Senate Bill 25-309

BY SENATOR(S) Simpson, Baisley, Kipp, Marchman, Wallace, Coleman;

also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Brown and Bradfield, Boesenecker, Clifford, Duran, Garcia, Lindsay, McCormick, Paschal, Phillips, Rutinel, Smith, Titone.

Concerning authorization for the legislative council to approve the placement of nonpartisan legislative fellowships within the legislative council staff.

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

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 2-3-303, amend (1) introductory portion; and add (1)(h) as follows:

2-3-303.  Functions - report - definitions - repeal. (1)  In addition to any other powers and duties set forth in law, the council shall havehas the following powers and duties:

(h)  To approve agreements between the director of research of the legislative council and nonpartisan organizations to place nonpartisan legislative policy fellows in the legislative council staff to conduct policy-related research; prepare policy, fiscal, economic, or technological analyses; support legislators and committees; and complete other assignments or projects as directed by the director of research. The council shall not approve any agreement between the director of research of the legislative council and a nonpartisan organization that is registered as a lobbyist with the secretary of state to place a nonpartisan legislative policy fellow in the legislative council staff. An agreement entered into by the director of research and approved by the council pursuant to this subsection (1)(h) must ensure that the director of research retains supervisory authority over fellows placed within the legislative council staff, including over the terms and conditions of the fellowship. An agreement must also specify that any work product produced by a fellow during the fellowship remains the property of the general assembly during and after the conclusion of the fellowship.

SECTION 2.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.