Senate Bill 25-181

BY SENATOR(S) Roberts and Winter F., Catlin, Hinrichsen, Amabile, Bridges, Cutter, Exum, Gonzales J., Jodeh, Kipp, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman;

also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Lieder and Lukens, Boesenecker, Duran, Froelich, Hamrick, Joseph, Mauro, Paschal, Smith, Titone, McCluskie.

Concerning the continuation of the just transition advisory committee, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendation contained in the 2024 sunset report by the department of regulatory agencies.

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

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 2-3-1203, repeal (16)(a)(V); and add (21)(a)(III) as follows:

2-3-1203.  Sunset review of advisory committees - legislative declaration - definition - repeal. (16) (a)  The following statutory authorizations for the designated advisory committees will repeal on September 1, 2025:

(V)  The just transition advisory committee created in section 8-83-503 (6);

(21) (a)  The following statutory authorizations for designated advisory committees will repeal on September 1, 2030:

(III)  The just transition advisory committee created in section 8-83-503 (6).

SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-83-503, amend (3)(a), (4) introductory portion, (6)(a), (6)(c) introductory portion, (6)(d) introductory portion, (6)(e)(III)(A), and (6)(i); repeal (6)(b); and add (3)(a.5) and (6)(e.5) as follows:

8-83-503.  Just transition office - advisory committee. (3)  It is the purpose of the office to:

(a)  Identify or estimate, to the extent practicable, the timing and location of facility closures and job layoffs in coal-related industries and their impact on affected workers, businesses, and coal transition communities and make recommendations to the just transition advisory committee, as part of its work outlined in subsection (6) of this section, as to how the office can most effectively respond to these economic dislocationsregularly consult with the just transition advisory committee created in subsection (6) of this section on issues related to addressing these impacts in a manner that best ensures continued economic stability and prosperity for impacted workers and communities during and after the transition away from coal as an economic driver;

(a.5)  Develop and implement plans to maximize the economic stability and prosperity of coal workers and communities through a variety of strategies outlined in or consistent with this part 5, giving strong consideration to strategies recommended by the just transition advisory committee;

(4)  Based on the draft just transition plan recommended byprimarily on the advice of and recommendations from the just transition advisory committee, pursuant to subsection (6) of this section, and with the approval of the executive director of the department and the executive director of the department of local affairs, on or before December 31, 2020, the director shall submit to the governor and the general assembly a just transition plan for Colorado. The director shall submit updates to the plan as needed. This plan, and any updates to the plan, must include, at a minimum:

(6) (a)  There is hereby created the just transition advisory committee to develop and recommend a just transition plan for the state of Colorado and to advise the office of just transition concerning the office's role in implementing this part 5.

(b)  On or before July 1, 2020, the advisory committee shall present a draft just transition plan to the executive director of the department and the executive director of the department of local affairs.

(c)  In developing the draft just transition planadvising and making recommendations to the office of just transition, the advisory committee shall consider options to:

(d)  In developing the draft just transition planthe advisory committee's advice and recommendations, the advisory committee shall identify and consider:

(e)  The advisory committee consists of the following members:

(III)  The following members appointed by the director:

(A)  ThreeFive representatives of coal transition workers, at least one of whom must work at a coal mine and at least one of whom must work at an electric utility;

(e.5)  The director shall ensure that the composition of the advisory committee described in subsection (6)(e) of this section is as geographically diverse as possible, including members from each tier one transition community.

(i)  This subsection (6) is repealed, effective September 1, 20252030. Before the repeal, this subsection (6) is scheduled for review in accordance with section 2-3-1203.

SECTION 3.  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.