HB 23-1258

House Bill 23-1258 establishes a task force to evaluate the costs related to enforcing drug laws and incarcerating individuals for drug crimes in Colorado. The University of Colorado School of Public Health will conduct a study on these costs, which will then be used by the task force to make recommendations about how savings from changes in drug crime enforcement could be spent to reduce substance use and dependence. The bill was signed into law but was vetoed by the governor later. As it stands now, with the veto, the bill is not enacted unless there's an override vote, which hasn't happened yet.

Official Summary

The act creates the evaluating the costs associated with enforcement of and incarceration for drug crimes task force (task force). The act requires the university of Colorado school of public health to conduct a actuarial study (study) to evaluate the costs associated with the enforcement of drug laws and incarceration in the state. The study must: Consider and determine state and local government costs associated with the investigation of drug crimes and the enforcement of drug laws; Consider and determine the costs incurred by the judicial department in adjudicating drug crimes and supervising defendants convicted of drug crimes; Consider and determine state and local government costs associated with confining and incarcerating individuals accused of and convicted of drug crimes and the state costs associated with parole supervision for those convicted of drug crimes; and Determine the total state and local government costs associated with enforcing drug laws, investigating and punishing drug crimes, and rehabilitating those convicted of drug crimes. The university of Colorado school of public health shall provide the study to the task force. The task force shall consider the study and make recommendations to the general assembly regarding how money saved by reducing drug crimes or sentencing for drug crimes could be spent to reduce substance use and dependence in Colorado. The task force shall create a report of its findings by June 1, 2024, and shall present the report to the judiciary committees of the house of representatives and senate. The act appropriates: $79,914 from the general fund to the department of higher education for use by the university of Colorado to complete the study; $16,138 from the general fund to the department of public health and environment for administrative expenses; and $1,324 from the general fund to legislative department for per diem and expense reimbursement. VETOED by Governor June 6, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes