Colorado 2025 Bills

Prohibiting Price Gouging in Sales of Necessities

House Bill 25-1010, which has been signed into law in Colorado, aims to prevent price gouging during declared disaster emergencies. It defines price gouging as increasing the price of essential goods or services by more than 10% after a governor's declaration of an emergency, based on market disruptions. The law ensures that normal seasonal pricing is exempt from being considered price gouging. This bill protects consumers by preventing unfair price hikes for necessities during emergencies and applies to anyone selling such items in Colorado.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Wildfire Information & Resource Center Website

Senate Bill 25-015, which has been signed into law, requires Colorado’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control to update the Wildfire Information and Resource Center website. The updates include adding links to websites that provide emergency information and wildfire updates specific to each county in Colorado. This ensures that residents can easily find local details about wildfires affecting their area. The bill affects anyone who relies on this website for wildfire information, particularly those living in or near areas prone to wildfires. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law and the necessary changes are expected to be implemented soon.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Limitation of Actions Against Appraisers

Senate Bill 25-035 limits the time frame for filing claims against real estate appraisers in Colorado. Under this law, anyone who wants to sue an appraiser must do so within five years of receiving the appraisal report. However, there are exceptions for consumers involved in residential mortgage loans or transactions and mortgage originators required to repurchase a loan, as well as cases involving fraud, misrepresentation, or discriminatory housing practices. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now enforceable and will affect how claims against appraisers are handled in the state.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Diabetes Prevention & Obesity Treatment Act

Senate Bill 25-048, also known as the Diabetes Prevention and Obesity Treatment Act, requires large group health insurance plans in Colorado to cover treatments for obesity and pre-diabetes starting January 1, 2027. This includes programs similar to the national diabetes prevention program, nutritional counseling, intensive behavioral therapy, and certain surgeries like metabolic or bariatric surgery. Insurance companies must also offer policyholders the option to buy coverage for FDA-approved weight loss medications, including at least one type of GLP-1 medication. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these requirements will go into effect as planned.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Postsecondary Credit Transfer Website

House Bill 25-1038, which has been signed into law, requires Colorado’s Department of Higher Education to create a free online platform that helps students understand how their credits and courses can transfer between public colleges and universities in the state. This includes information on work experiences and prior learning opportunities that could earn academic credit. The law also allows private nonprofit institutions to voluntarily contribute similar information to this resource. Starting January 1, 2026, all public institutions must provide comprehensive records of their transfer policies for courses taken from fall 2023 onward. This platform aims to make it easier for students to navigate the complexities of transferring credits and choosing educational paths in Colorado.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Applying Artificial Intelligence to Fight Wildfire

Senate Bill 25-022 allocates $7.5 million to study and develop artificial intelligence tools that can predict, prevent, and help fight wildfires in Colorado. This money will be used by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to create maps and models that classify vegetation, predict wildfire risks after lightning strikes, track fire perimeters, and forecast where fires might spread. The bill is now signed into law, meaning the funding and initiatives it outlines are officially approved and can proceed.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Local Government Permitting Wireless Telecommunications Facilities

HB 25-1056 is a Colorado bill that speeds up the process for telecommunications companies to build new cell towers or make significant changes to existing ones by setting a strict 90-day deadline for local governments to approve or reject applications. If the local government doesn’t act within this timeframe, the application is automatically approved unless there are missing documents or mutual agreement to extend the period. The bill also prevents local governments from unreasonably delaying construction permits and ensures that companies don't need to file new paperwork when they replace equipment at existing facilities without making major changes. This bill was signed into law and will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

No Pricing Coordination Between Landlords

House Bill 25-1004, also known as the "No Pricing Coordination Between Landlords" bill, aims to prevent landlords in Colorado from using algorithms or other tools to coordinate rent prices or occupancy terms. This means that landlords can't use similar formulas or data to set rental rates together, which could lead to higher costs for tenants. The bill was signed into law but was later vetoed by the governor on May 29, 2025. In practice, this veto means that despite the initial approval of the bill, it will not become a law and current practices regarding rent pricing coordination between landlords remain unchanged.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Trauma-Informed School Safety Practices

Senate Bill 25-027, known as the Trauma-Informed School Safety Practices Act, aims to create a work group that will develop guidelines for schools on how to conduct safety drills in a way that is sensitive to students' mental health and past traumas. The work group must start its activities once it receives at least $50,000 from donations or grants, and it has until September 1, 2026, to complete its recommendations. If the funding isn't secured by June 30, 2027, any collected funds will be redirected to the state education fund instead. This bill is now signed into law, meaning that schools in Colorado can expect new guidelines on trauma-informed safety practices in the near future.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Medical Necessity Determination Insurance Coverage

House Bill 25-1002, also known as the Medical Necessity Determination Insurance Coverage Act, ensures that insurance plans cover mental health and substance use disorders at least as well as they do physical illnesses. This means no limits on treatment just for short-term symptom relief and strict rules against changing coverage decisions unless there's evidence of fraud. The bill also gives the commissioner of insurance the power to create guidelines to ensure these protections are followed properly, making sure that people with mental health or substance use disorders get meaningful and consistent care from their insurance plans. The bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions will now be enforced by insurance companies in Colorado.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Food Waste Reduction in Public Schools

House Bill 25-1059, also known as the Food Waste Reduction in Public Schools Act, encourages Colorado public schools to create policies that reduce food waste. These policies can include composting, donating extra food to local nonprofits, or setting up share tables where students can redistribute untouched but safe food items. The bill ensures that these initiatives comply with health and safety regulations and provides immunity from liability for school staff involved in implementing such programs. Since the bill has been signed into law, Colorado public schools are now encouraged to adopt these waste-reducing practices.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Voluntary Do-Not-Sell Firearms Waiver

Senate Bill 25-034 in Colorado allows individuals to voluntarily waive their right to purchase firearms for a certain period. This waiver is entered into the national background check system and prevents firearm transfers while it's active. The state will create an online portal where people can submit, update, or revoke these waivers. If someone tries to buy a gun during this waiver period, they could face a fine of up to $25. The bill requires the department to receive at least $200,000 in grants or donations before implementing the system. Since it has been signed into law, the process for creating and using this online portal will now move forward.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

School District Solar Garden Lease Term

House Bill 25-1006, which has been signed into law, allows Colorado school districts to lease their unused property for longer periods than the usual 10-year limit. This extended leasing can be used specifically for solar fields, energy storage systems, or affordable housing projects. If a school district decides to use its property for an affordable housing project, it must create a policy defining what qualifies as "affordable housing" for that specific project. This law benefits school districts looking to generate income through renewable energy and support community housing needs.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Department of Corrections Visitation Rights

House Bill 25-1013, which has been signed into law, establishes the right for people in Colorado correctional facilities to have visitors. However, it also allows the Department of Corrections to limit or restrict visits under certain circumstances, such as when a person is in restrictive housing, if there are safety concerns, or if required by court orders or investigations. The bill ensures that video visits can supplement but not replace in-person visits and requires the department to make reasonable efforts for inmates to attend funerals or newborn family events virtually or by phone if they give proper notice. This law affects individuals who are confined in correctional facilities and their visitors, providing clearer guidelines on visitation rights while allowing necessary restrictions for security and legal reasons.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Electroconvulsive Treatment for Minors

House Bill 25-1070, which has been signed into law in Colorado, changes the rules for electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) for minors aged 15 years or younger. Previously, ECT could only be performed if it was medically necessary to treat life-threatening malignant catatonia. The new law removes this specific condition, meaning that ECT can now be authorized under a broader set of medical circumstances for young patients. This affects minors and their healthcare providers in Colorado, potentially making ECT more accessible but also raising concerns about its use. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law and医疗机构在回答中止了。根据已有的信息，我来完成总结： 该法案取消了对未成年人接受电休克治疗（ECT）的特定医疗条件限制，使得医生可以基于更广泛的医学判断为15岁及以下患有严重精神疾病的儿童开具这种治疗方法。这项法律变动影响到需要此类治疗的年轻患者及其家属和医疗服务提供者。由于该法案已经签署成为法律，这意味着它已经在实践中生效了。

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

American Indian Affairs Interim Committee

House Bill 25-1057 establishes a new committee called the American Indian affairs interim committee. The committee's job is to look into issues and challenges faced by American Indian Tribal Nations in Colorado. It includes six voting members from the state legislature and two non-voting members from the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. This committee can meet up to six times a year and suggest up to five bills, but it won't do this during the 2025 interim period. The committee will submit a final report by January 15, 2031, summarizing its work over the previous five years before being dissolved on June 30, 2031. This bill has been signed into law and is now in effect.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Defense

House Bill 25-1058, also known as the "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity Defense" bill, changes how Colorado courts handle defendants who plead not guilty due to mental illness. The bill requires judges to work with mental health experts to decide if a defendant needs an overnight stay for a thorough evaluation and sets rules for where these evaluations can take place—either at a jail or a specialized facility. It also ensures that during any recorded examination, the defendant is dressed appropriately and not visibly restrained. The bill has been signed into law, meaning its provisions are now in effect. This affects anyone who enters a "not guilty by reason of insanity" plea in Colorado courts and impacts how these cases are handled moving forward.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Student Athlete Name Image or Likeness

House Bill 25-1041, also known as the "Student Athlete Name Image or Likeness" bill in Colorado, allows college athletes and those eligible for intercollegiate sports to earn money from using their names, images, or likenesses. This means student athletes can now enter into contracts that were previously prohibited, giving them more freedom to profit from their own brand. The bill also requires colleges to report on gender- and sport-based spending and protects personal information in athlete contracts from public disclosure. Since the bill has been signed, it is now law and affects all institutions of higher education and student athletes in Colorado.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Local Government Tax Audit Confidentiality Standards

Senate Bill 25-046, now signed into law, sets rules to keep taxpayer information private when local governments hire outside auditors to check sales and use tax. This means that third-party auditors can't share details about a business's taxes with anyone else unless it’s for specific reasons like reporting to the government or helping resolve disputes between different agencies. The law also allows businesses to give permission for their own information to be shared if they want. Violating these privacy rules is punishable by fines of up to $1,000 per violation. This bill protects taxpayers' confidential data while allowing necessary communication among relevant authorities.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Judicial Officers

This Colorado bill, which has been signed into law, increases the number of judges in several judicial districts starting from July 2025. Specifically, it adds one district court judge and one county court judge in certain counties like La Plata and others for subsequent years. Additionally, it allows district court judges assigned to Arapahoe County to have their offices outside the county seat. The bill also allocates funds to support these new positions and to help the state public defender's office. This means that more judges will be available to handle cases in those areas starting next year, potentially reducing caseloads and wait times for court appearances.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Public Employees' Retirement Association Risk-Reduction Measures

Senate Bill 25-028, also known as Public Employees' Retirement Association Risk-Reduction Measures, changes how often PERA (Public Employees' Retirement Association) conducts its financial studies and audits. Instead of doing these every five years, the bill requires them to happen every four years starting in 2024 for the actuarial experience study and in 2026 for the periodic actuarial audit. It also mandates that an independent review of PERA’s economic assumptions be conducted every four years after each audit. This affects public employees' retirement benefits by ensuring more frequent assessments to manage risks better. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these changes are now in effect.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Investment Authority of State Treasurer for Affordable Housing

Senate Bill 25-006, which has been signed into law, allows Colorado's state treasurer to invest up to $50 million in special bonds that help create affordable homes for sale. These homes are meant for people earning up to 140% of the area’s median income and would likely not be built without this investment. The bill ensures these homes stay affordable over time and requires regular updates on how the money is being used. This law aims to make homeownership more accessible for low- and moderate-income families in Colorado.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Financial Assistance for County Jails

Senate Bill 25-012, which has been signed into law, changes the name and responsibilities of an existing commission that helps fund courthouse facilities. The new law now allows this commission to also support county jails, providing financial assistance for construction or remodeling projects. Counties can receive grants covering up to half of their annual debt payments for approved financing related to these improvements. This bill aims to help counties manage costs associated with maintaining and upgrading both court facilities and jail infrastructure.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Pretrial Release for Repeat Violent Offenses

House Bill 25-1072, which has been signed into law, stops courts from releasing individuals on personal recognizance bonds without the district attorney's agreement if those individuals are accused of violent crimes and have a recent history of such offenses. This applies to people who were convicted of a violent crime within the last two years or who currently face at least two pending charges for violent crimes. The law also sets a minimum bond amount of $7,500 for repeat violent offenders. This bill aims to keep potentially dangerous individuals in custody before their trials if they meet these criteria.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Protections Against Child Rape

House Bill 25-1073, titled "Protections Against Child Rape," aims to strengthen penalties for individuals convicted of sexually assaulting children. The bill mandates that offenders convicted of sexual assault on a child receive an indeterminate prison sentence ranging from the minimum term (2 years for class 4 felonies and 4 years for class 3 felonies) to life in prison, without the option for probation. This change affects those who commit these crimes against children under 15 or older children when the perpetrator is in a position of trust. Since the bill has been signed into law, it will now be enforceable by Colorado courts.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Income Tax Credit for Public Employees' Retirement Association Retirees

HB 25-1052 is a Colorado bill that creates a refundable income tax credit for retired public employees who are at least 65 years old and have an annual federal adjusted gross income of no more than $38,000 for single filers or $76,000 for joint filers. This credit will be available from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026, benefiting full-time Colorado residents who meet the income criteria. Since the bill has been signed into law, eligible retirees can expect tax relief starting in 2025.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Modify Long-Term Care Insurance Income Tax Credit

HB 25-1045 is a Colorado bill that aims to make long-term care insurance more accessible and affordable by increasing the income limit for people who can claim a tax credit when they buy this type of insurance. It also doubles the amount of the tax credit available starting in 2026, making it worth more to those who qualify. This change will benefit individuals looking to purchase long-term care insurance by providing them with greater financial support through tax credits. Since the bill has been signed into law, these changes are set to take effect as planned.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Naturopathic Doctor Requirements Formulary

Senate Bill 25-032 in Colorado updates the requirements for naturopathic doctors by expanding their ability to prescribe certain medications and adding new educational and certification requirements. The bill allows these doctors to prescribe a wider range of drugs, including some controlled substances, but restricts them from prescribing antipsychotics or ketamine without special approval and from treating individuals under 18 years old with prescription medicines. Naturopathic doctors must complete additional training in pharmacology and pass specific exams to be eligible for the expanded formulary. This bill has been signed into law, meaning these new requirements are now enforceable.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · Senate

Repeal Recycled Paper Carryout Bag Fee

House Bill 25-1051, which has been signed into law, removes the requirement for retail stores in Colorado to charge a fee of at least 10 cents for recycled paper carryout bags. This means that starting now, retailers can provide these paper bags without charging customers any additional fees. The bill affects shoppers and businesses by potentially increasing the use of free paper bags instead of reusable or plastic alternatives. Since it has been signed, the law is in effect and changes how bag distribution works at retail stores.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

State Tax Expenditure & Grant Database

House Bill 25-1048, which has been signed into law, requires the creation of an online database by the Department of Revenue. This database will list all state tax breaks and grant programs that meet certain criteria, such as those with limited funding or requiring approval from a state agency. The database must be completed by December 31, 2026, and updated annually thereafter. This law affects anyone interested in state grants or tax benefits, including businesses and individuals who might qualify for these programs. Since the bill has been signed, it is now an active law that will guide how the Department of Revenue manages this new database.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Income Tax Expenditures for Service Members

HB 25-1012, titled "Income Tax Expenditures for Service Members," changes how Colorado provides tax benefits to military personnel. Starting in 2027, it removes a state income tax reduction for individuals who have returned residency and receive compensation from active duty service. However, between 2027 and 2031, it introduces a refundable tax credit for members of the Colorado National Guard to help cover tuition costs if they are already eligible for similar assistance programs. This bill is now signed into law, meaning these changes will take effect as scheduled unless further action is taken.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Increase Stakeholder Participation

House Bill 25-1069, which has been signed into law, requires Colorado legislators to create a public online forum starting July 1, 2028. This forum will allow lawmakers to post drafts or titles of bills they are considering for the next legislative session, giving citizens an opportunity to review and provide feedback before the formal legislative process begins. Each legislator can upload up to three versions of each bill draft or title, but all posted content must include a disclaimer stating that the proposed legislation may change and isn't guaranteed to be introduced. The online forum will be active until just before the start of the legislative session when it will be taken down. This law aims to increase public engagement in the early stages of bill development.

Last action: 2025-01-08 · House

Adjournment Sine Die

Last action: 2024-08-29 · Senate

Property Tax

Property tax revenue limit. Senate Bill 24-233, concerning property tax, created a limit on the annual growth of specified property tax revenue (property tax limit) for certain local governments excluding school districts. Sections 3 through 7 of the act modify that property tax limit and create a new property tax limit for school districts. Specifically, the act: Modifies the property tax limit for local governments excluding school districts so that this limit is no longer 5.5% but is instead equal to the greatest amount of qualified property tax revenue collected by a local government in a previous property tax year increased by 5.25% multiplied by the number of property tax years in a reassessment cycle; Establishes a new property tax limit for school districts that is equal to the greatest amount of local share of statewide total program property tax revenue collected by a school district in a previous property tax year increased by the greater of 6% multiplied by the number of property tax years in a reassessment cycle or the sum of the percentage by which the general assembly annually increases the statewide base per pupil funding for public education from kindergarten through twelfth grade and the percentage increase in pupil enrollment for both the relevant property tax year and the other property tax year in the same reassessment cycle; Annually establishes the valuation for assessment (valuation) for residential property as necessary to ensure that school districts do not exceed the property tax limit for school districts and to compensate for inaccurate adjustments to valuation in the immediately preceding property tax year; Allows waiver of the property tax limit for all school districts, but requires statewide voter approval for such waiver and does not allow individual school districts to locally waive their individual property tax limits; Increases both the property tax limit for local governments excluding school districts and the property tax limit for school districts by the difference between the amount of relevant property tax revenue retained by the local government or school district and the amount of relevant property tax revenue that the local government or school district could have retained as a result of the property tax limit; and Requires certain language to be included in any ballot question that seeks to waive either property tax limit created in these sections. Nonresidential and personal property valuation reductions. Sections 8 and 9 lower the valuation for most nonresidential and personal property as follows: For the property tax year commencing on January 1, 2024, the valuation for lodging property is 27.9% of the actual value of the property minus the lesser of thirty thousand dollars or the amount that reduces the valuation for assessment to $1,000; For the property tax year commencing on January 1, 2025, the valuation for most nonresidential and personal property is 27% of the actual value of the property; For the property tax year commencing on January 1, 2026, the valuation for commercial property and agricultural property is 25% of the actual value of the property and the valuation for most other nonresidential and personal property is 26%; and For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2027, the valuation for most nonresidential and personal property is 25% of the actual value of the property. Residential real property valuation reductions. The act also lowers the valuation for residential real property. The amount of the reduction is based on the increase in statewide actual value between the property tax year that commences on January 1, 2024, and the property tax year that commences on January 1, 2025. If the increase in actual value is greater than 5%, sections 10 and 11 reduce the valuation for residential real property as follows: For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2025, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 6.95% of the actual value of the property; For the property tax year commencing on January 1, 2025, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a local government that is not a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 6.15%; and For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a local government that is not a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 6.7% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus the lesser of 10% of the actual value of the property, $70,000 as adjusted for inflation in the first year of each subsequent reassessment cycle, or the amount that causes the valuation for assessment of the property to be $1,000. If the increase in statewide actual value is less than or equal to 5%, sections 10 and 11 reduce the valuation for residential real property as follows: For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2025, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 7.05% of the actual value of the property; For the property tax year commencing on January 1, 2025, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a local government that is not a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 6.25%; and For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a local government that is not a school district, the valuation for residential real property is 6.8% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus the lesser of 10% of the actual value of the property, $70,000 as adjusted for inflation in the first year of each subsequent reassessment cycle, or the amount that causes the valuation for assessment of the property to be $1,000. Section 11 also adjusts the valuations for qualified-senior primary residence real property to mirror the adjustments to the valuations for residential real property made in sections 10 and 11. Property tax commission. Section 1 requires the commission on property tax to evaluate the equity of valuation for assessment established in both the act and Senate Bill 24-233 and to prepare a report on this evaluation no later than May 1, 2025. Definitions of assessed value and valuation for assessment. Section 2 creates definitions of "assessed value" and "valuation for assessment" that apply throughout statute to prevent any confusion arising from having 2 different assessment rates. Conforming amendments. Sections 12 and 13 make conforming amendments. Abstract of assessment. Section 14 requires a county assessor to file additional information along with the abstract of assessment that they filed on August 25, 2025, so that the property tax administrator may determine the amount of statewide actual value growth between the property tax year that commences on January 1, 2024, and the property tax year that commences on January 1, 2025. Local government backfill. Senate Bill 24-233 establishes a process for the state to reimburse local governments for lost property tax revenue for the property tax year commencing on January 1, 2024. Section 15 extends this process from Senate Bill 24-233 to cover the property tax year commencing on January 1, 2025, but only to cover decreases in assessed value attributable to the act. Notice of valuation and tax bill. Sections 16 and 17 remove references to assessed value and ratio of valuation for assessment from taxpayers' notice of valuation and tax bills to prevent confusion from having 2 different assessed values on a tax bill. Effective date. Senate Bill 24-233 becomes law only if neither of the following initiatives (property tax initiatives) are approved by the people at the general election held on November 5, 2024: An initiative that reduces valuations for assessment; or An initiative that requires voter approval for retaining property tax revenue that exceeds a limit. Section 18 modifies the effective date of Senate Bill 24-233 so that Senate Bill 24-233 takes effect either: On October 1, 2024, if both property tax initiatives are withdrawn from the ballot; or On the date of the official declaration of the vote, if one or both of the property tax initiatives appears on the ballot and no property tax initiative is approved by the people. Sections 19 and 20 establish the effective date of the act so that the majority of the act only takes effect if Senate Bill 24-233 becomes law. APPROVED by Governor September 4, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE September 4, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE October 1, 2024, or upon the date of the official declaration by the governor(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Special District Property Tax Limit Waiver

The bill authorizes a special district that meets specified criteria to seek voter approval to be exempted from any applicable statutory limitations on the collection, retention, or spending of property tax revenue by the special district. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Local Approval of Property Tax Initiatives

If approved by the voters of the state at the November 2024 general election, the concurrent resolution requires that a statewide initiative that impacts local government property tax revenue or spending of property tax revenue be approved by voters of a local government that is impacted by the statewide initiative before it applies to the property tax revenue of the local government. (Note: This summary applies to this concurrent resolution as introduced.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Expand Property Tax Exemptions

For property tax years commencing during property tax reassessment cycles (cycles) that begin on or after January 1, 2025, the bill changes the amount of the exemptions for the owner-occupied primary residence (residence) of a qualifying senior, a veteran with a disability, or the surviving spouse of a United States armed forces service member who died in the line of duty or veteran whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease (exemptions) from 50% of the first $200,000 of actual value of the residence to 50% of an amount of actual value of the residence equal to 50% of 50% of the estimated state median home value (median home value) for the state; except that, if the median home value declines, the exemption amount continues to be calculated based on the median home value used to calculate the exemption amount for the property tax years included in the prior cycle. The state constitution currently only allows a senior who has owned and occupied the senior's residence for 10 years, or the surviving spouse of such a senior, to claim the exemption. For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2027, if at the 2026 general election the voters of the state approve a referred constitutional amendment to allow a senior, or the surviving spouse of such a senior (surviving spouse), who has previously qualified for the exemption for 2016 or any later year for a prior residence to claim the exemption for the senior's or surviving spouse's current residence regardless of how long the senior or surviving spouse has owned and occupied that residence, the bill makes the statutory changes needed to conform to the constitutional amendment. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Valuation Assessment Reduction Residential Property

For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2025, the bill modifies the reduction in valuation for assessment of residential real property for the purpose of a levy imposed by a local governmental entity that was enacted in Senate Bill 24-233. Senate Bill 24-233 reduces the valuation for assessment of residential real property by the lesser of 10% of the actual value of the property or $70,000, as adjusted for inflation. The bill replaces that reduction with a reduction in valuation for assessment tied to the median actual value of residential real property in a county as determined by the county assessor as of the most recent assessment cycle. Under the new valuation reduction mechanism, the valuation for assessment is reduced based on the actual value of the property minus an amount equal to: For property with an actual value below 70% of the county median property value, 15% of the actual value of the property; or For property with an actual value equal to or exceeding 70% of the county median property value, the amount equal to the difference between: The amount equal to 15% of 70% of the county median property value; and The amount equal to 9% of the difference between: The actual value of the property; and The amount equal to 70% of the county median property value. The bill takes effect only if Senate Bill 24-233 becomes law. Senate Bill 24-233 becomes law only if neither of the following occur: An initiative that reduces valuations for assessment is approved by the people at the general election held on November 5, 2024; and An initiative that requires voter approval for retaining property tax revenue that exceeds a limit is approved by the people at the general election held on November 5, 2024.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Calculation of Property Tax for Special Districts

Last action: 2024-08-26 · Senate

Restore Gallagher Amendment to Property Tax

Under a provision commonly known as the "Gallagher Amendment", the state constitution previously required that the percentage of the aggregate assessed value attributable to residential real property remain the same as it was in the year immediately preceding a new reassessment cycle. Under the Gallagher Amendment, the assessment rate for most nonresidential property was fixed at 29% of actual value, and over time, as residential property values increased, the assessment rate for residential property was driven down, from 21% of actual value in 1985, to 7.15% of actual value in 2019, in order to maintain the required percentage of statewide assessed value attributable to residential property. In 2020, the general assembly adopted, and the voters approved, an amendment to the state constitution to repeal the Gallagher Amendment, thus eliminating the required proportion of statewide assessed value attributable to residential real property and the constitutionally fixed assessment rate for most nonresidential property. The concurrent resolution amends the state constitution to reestablish the essential components of the Gallagher Amendment by: Setting a new base year, which is the 2026 property tax year, for determining the percentage of the aggregate statewide assessed value that is attributable to residential real property; Requiring that percentage of the aggregate statewide assessed value attributable to residential real property to remain the same as the percentage in the year immediately preceding a new reassessment cycle; Requiring the general assembly to establish the valuation for assessment for residential real property to ensure compliance with the proportion required by the state constitution; and Permanently fixing the valuation for assessment for nonresidential property, other than producing mines and lands or leaseholds producing oil or gas, to be as set forth in state statute for the 2026 property tax year.(Note: This summary applies to this concurrent resolution as introduced.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Primary Residence Real Property Valuation

Contingent on Senate Bill 24-233 becoming law, the bill is referred to the voters for their approval or rejection at the November 2025 statewide election. Senate Bill 24-233 becomes law only if neither of the following occur: An initiative that reduces valuations for assessment is approved by the people at the general election held on November 5, 2024; and An initiative that requires voter approval for retaining property tax revenue that exceeds a limit is approved by the people at the general election held on November 5, 2024. If the bill is referred to the voters and approved, then for property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, it creates a new subclass of residential real property called qualified primary residence real property, which includes residential real property that, as of the assessment date, is used as the primary residence of an owner-occupier, as defined in the bill, if: The owner-occupier applies to the county assessor for the classification in the manner required by the bill; The circumstances that qualify the property for the classification have not changed since the filing of the application; and The property is not classified as qualified-senior primary residence real property for the current property tax year. The bill modifies the residential property valuation for the purpose of a levy imposed by a local governmental entity, enacted in Senate Bill 24-233, so that the reduction in valuation for assessment of the lesser of 10% of the actual value of the property or $70,000, as adjusted for inflation, applies only to real property classified as qualified primary residence real property. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Accessible Housing Property Taxes

The bill adjusts the percentages used to calculate the valuations for assessment for residential property that is accessible housing property. For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2025, the bill reduces the percentages by 1/60 of 1%, up to a maximum of 1%, for each point by which an accessible housing property exceeds the number of accessibility points required by state accessible housing standards. For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2025, the bill reduces the percentages for accessible housing properties that achieve at least the specified number of accessibility points required by state accessible housing standards by a range of percentages, not to exceed 1%. The percentages decrease according to the type of accessible units that are contained within the accessible housing property in the following order with the largest decreases being listed first: Type A dwelling units, Type A multistory dwelling units, Type B dwelling units, Type B multistory dwelling units, and Type B visitable ground floor units.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Tax Code Legislative Task Force

The bill creates the tax code legislative task force (task force). The task force consists of both members of the general assembly and individuals who are not members of the general assembly. The purpose of the task force is to make recommendations to restructure the tax burden on the citizens of the state to foster economic growth and to design a new tax code that eliminates all taxes and fees in the state other than the sales and use tax. The task force is required to: Convene no later than June 2, 2025; Meet at least once every 3 months or more often as directed by the chair of the task force; Make findings and determinations regarding specified aspects of state and local government taxes and revenue; and Submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the general assembly within one year of its first meeting. The task force is repealed on June 30, 2027. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Authorize Local Government Land Value Tax

Last action: 2024-08-26 · Senate

Additional Property Tax Relief for Homeowners

The bill provides additional property tax relief for certain homeowners by reducing the valuation for assessment (valuation) for residential real property for the purpose of a levy imposed by a local governmental entity other than a school district, enacted in Senate Bill 24-233, as follows: For qualified-senior primary residence real property: For the 2025 property tax year, the valuation is reduced from 6.4% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus either 50% of the first $200,000 of that actual value plus the lesser of 10% of that actual value or $70,000 or the amount that causes the valuation to be $1,000 to 6.4% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus either 50% of the first $200,000 of that actual value plus the lesser of 15% of that actual value or $55,000 or the amount that causes the valuation to be $1,000; and For the 2026 property tax year, the valuation is reduced from 6.95% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus either 50% of the first $200,000 of that actual value plus the lesser of 10% of that actual value or $70,000 or the amount that causes the valuation to be $1,000 to 6.95% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus either 50% of the first $200,000 of that actual value plus the lesser of 15% of that actual value or $55,000 or the amount that causes the valuation to be $1,000; For all residential real property other than qualified-senior primary residence real property, for the 2026 property tax year and each succeeding property tax year, the valuation is reduced from 6.95% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus the lesser of 10% of that actual value or $70,000 as increased for inflation in the first year of each subsequent reassessment cycle to 6.95% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus the lesser of 15% of that actual value or $55,000 as increased for inflation in the first year of each subsequent reassessment cycle. The bill takes effect only if Senate Bill 24-233 becomes law. Senate Bill 24-233 becomes law only if neither of the following occur: An initiative that reduces valuations for assessment is approved by the people at the general election held on November 5, 2024; and An initiative that requires voter approval for retaining property tax revenue that exceeds a limit is approved by the people at the general election held on November 5, 2024.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Business Personal Property Tax Exemptions

Section 1 of the act clarifies that personal property used in direct connection with the operation of a greenhouse for the sole purpose of growing crops in the greenhouse to obtain a monetary profit from the wholesale of plant-based food for human or livestock consumption is included in the definition of equipment used in a controlled environment agricultural (CEA) facility and is thus exempt pursuant to the exemption for such agricultural equipment, which exemption is permanently extended to all future property tax years in section 2 of the act. APPROVED by Governor September 6, 2024 EFFECTIVE November 28, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Last action: 2024-08-26 · House

Adjourn Sine Die

Last action: 2024-05-06 · Senate

Notify Governor of Adjournment

Last action: 2024-05-06 · Senate

Property Tax

Property tax revenue limit. Beginning with the 2025 property tax year, section 1 of the act establishes a limit on qualified property tax revenue, as defined by the act, for local governments (limit). This limit does not apply to local governments that are home rule municipalities, school districts, have not received voter approval to exceed the statutory 5.5% property tax revenue limitation, or have not received voter approval to collect, retain, and spend the majority of their property tax revenue without regard to the limitations in section 20 of article X of the state constitution. The limit is equal to the local governmental entity's base year qualified property tax revenue increased by 5.5% for each year since the base year including the relevant property tax year. A local government may seek voter approval to waive the limit. A local governmental entity's base year qualified property tax revenue is: For a local governmental entity that had qualified property tax revenue for the 2023 property tax year, the local governmental entity's qualified property tax revenue for the 2023 property tax year, plus any money the local governmental entity received from the state to compensate the local governmental entity for reduced property tax revenue in the 2023 property tax year; For a local governmental entity that did not have qualified property tax revenue for the 2023 property tax year, the local governmental entity's qualified property tax revenue for the first year that the local governmental entity has property tax revenue; or If applicable, the local governmental entity's qualified property tax revenue for the most recent property tax year for which the local governmental entity's voters approved temporarily waiving the limit. If a local government's qualified property tax revenue would otherwise exceed the limit, the local government shall either establish a temporary property tax credit equal to the number of mills necessary to prevent the local government's qualified property tax revenue from exceeding the limit or temporarily reduce its mill levy. Nonresidential real property valuation reductions. Under current law, for nonresidential property, the valuation for assessment (valuation) is 29% of the actual value of the property. However, certain categories of nonresidential property had temporarily reduced valuations for property tax 2023. Section 2 extends these temporarily reduced valuations to property tax year 2024. Section 2 also permanently reduces the valuations for commercial and agricultural property as follows: For property tax year 2025, the valuation is 27% of the actual value of the property; and For property tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2026, the valuation is 25% of the actual value of the property. Residential real property valuation reductions. For the 2024 property tax year, section 4 makes 2 reductions to residential real property valuation by continuing the 2023 property tax year reductions to residential real property valuation: For multi-family residential real property, section 4 reduces the valuation from 6.8% of the actual value of the property to 6.7% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus the lesser of $55,000 or the amount that causes the valuation for assessment of the property to be $1,000 (alternate amount); and For all other residential real property, section 4 reduces the valuation from an estimated 7.06% of the actual value of the property to 6.7% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus the lesser of $55,000 or the alternate amount. For the 2025 property tax year, section 4 modifies residential real property valuation so that the valuation for all residential real property is: For the purpose of a levy imposed by a school district, 7.15% of the actual value of the property; and For the purpose of a levy imposed by a local governmental entity that is not a school district, 6.4% of the actual value of the property. For the 2026 property tax year and all future property tax years, section 4 also reduces the valuation for all residential real property from 7.15% of the actual value of the property. For all residential real property, the valuation is: For the purpose of a levy imposed by a school district, the lesser of 7.15% of the actual value of the property or a percentage of the actual value of the property determined by the property tax administrator pursuant to section 7; and For the purpose of a levy imposed by a local governmental entity that is not a school district, 6.95% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus the lesser of 10% of the actual value of the property or $70,000 as adjusted for inflation in the first year of each subsequent reassessment cycle. Qualified-senior primary residence residential real property. Senate Bill 24-111 created a new residential real property subclass: qualified-senior primary residence residential real property. In addition to the other reductions for resdiential real property made in section 4, section 4 makes the following valuation reductions for qualified-senior primary residence residential real property: For property tax year 2025, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a local governmental entity that is not a school district, 6.4% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus either 50% of the first $200,000 of that actual value plus the lesser of 10% of the actual value of the property or $70,000 or the alternate amount; For property tax year 2026, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a local governmental entity, 6.95% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus either 50% of the first $200,000 of that actual value plus the lesser of 10% of the actual value of the property or $70,000 or the alternate amount; and For property tax year 2025, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a school district, 7.15% of the amount equal to the actual value of the property minus either 50% of the first $200,000 of that actual value or the alternate amount. Adjustable residential real property valuation. Section 7 requires legislative council staff to notify the state board of equalization of the first year after 2026 in which the local share of total program is equal to or greater than 60% of the total program determined pursuant to the "Public School Finance Act". For every property tax year after that year, the valuation for assessment for all residential real property, for the purpose of a levy imposed by a school district, is equal to the lesser of: 7.15% of the actual value of the property; or The percentage of the actual value of the property necessary for statewide school district property tax revenue divided by weighted total program to equal 0.6. Reimbursement of local governments. The state reimbursed local governmental entities for property tax revenue lost as a result of the reductions in valuation enacted in Senate Bill 22-238 and Senate Bill 23B-001. Section 9 establishes a reimbursement mechanism for certain local governmental entities other than school districts to account for property tax revenue lost as a result of the reductions in valuation in the act for the 2024 property tax year. The reimbursement mechanism requires the state to reimburse local governments in an amount equal to the decrease, if any, in assessed value between the 2022 and 2024 property tax years multiplied by the local governments' mill levy rate from the 2022 property tax year. Section 9 creates a fund out of which the state makes the reimbursements and requires the state treasurer to transfer to the fund $10,311,233 from the sustainable rebuilding program fund. Property tax deferral program. The existing property tax deferral program allows any person to defer the payment of the portion of real property taxes on the person's homestead that exceeds the tax-growth cap, which is an amount equal to the average of the person's real property taxes paid for the preceding 2 property tax years for the same homestead, increased by 4%. Beginning with the 2025 property tax year, section 10 removes the 4% tax-growth cap. Accordingly, beginning with the 2025 property tax year, a person may defer the payment of the portion of real property taxes on the person's homestead that exceeds the average of the person's real property taxes paid for the preceding 2 property tax years for the same homestead. Appropriation for state share of districts' total program funding. Beyond the appropriations in the act necessary for the administration of this act as outlined in sections 12 and 13, section 11 appropriates $378,861,731 to the department of education from the state education fund to cover the increases in the state share of districts' total program funding resulting from the assessed value reductions set forth in the act. APPROVED by Governor May 14, 2024 EFFECTIVE upon the date of the official declaration by the governor NOTE: This act does not take effect if either or both of the following occur at the next general election: An initiative that reduces valuations for assessment is approved by the people; An initiative that requires voter approval for retaining property tax revenue that exceeds a limit is approved by the people. If this act takes effect then this act takes effect upon the date of the official declaration of the vote for the general election held on November 5, 2024; except that section 3 of this act takes effect only if Senate Bill 24-111 does not become law, sections 4 and 8 of this act take effect only if Senate Bill 24-111 becomes law, section 6 of this act takes effect only if House Bill 24-1448 does not become law, and section 7 of this act takes effect only if House Bill 24-1448 becomes law. Senate Bill 24-111 was signed by the governor May 14, 2024. House Bill 24-1448 was signed by the governor May 23, 2024.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Last action: 2024-05-06 · Senate

Raise Damage Limit Tort Actions

For civil actions filed on or after January 1, 2025, the act increases the cap on damages for noneconomic loss or injury from $250,000 to $1.5 million, and, starting January 1, 2028, and every 2 years thereafter, adjusts the damages cap based on inflation. Current law specifies who may sue for wrongful death. The act adds a sibling of the deceased as a party who may bring a wrongful death action in certain circumstances. The act imposes a wrongful death damages cap of $2.125 million, and, starting January 1, 2028, and every 2 years thereafter, adjusts the damages cap based on inflation. Beginning January 1, 2025, the act incrementally increases the medical malpractice wrongful death damages limitation to $1.575 million over the course of 5 years. Thereafter, the cap is adjusted biennially for inflation. Existing law limits the amount recoverable for noneconomic damages in medical malpractice actions to $300,000. Beginning January 1, 2025, the act incrementally increases the noneconomic damages limitation to $875,000 over the course of 5 years. Thereafter, the cap is adjusted biennially for inflation. APPROVED by Governor June 3, 2024 EFFECTIVE January 1, 2025(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Last action: 2024-05-05 · House