After being vetoed last session, the government right of first refusal bill has been reintroduced with modifications. Following concerns from opposition to House Bill 23-1190, Gov. Jared Polis on June 6 vetoed the original act. The veto came after lawmakers discussed and amended the bill over the course of three months.
The newly introduced version of the bill creates two property rights for local governments to certain types of multifamily rental properties including a right of first refusal and a right of first offer. The right of first offer, according to the bill, is temporary and terminates on Dec. 31, 2029. The stated goal of the bill is to encourage the creation of long-term affordable housing.
Other bills introduced this past week include one that would regulate the use of deepfakes produced using generative artificial intelligence in communications about candidates for elective office. Another bill would repeal state immigration laws that prohibit a person from being arrested while they’re in a courthouse, or a probation officer from providing personal information about an individual to federal immigration authorities, among others.
Bill Number: HB24-1118
Title: Authority of Attorney General to Operate District Attorney’s Office
Introduced: Jan. 26
Sponsors: B. Marshall, J. Joseph, D. Roberts, B. Gardner
Summary: The attorney general is authorized to appear for the state and prosecute and defend all actions and proceedings, civil and criminal, in which the state is a party or is interested when required to do so by the governor. In these circumstances, the bill also allows the attorney general to expend funds, manage staff and perform other administrative functions essential for the operation of a district attorney’s office.
Bill Number: HB24-1125
Title: Tax Credit Commercial Building Conversion
Introduced: Jan. 29
Sponsors: A. Valdez, M. Soper, K. Priola, J. Bridges
Summary: The bill creates a new refundable tax credit to be claimed in tax years commencing on or after Jan. 1, 2026, and before Jan. 1, 2036. The credit may be claimed for certain costs related to the conversion of a commercial structure to a residential structure.
Bill Number: HB24-1126
Title: Substance Use Disorder Treatment as Bond Condition
Introduced: Jan. 29
Sponsors: M. Lynch, B. Pelton
Summary: Among other provisions, the bill permits a court to order a person to complete a medical evaluation if the court suspects a substance use disorder contributed to the behavior giving rise to an offense for which the person was charged. The medical evaluation must determine if the person would benefit from a medically guided treatment plan for a substance use disorder, among other provisions.
Bill Number: HB24-1127
Title: Truth in Sentencing Parole Violent Offenses
Introduced: Jan. 29
Sponsors: M. Lynch, M. Baisley, P. Will
Summary: The bill requires an offender sentenced for certain violent crimes committed on or after July 1, 2024, to serve at least 85% of the imposed sentence before the offender is eligible for parole.
Bill Number: HB24-1128
Title: Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law
Introduced: Jan. 29
Sponsors: R. Holtorf, M. Baisley
Summary: Senate Bill 06-090 was repealed in 2013. This bill recreates and reenacts the 2006 bill. Current law prohibits a person from being arrested while the person is present at a courthouse, or while going to, attending, or coming from a court proceeding and provides remedies for a violation; a probation officer or probation department employee from providing personal information about an individual to federal immigration authorities; and state and local governmental entities from contracting with a private entity for immigration detention services or entering into agreements for immigration detention services. The bill repeals each of these laws.
Bill Number: HB24-1140
Title: Workers’ Comp for Complex Trauma
Introduced: Jan. 29
Sponsors: R. Weinberg
Summary: For the purpose of determining eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for a mental impairment caused by an accidental injury that consists of a psychologically traumatic event arising out of and sustained in the course of employment, the bill establishes that a worker who, while working, experiences complex trauma that causes posttraumatic stress disorder is experiencing a psychologically traumatic event.
Bill Number: HB24-1147
Title: Candidate Election Deepfake Disclosures
Introduced: Jan. 29
Sponsors: J. Joseph, B. Titone, C. Hansen, J. Buckner
Summary: The bill creates a statutory scheme to regulate the use of deepfakes produced using generative artificial intelligence in communications about candidates for elective office. Sections 1 and 2 of the bill expand the existing authority of an administrative hearing officer under the Fair Campaign Practices Act to impose civil penalties for distribution of a communication that includes a deepfake related to a candidate for elective office, among other provisions.
Bill Number: HB24-1175
Title: Local Goverments Rights to Property for Affordable Housing
Introduced: Jan. 31
Sponsors: A. Boesenecker, E. Sirota, F. Winter, S. Jaquez Lewis
Summary: The bill creates two property rights for local governments to certain types of multifamily rental properties: A right of first refusal and a right of first offer. The right of first offer is temporary and terminates on Dec. 31, 2029. For multifamily rental properties that are existing affordable housing, a local government has a right of first refusal to match an acceptable offer for the purchase of such property, subject to the local government’s commitment to using the property as long-term affordable housing.
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