HB 22-1394

House Bill 22-1394, which has been signed into law in Colorado, allocates $15 million from the state's general fund to support workers and communities affected by changes in the coal industry. Specifically, it provides $5 million for community assistance programs and $10 million for workforce assistance programs aimed at helping coal workers transition to new jobs or industries. This funding will be available through the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year, allowing flexibility in how and when the money is spent. The bill also requires regular reporting on how these funds are being used. This support primarily benefits those directly impacted by shifts in Colorado's coal industry, including workers and residents in affected communities.

Official Summary

The act transfers $15 million from the general fund, with $5 million allocated to the just transition cash fund (fund) and $10 million allocated to the coal transition workforce assistance program account (account), and directs the department of labor and employment (department), through the just transition office (office), to expend the money for specified coal community and worker supports. The act also: Specifies that money remaining in the fund or the account at the end of any fiscal year remains in the fund or account, as applicable; Eliminates the requirement to spend a certain percentage of the money in the fund by the end of specified fiscal years and instead allows the department to expend money in the fund through the end of the 2023-24 state fiscal year and authorizes roll-forward spending authority of amounts appropriated from the fund to the department pursuant to 2021 legislation through the 2023-24 state fiscal year; Allows roll-forward spending authority of amounts appropriated from the account to the department pursuant to legislation passed earlier in the 2022 legislative session through the 2023-24 state fiscal year; and Starting in 2022, requires the director of the office to report to the joint budget committee on the history of expenditures from the fund and the account and the purposes for which money in the fund and account were expended or obligated in the previous state fiscal year. The act appropriates: $5 million from the fund to the department for use by the division of employment and training (division) to implement coal community supports; and $10 million from the account to the department for use by the division to implement coal worker supports.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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