Budget bill sails through Senate, could face choppy waters in House
Last week, the Colorado State Senate passed Senate Bill 23-214, also known as the Long Bill. It's called the Long Bill because it's the bill that encompasses the entire state budget, which funds the executive, legislative, and judicial departments of the state of Colorado, and all of its agencies and institutions. To read the Long Bill Narrative (a summary of the budget) click HERE.
After some light floor work, including a moving tribute that I gave in honor of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day, and a public caucus, the Senate began debating the budget around noon and concluded around 5 pm. The debate centered around 50 amendments to the Long Bill, as well as 32 budget package bills (see below). The Senate passed all but one of the bills, SB23-232, which will be taken up on Monday, April 3.
As noted above, our Senate colleagues filed 50 Long Bill amendments, but ended up withdrawing several. Of the 37 amendments that were offered, 17 were adopted. In total, the amendments that were adopted increase the General Fund appropriations by $84.9 million. Also, the Senate added some additional funding ($10 million) to SB23-241, which will create a new Office of School Safety. The amendments ranged from adding $11,727 to the Civil Air Patrol Operations on the low end, to adding $30,594,501 to the Department of Treasury to repay a canceled direct distribution payment to PERA on the high end.
The Long Bill will now head over to the House for their consideration. The first thing they will do is strip all the Senate amendments and start from the original bill. Then, after the House takes their turn with their amendments, the bill will come back to the Senate and the Senate JBC members will make a motion to iron out the differences in a Conference Committee. The conference will likely take place the week of April 10. We must pass a balanced budget, so the JBC will examine the amendments and determine if they are possible.
Admitedly, I feel very fortunate to be serving in the Colorado State Senate. "Budget Day" is usually longer and fraught with more turmoil than what we experienced. From my perspective, the debate this year was very collaborative and we wrapped up in record time. I want to thank my two Senate JBC colleagues, Sen. Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village) and Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer (R-Weld County), for their hard work and cooperative spirit--as two new members to the committee, they did a great job! Now we will wait and see what changes will come from the House. |
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Orbital Bills to the Budget |
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SB23-215 State Employee Reserve Fund General Fund Transfer: Passed 35-0
SB23-216 Colorado Universal Preschool Program Funding: Passed 28-7
SB23-217 Separating Fees In Records And Reports Cash Fund: Passed 27-8
SB23-218 Repeal School Transformation Grant Program Administration Cap: Passed 34-1
SB23-219 Supports To Students And Facility Schools: Passed 35-0
SB23-220 Public School Capital Construction Assistance Grants: Passed 35-0
SB23-221 Healthy School Meals For All Program Fund: Passed 29-6
SB23-222 Medicaid Pharmacy And Outpatient Services Copayment: Passed 29-6
SB23-223 Medicaid Provider Rate Review Process: Passed 35-0
SB23-224 Colorado Commission Policies Postgraduate Student Exchange: Passed 35-0
SB23-225 Specialty Education CSU Medical School Partnership: Passed 35-0
SB23-226 Extending Transitional Jobs Program: Passed 33-2
SB23-227 State Agency Attorney Hourly Rate: Passed 35-0
SB23-228 Office Of Administrative Services For Independent Agencies: Passed 35-0
SB23-229 Statewide Behavioral Health Court Liaison Office: Passed 34-1
SB23-230 County Assistance For 23rd Judicial District: Passed 30-5
SB23-231 Amend Fund To Allow Payment Overdue Wage Claims: Passed 26-9
SB23-232 Unemployment Insurance Premiums Allocation Federal Law: Laid over to 4/3
SB23-233 Employment Services Funded By Wagner-Peyser Act: Passed 33-2
SB23-234 State Employee Insurance Premiums: Passed 35-0
SB23-235 Department Of Law Funds For Unanticipated State Legal Needs: Passed 35-0
SB23-236 Electric Vehicle Service Equipment Fund: Passed 31-4
SB23-237 Transfer To Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund: Passed 35-0
SB23-238 Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grant Fund: Passed 34-1
SB23-239 Hazardous Site Response Fund Transfer: Passed 33-2
SB23-240 CDPHE Dairy Plant Fees: Passed 33-2
SB23-241 Creation Of Office Of School Safety: Passed 35-0
SB23-242 Community Corrections Financial Audit: Passed 33-2
SB23-243 General Fund Transfers To Capital Construction Fund: Passed 33-2
SB23-244 Technology Accessibility Cleanup: Passed 34-1
SB23-245 Transfer To Revenue Loss Restoration Cash Fund: Passed 33-2
SB23-246 State Emergency Reserve: Passed 35-0
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Senate bill to fully fund special education passes: Even we dedicated much of last week on debating the budget, we still had other bills make their way through the process, including SB23-099 on Special Education Funding. I have been working on trying to close the gap for Tier B SPED funding for several years. We are currently funding 74% of the State's obligation, until we pass SB23-099, which will close the gap completely. The bill passed through the Senate Education Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, and now the Senate on Second Reading, unanimously! I fully expect the bill to pass the full Senate on Monday. |
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Legislative Town Hall Meeting: Mental Health
Mark your calendars now for next month's town hall meeting. Please plan to join us on Saturday, April 15 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Indian Tree Golf Course Clubhouse, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003. The topic for April will be mental health. For more information, click HERE. |
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Below is a list of bills that I am sponsoring that have been introduced and are awaiting action from either the House or Senate. For a full list of bills, click HERE. |
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NEW! HB23-1263 Translating Individualized Education Programs: Concerning translating individualized education programs for children who may be eligible for special education services. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Education Committee.
NEW! HB23-1276 Scope Of Bridge And Tunnel Enterprise: Concerning the bridge and tunnel enterprise, and, in connection therewith, expanding the scope of the enterprise's powers to include the completion of preventative maintenance bridge projects and allowing the enterprise to repair, reconstruct, replace, and maintain a fair-rated bridge under certain circumstances. The bill was introduced and assigned to the House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee.
NEW! SB23-214 2023-24 Long Bill: Concerning the provision for payment of the expenses of the executive, legislative, and judicial departments of the state of Colorado, and of its agencies and institutions, for and during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, except as otherwise noted. The bill passed through the Senate and now heads to the House.
SB23-099 Special Education Funding: Concerning funding for special education services. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate on Second Reading.
SB23-110 Transparency For Metropolitan Districts: Concerning transparency for metropolitan districts. The bill passed out of the House and now heads to the Governor for his signature.
HB23-1061 Alcohol Beverage Retail Establishment Permit: Concerning permitting a retail establishment to serve complementary alcohol beverages at a place of business. The bill will be heard in the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee on Thursday, April 6 upon adjournment.
HB23-1089 Special Education Services For Students In Foster Care: Concerning the continuation of special education services for a student in foster care when the student moves. The bill will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, April 5 at 1:30 pm.
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In an effort to be transparent and accessible, here are the events and meetings that I have attended in the last week as your state senator: |
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- Met with members of the Colorado Forum
- Senate Appropriations Committee met
- Hosted students from Lincoln Academy
- Presented a Tribute in recognition of Intellectual and Developmentally Disabled Awareness Day at the Capitol
- Presented SB23-214 Colorado State Budget in a public caucus
- Presented and passed 32 orbital bills to the Colorado State Budget
- Attended the United Veterans Coalition of Colorado legislator breakfast
- Presented and passed SB23-214 Colorado State Budget out of the Senate
- Hosted students from Regis University for their day at the Capitol
- Met with advocates from the Young Invincibles
- Presented and passed SB23-099 on Special Education Funding on Second Reading
- Listened to a performance by Hazel Miller, who sang "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Shine a Light"
- Listened to a Tribute to honor of Victims of Military Sexual Assault
- Presented a Tribute recognizing Education Commissioner Dr. Kay Anthes and her years of service to the state
- Presented a Tribute recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility
- Attended the Colorado Democratic Party Obama Gala
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About Senator Rachel Zenzinger |
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Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) was re-elected to a second term in the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19 (Arvada & Westminster) in November 2020. Previously she served on the Arvada City Council. Senator Zenzinger is the Chair of the Joint Budget Committee and Vice Chair of Senate Appropriations.
200 East Colfax, Denver, CO 80203 | SenatorRachelZ@gmail.com
303-866-4840 office | 303-748-0770 cell
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