The 2020 General Assembly convened for the 2020 legislative session on January 8^th and the legislature hit the ground running. There have already been over 450 bills introduced thus far, and there still are more to come—especially one of the most anticipated bills to be introduced, Paid Family and Medical Leave.

To date, there haven’t been as many “big-ticket items” introduced this year, as it is an election year. But that doesn’t mean there has been a shortage of controversial bills.

Legislation introduced thus far covers many topics, including employee rights, pesticides, simplification of sales tax, arbitration, and construction defects.

Legislation that is expected to be introduced during this session will include the following issues:

• Local preemption on pesticides, which would allow local governments to ban certain pesticides. Coloradans for Responsible Pesticide Application, CPRA, has been working on all pesticide matters as well as leading the coalition on all legislation that has been introduced thus far. As these bills get scheduled in committee, landscape industry members are urged to come to the Capitol and testify.
• Paid family and medical leave is going to look much different from years past and will mandate employers to provide paid family and medical leave benefits through an insurance product to their employees. We expect this bill to be introduced in the next few weeks.
• Transportation funding continues to be a huge issue in the legislature. Over the past few years ballot initiatives have failed to be approved by the voters to address long-term funding for transportation infrastructure. A coalition has begun to meet made up of the legislature, the executive branch, and many other stakeholders to try and come up with a legislative long-term solution. No word on when it will be introduced.

Current legislation being tracked:

HB20-1022 Sales And Use Tax Simplification Task Force: Concerning the sales and use tax simplification task force, and, in connection therewith, extending the task force, modifying the task force's duties, and removing the requirement that the task force undergo an evaluation by the department of regulatory agencies prior to the task force's repeal.

HB20-1023 State Address Data for Sales and Use Tax Collection: Concerning certain address database systems used for sales and use tax collection.

HB20-1089 Employee Protection Lawful Off-duty Activities [FAILED IN COMMITTEE 2/19/20—POSTPONED INDEFINITELY]: Concerning clarification that the prohibition on an employer terminating an employee for the employee's lawful off-duty activities extends to activities that are lawful under state law even if those activities are not lawful under federal law.

HB20-1180 Protect Pollinators through Pesticide Regulation: Concerning the protection of pollinators by restricting the use of certain pesticides. This bill will be heard in the House Energy and Environment Committee on March 5^th.

SB20-80 Consumer Protection Act Damages: Concerning amending the "Colorado Consumer Protection Act" to increase the damages for which a plaintiff is eligible.

SB20-101 Investigation Process for Pesticide Applicators: Concerning the procedural requirements resulting from the initiation of an investigation of a pesticide applicator.

SB20-138 Consumer Protection Construction Defect Time Period: Concerning increased consumer protection for homeowners seeking relief for construction defects from 6 years to 10 years.  

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
Test prep seminar offered for certified pesticide applicator exam
OSHA revises national emphasis program for silica dust exposure
Students return to ProGreen for High School Day
Landscape Career Pathways program recognized by teachers' association