solar panel installation under this

• Page 18, Line 4article 115, the inspection must be conducted in accordance with section 12-115-107 (5)(d).

• Page 18, Line 5SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-38.5-119, amend (3)(b), (3)(c), and (4) as follows:

• Page 18, Line 624-38.5-119.  Streamlined solar permitting and inspection

• Page 18, Line 7grant program - creation - eligibility - fund created - gifts, grants, or donations - reporting - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.

• Page 18, Line 8(3)  The grant program is created to allow an authority having

• Page 18, Line 9jurisdiction to apply to the office for a grant to help provide

• Page 18, Line 10implementation support to the authority having jurisdiction for

• Page 18, Line 11implementation of automated permitting software. In administering the grant program, the office shall:

• Page 18, Line 12(b)  Develop procedures to award a grant to an authority having

• Page 18, Line 13jurisdiction for expenses expected to be incurred in adopting automated

• Page 18, Line 14permitting software, including necessary expenses for staff time,

• Page 18, Line 15information technology, training, installation, third-party consulting,

• Page 18, Line 16ongoing maintenance for up to three years after the grantee

• Page 18, Line 17implements the automated permitting software, and hardware or equipment;

• Page 18, Line 18(c)  Not award money to an authority having jurisdiction for

• Page 18, Line 19expected costs associated with software other than automated permitting

• Page 18, Line 20software, activities occurring before being awarded grant program money,

• Page 18, Line 21or more than one hundred eighty days after receiving grant program

• Page 18, Line 22money, food and beverage costs, fines, penalties, advertising, or permit

• Page 19, Line 1processing fees including fees charged by the operator of automated permitting software;

• Page 19, Line 2(4) (a)  The office may use up to nine percent of the money in the

• Page 19, Line 3fund to cover pay for the direct and indirect costs that the office incurs in administering the grant program.

• Page 19, Line 4(b)  The office may use up to nine percent of the money

• Page 19, Line 5remaining in the fund as of September 1, 2025, to pay for the

• Page 19, Line 6direct and indirect costs that the office incurs in administering the grant program.

• Page 19, Line 7SECTION 7.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act

• Page 19, Line 8takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the

• Page 19, Line 9ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except

• Page 19, Line 10that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V

• Page 19, Line 11of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this

• Page 19, Line 12act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take

• Page 19, Line 13effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in

• Page 19, Line 14November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.