How do you pick your five?

At our most recent townhall where we presented a legislative preview, one of the attendees asked an interesting question: "How do you determine the list of bills that you will sponsor in a session?" As I began to craft a response, it occurred to me that others might have the same question. The following outlines my thought process for selecting my first five regular bills, as well as other considerations for when I request a late bill.

First, I try to focus my first five bills on the issues that are of most concern to the district collectively. For many years the top concern has been education, transportation, and housing. This is not to say these are the only issues, or that other areas cannot or do not rise up in their level of importance, but these three areas have consistently been at the top of the list. This year, in particular, affordable housing seems to be the highest concern, which is why I have made this a top priority. 

Second, I try to be responsive to individual constituent concerns as well. Sometimes, in order to be responsive, this means I must sponsor bills that may seem small and ordinary. Nevertheless, if there is a problem that needs to be solved that came from an individual or group from within our district, I try to make it happen. For example, last year we addressed an issue related to special mobile machinery presented to me by Arvada Rent-Alls and The Home Depots in Arvada/Westminster. The bill seems relatively boring, but addressing this issue had a significant positive impact to them and legislation was the only way to solve for it. 

Third, my professional area of expertise is education and I am known for my deep understanding of education issues. Since I am in tune with this policy area and have quite a long history of sponsoring bills that touch on a variety of education topics-- especially school finance--I am often tapped to sponsor bills related to this subject. Education also happens to correspond to a high priority area for the district. 

Fourth, I will sometimes sponsor a bill that is connected in some way to prior legislation. Maybe the bill or law needs more work, or I am expanding the scope, or perhaps it didn't pass the first time around, and therefore I must continue the work that has already begun. Sometimes these are referred to as clean-up bills, or it is a whole new bill that is the next step in a series of policy changes. This is especially true for many of the foster youth and special education funding bills that I have sponsored session after session.

My fifth and final reason is my committee assignment on the Joint Budget Committee. Many issues will often come up during our staff briefings or department hearings that are specific to the budget. Our committee bills must receive a unanimous vote in order to be introduced, which means they usually have widespread support from both chambers and both parties. Because these bills are related to the budget, I tend NOT to focus on them as one of my first five regular bills. However, JBC bills are my top reason for requesting additional late bills beyond my first five.

With all that said, here is a list of my first five bills and how it relates to my criteria above:

1. SB24-016 Tax Credits for Contributions via Intermediaries: This bill was presented to me as an issue by the Colorado Gives Foundation within our Senate District in Arvada. I chose this bill because of reason #2 and #1.
2. SB24-051 Adult Education: This is a clean up bill that to address an issue with a bill I passed last year (SB23-007). Also, I have a master's degree in adult education and I sponsored the original bill established the state program in 2014. I chose this bill because of reason #3, #4 and #1. 
3. Unintroduced: Sustainable Affordable Housing Assistance: This bill will help create state support for sustainable affordable housing through updating our land-use planning and strategies to prioritize housing needs across our state. Sen. Roberts and the Governor’s Office have been working on a similar bill, so we are combining our efforts (which has delayed the introduction). I chose this bill because of reason #1, #2, #4, and #5. It will be introduced next week. 
4. Unintroduced: Construction Liability Litigation Reform: Colorado needs more affordable and attainable housing options, but one of the problems we are facing is the lack of condos and townhomes. This bill will help address the problem in a variety of ways. This is a complex and controversial topic, we have delayed introduction to keep working with stakeholders. I chose this bill for reasons #1, #2, and #4. It will be introduced this week.  
5. Unintroduced: School Finance Act: This is the bill that provides the state share of funding to our public schools. I have sponsored the SFA (SB23-287) for several years and I am looking forward to sponsoring this year's bill for the last time (since this is my final session). We are waiting on some required data that is forthcoming before we can proceed. Also, this bill is very closely tied to the budget, which is still in formation, resulting in a delay of introduction. I chose this bill for reasons #1, #2, #3, #4, and #5.

Supplemental budget bills introduced: In January, the Joint Budget Committee considers department requests for adjustments to appropriations for the current fiscal year (FY 2023-24). These requests are known as "supplementals". The JBC reviews and approves of these requests. Then, staff prepares supplemental appropriation bills for each department to reflect any mid-year appropriation adjustments approved by the Committee. These bills were introduced on Friday and will be heard in the House beginning this week. As Vice Chair of the JBC, I am the main sponsor of the following bills, along with Chair Bird. Here is the list of bills:

HB24-1146 Medicaid Provider Suspension for Organized Fraud: Concerning authorizing the department of health care policy and financing to suspend a provider's enrollment if the provider is participating in an organized fraud scheme.

HB24-1180 Department of Agriculture Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of agriculture.

HB24-1181 Department of Corrections Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of corrections.

HB24-1182 Department of Early Childhood Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of early childhood.

HB24-1183 Department of Education Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of education.

HB24-1184 Department of Governor, Lt Governor, & OSPB Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and state planning and budgeting.

HB24-1185 Department of Health Care Policy & Financing Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of health care policy and financing.

HB24-1186 Department of Higher Education Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of higher education.

HB24-1187 Department of Human Services Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of human services.

HB24-1188 Judicial Department Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the judicial department.

HB24-1189 Department of Labor & Employment Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of labor and employment.

HB24-1190 Department of Law Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of law.

HB24-1191 Legislative Department Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of legislature.

HB24-1192 Department of Local Affairs Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of local affairs.

HB24-1193 Department of Military Affairs Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of military and veterans affairs.

HB24-1194 Department of Natural Resources Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of natural resources. 

HB24-1195 Department of Personnel Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of personnel.

HB24-1196 Department of Public Health & Environment Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of public health and environment.

HB24-1197 Department of Public Safety Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of public safety.

HB24-1198 Department of Regulatory Agencies Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of regulatory agencies.

HB24-1199 Department of Revenue Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of revenue.

HB24-1200 Department of State Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of state.

HB24-1201 Department of Transportation Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of transportation.

HB24-1202 Department of Treasury Supplemental: Concerning a supplemental appropriation to the department of the treasury.

HB24-1203 Capital Construction Supplemental: Concerning funding for capital construction, and making supplemental appropriations in connection therewith. 

HB24-1204 Capital Construction Information Technology: Concerning funding for capital construction information technology, and making supplemental appropriations in connection therewith.

HB24-1205 Colorado Imagination Library Program: Concerning modifications to the Colorado imagination library program to enhance early childhood literacy.

HB24-1206 School Food Authorities: Concerning including certain schools as types of school food authorities, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

HB24-1207 Adjustments to School Funding Budget Year 2023-24: Concerning adjustments to school funding for the 2023-24 budget year, and, in connection therewith, reducing an appropriation.

HB24-1208 Autism Treatment Fund: Concerning transfers to the autism treatment fund.

HB24-1209 America 250 - Colorado 150 Cash Fund: Concerning creation of the America 250 - Colorado 150 cash fund.

HB24-1210 Higher Education Longitudinal Data System Report Deadline: Concerning extending the deadline for the Colorado commission on higher education's statewide longitudinal data system report, and, in connection therewith, extending a related existing appropriation. 

HB24-1211 State Funding for Senior Services Contingency Fund: Concerning the establishment of the state funding for senior services contingency reserve fund, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.

HB24-1212 Board & Committee of 23rd Judicial District: Concerning entities serving the new twenty-third judicial district.

SB24-1213 General Fund Transfer Judicial Collection Enhancement: Concerning a transfer from the general fund thttps://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1205o the judicial collection enhancement fund.

Monday, January 29: The JBC began consideration of figure setting recommendations for FY24-25. They considered compensation common policies (PERA), community provider rate common policies, operating common policies, and the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

Tuesday, January 30: The JBC met to consider JBC Staff Comebacks, including for the Department of Corrections, and approved bill drafts to be included in the supplemental package.

Wednesday, January 31: The JBC met to consider supplemental comebacks and to approve supplemental package bill drafts.

Thursday, February 1: The JBC approved a bill draft, received an update of the GF Overview from Director Harper, considered a staff comeback, and heard public testimony on the FY24-25 long bill.

Friday, February 2: The JBC did not meet.

The JBC will meet on Monday, February 4 for a presentation by JBC staff regarding mid-year ARPA adjustments. To view the full JBC schedule, click HERE.

SB24-016 Tax Credits for Contributions via Intermediaries: Concerning qualification for state income tax credits for charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations, and, in connection therewith, authorizing a taxpayer to make a charitable contribution for which the taxpayer may claim a state income tax credit to a charitable recipient organization through a qualified intermediary that forwards the contribution to the charitable recipient organization and allowing a tax credit certificate for the Colorado homeless contribution tax credit to include only the last four digits, rather than all digits, of a taxpayer's social security number. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Finance Committee and will now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB24-051 Adult Education: Concerning modifications to enhance adult education in Colorado. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee and will head to the full Senate.

SB24-008 Kinship Foster Care Homes: Concerning increasing support for kinship foster care homes. The bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee and will now be heard in the Senate Finance Committee on February 8 upon adjournment.

SB24-070 Remote Testing & Online Education Programs: Concerning allowing online education programs to offer remote state assessment testing to students who attend online education programs. The bill was assigned to the Senate Education Committee on February 5 at 1:30 pm.

HB24-1160 Economic Development Organization Action Grant Program: Concerning the creation of the economic development organization action grant program. The bill was introduced and assigned to House Business Affairs & Labor Committee.

Chalkbeat Colorado: New school funding recommendations would overhaul Colorado's 1994 formula

Greeley Tribune: In wake of Medicaid drivers' scheme, Colorado lawmakers look to boost state's anti-fraud powers

Denver Post: Colorado Medicaid anti-fraud powers may be bolstered by bill

The Prowers Journal: Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Veterans Services Clears Senate

The Colorado Sun: Funding cut from program helping Colorado's toughest foster kids get adopted

Colorado Politics: Colorado lawmakers clash over 'Bill of Rights' guaranteeing gender pronouns, freedom from religious activities for foster youth

February 1, 2024 RELEASE: Bipartisan Zenzinger Bill to Improve Care for Foster Children Passes Committee

Legislative Town Hall Meeting: Healthcare



Please join Sen. Zenzinger, Rep. Daugherty, Rep. Bird, and Rep. Titone on Saturday, February 17 at 10:30 am for a legislative town hall focusing on the topic of healthcare. The location for the town hall will be the Indian Tree Golf Course, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003 (and NOT the library). For more information, please go to my website or click HERE.

Sen. Rhonda Fields endorses Zenzinger

“Rachel Zenzinger is a policy advocate who accepts every challenge with the greatest vigor. She has greatly benefited the most important institutions in Colorado, including transportation, the environment, and especially education at all levels; and she has my endorsement for Jefferson County Commission.”

--Rhonda Fields, State Senator

Endorsements of Rachel Zenzinger's campaign for Jeffco Commissioner are pouring in! To view the latest, click HERE. If you'd like to join the list of supporters, please send an email to: rachelforcolorado@gmail.com.