HB 25-1321

House Bill 25-1321, titled "Support Against Adverse Federal Action," allocates $4 million from a federal fund to the Colorado governor's office for fiscal years 2025-26 and potentially 2026-27. This money will be used to hire staff or contractors who can help protect state interests against adverse federal actions, such as legal proceedings or threats that could impact federal funding or contracts for Colorado. The bill also allows the governor's office to cover costs related to legal defense for state employees involved in official duties. Since it has been signed into law, this bill is now active and its provisions are being implemented.

Official Summary

The act appropriates $4 million from the "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" cash fund (fund) to the office of the governor (office) for state fiscal year 2025-26, with roll-forward authority in state fiscal year 2026-27 for any money remaining in the fund after state fiscal year 2025-26. The act authorizes the office to accept gifts, grants, or donations for crediting to the fund to implement the act. The act authorizes the office, in the governor's discretion, to hire and employ personnel or retain contractors for purposes related to federal government actions that impact federal disbursements, grants, contracts, or money received by or transferred to the state. The office may also reimburse the department of law for costs associated with special assistant attorneys general who are contracted for the purposes of providing legal services: To state officers or employees related to legal proceedings, inquiries, hearings, or investigations initiated, pursued, or threatened by the federal government; or For the criminal defense of state officers or employees in legal actions arising out of their official acts or decisions. The office may also incur other expenditures covered by the fund that are consistent with the purposes of the act, as determined by the governor, including expenditures to preserve and protect state sovereignty or federal funding streams that benefit the state. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes