HB 26-1252

House Bill 26-1252 updates Colorado's emergency response systems by moving certain communication functions and creating a new state recovery task force. It also changes how disaster-related information is handled, making it less accessible to the public under specific conditions. The bill transfers some security threat responsibilities and simplifies grant application processes for nonprofits during emergencies. Additionally, it modifies advisory boards related to homeland security and cybersecurity and updates the office of preparedness to focus on grants management. Since the bill has been signed, these changes are now in effect, impacting how Colorado manages disaster recovery and emergency communications.

Official Summary

The act requires the division of homeland security and emergency management (division) in the department of public safety to create and implement a state preparedness goal and system to improve state and community preparedness and responses to threats to Colorado. The division will perform other duties to support homeland security initiatives, including consolidating and coordinating homeland security-related training, education, and professional development; coordinating and updating homeland security and critical infrastructure protection plans; administering state and federal grants; and coordinating all-hazard public risk communication products.     The act designates the office of emergency management (office) as the primary state agency responsible for coordinating disaster recovery, planning, training, exercise, and integration of the state recovery annex within the state emergency operations plan and reorganizes the office by:Moving the auxiliary communications unit from the office to the office of public safety communications in the division;Creating the state recovery task force within the office to coordinate disaster recovery efforts within the state, among other duties;Transferring certain duties and responsibilities related to the state's preparation for, and response to, security threats from the office of preparedness in the division to the office and repealing the office of preparedness.     Information related to disaster survivors is exempt from public disclosure, subject to certain exceptions.     The act repeals the requirement for the state controller to report to the joint budget committee about the expenditure of federal funds for costs associated with a disaster.     Application requirements for the Colorado nonprofit security grant program are relaxed during exigent circumstances.     The act changes the composition of state advisory boards related to homeland security and cybersecurity, including the homeland security and all-hazards senior advisory committee and the Colorado cybersecurity council.     The act moves the Colorado commission of Indian affairs to the newly established office of tribal and American Indian and Alaska Native affairs in the office of the lieutenant governor and limits the terms of the at-large members of the commission. The office of tribal and American Indian and Alaska Native affairs is tasked with coordinating with the office of emergency management during emergencies, as appropriate.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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