HB 26-1397

HB 26-1397, a Colorado bill that was recently signed into law, changes how the state funds health benefits for firefighters and police officers. Originally, the bill would have required the state to provide money to help cover costs related to these benefits in future years, but it now cancels those planned payments starting in 2026. This affects local employers who contribute to a trust fund supporting volunteer and part-time firefighters as well as peace officer health screenings. Since the bill has been signed, these scheduled state contributions will no longer occur, shifting more financial responsibility back onto participating employers.

Official Summary

Joint Budget Committee. Current law requires the state treasurer to transfer $2.5 million to the firefighter benefits cash fund from the general fund on July 1, 2028, and on each July 1 thereafter, sufficient funds, subject to annual appropriation, to reimburse employers for the direct costs of providing certain benefits to firefighters and volunteer firefighters. Current law also requires the general assembly to appropriate $650,000 from the general fund to the department of local affairs (department) on July 1, 2026, and $1 million from the general fund to the department on July 1, 2027, to reduce participating employer contributions to a multiple employer health trust (trust) for volunteer firefighters and part-time firefighters. The bill repeals the appropriation otherwise required on July 1, 2026. required transfers and required appropriations     Current law requires the general assembly to appropriate money from the general fund to the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety for the purpose of reimbursing a multiple employer health trust for the direct costs of providing cardiac and other health screenings for peace officers as follows:$350,000 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; $500,000 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027; $1 million for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028; andOn each July 1 thereafter, sufficient funds.The bill repeals these required appropriations the appropriation otherwise required on July 1, 2026 . (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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