summary
Introduced
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
In Committee
02/05/2025
02/05/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/04/2025
03/04/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Sections 1 and 2 of the bill prohibit a state agency from imposing a personal qualification requirement in order to engage in a profession or occupation unless the agency can show that the requirement is demonstrably necessary and narrowly tailored to address a specific, legitimate public health, safety, or welfare objective. On or before July 1, 2026, every agency must review occupational regulations and determine whether the regulation should be repealed or amended. Any person may file a petition with an agency requesting that an occupational regulation be repealed or amended. Regardless of whether a petition is filed with an agency, any person may file a civil suit requesting that the court enjoin the adoption or enforcement of an occupational regulation. When an agency files a notice of proposed rule-making with the secretary of state, if the proposed rule-making includes a proposed occupational regulation, the agency must also submit a statement to the secretary of state describing how the proposed occupational regulation complies with the bill's requirements. Section 3 repeals the industrial and manufacturing operations clean air grant program, the cannabis resource optimization cash fund, the community access to electric bicycles grant program, and the electrifying school buses grant program, which were enacted in 2022 by Senate Bill 22-193. Section 4 repeals the energy code board and its associated model codes, an energy code training grant program, the building electrification for public buildings grant program, the high-efficiency electric heating and appliances grant program, and the clean air building investments fund, which were enacted in 2022 by House Bill 22-1362. Section 5 repeals the air quality enterprise, which was enacted in by Senate Bill 20-204. Section 6 repeals the environmental response surcharge, the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances cash fund, the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances grant program, the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances take-back program, and certain civil penalties for violations of certain air quality control regulations, which were enacted in 2020 by Senate Bill 20-218. Section 7 repeals certain requirements, including requirements regarding fenceline monitoring and community-based monitoring of air toxics, for covered facilities, which requirements were enacted in 2021 by House Bill 21-1189. Sections 8 through 20 make necessary conforming amendments.
AI Summary
This bill introduces the "Colorado Right to Earn a Living Act," a comprehensive measure aimed at reducing regulatory barriers to professional and occupational entry. The bill requires state agencies to review all occupational regulations by July 1, 2026, and ensure that any personal qualification requirements are demonstrably necessary and narrowly tailored to address specific public health, safety, or welfare objectives. Agencies must now submit statements explaining how proposed occupational regulations meet these standards when filing rule-making notices. The bill provides individuals with the right to petition agencies to repeal or amend occupational regulations and allows civil actions challenging regulations that impose unnecessary burdens on entering a profession. Additionally, the bill repeals several existing grant programs and initiatives related to energy, air quality, and environmental regulations, effectively streamlining state regulatory frameworks. Importantly, the bill defines "welfare" narrowly, emphasizing protection against actual public harm rather than protecting specific industries from market competition. The legislation aims to promote economic mobility by reducing arbitrary regulatory obstacles and ensuring that professional entry requirements serve genuine public interests.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (13)
Mark Baisley (R)*,
Scott Bright (R)*,
John Carson (R)*,
Marc Catlin (R)*,
Lisa Frizell (R)*,
Rebecca Keltie (R)*,
Barbara Kirkmeyer (R)*,
Larry Liston (R)*,
Paul Lundeen (R)*,
Byron Pelton (R)*,
Rod Pelton (R)*,
Janice Rich (R)*,
Cleave Simpson (R)*,
Last Action
Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Postpone Indefinitely (on 03/04/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-156 |
| Fiscal Note FN2 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_sb156_f1.pdf |
| Fiscal Note FN1 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_sb156_00.pdf |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/2025a_156_01.pdf |
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