Page 1 April 10, 2023 HB 23-1206 Legislative Council Staff Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature Revised Fiscal Note (replaces fiscal note dated March 13, 2023) Drafting Number: Prime Sponsors: LLS 23-0436 Rep. Marshall Sen. Hinrichsen Date: Bill Status: Fiscal Analyst: April 10, 2023 Senate State Affairs Shukria Maktabi | 303-866-4720 shukria.maktabi@coleg.gov Bill Topic: COUNTY SHERIFFS & DISTRICT ATTORNEYS Summary of Fiscal Impact: ☒ State Revenue ☒ State Expenditure ☐ State Transfer ☐ TABOR Refund ☒ Local Government ☐ Statutory Public Entity The bill limits the political activities of employees of county sheriff offices. The bill minimally increases state workload, and may increase state revenue and local government workload beginning in FY 2023-24. Appropriation Summary: No appropriation is required. Fiscal Note Status: This revised fiscal note reflects the reengrossed bill. Summary of Legislation The bill limits the political activities of employees in county sheriff offices, including the county sheriff, when in uniform or using public property. The specific political activities that are prohibited are outlined in the bill and violators are subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 and may be dismissed from service. An individual may file an affidavit with the district attorney to report a violation and the district attorney will investigate and prosecute the violation. The Attorney General may also file and prosecute complaints under the bill. State Revenue State revenue may increase from fines, which are subject to TABOR, when employees in county sheriff offices fail to comply with the bill’s restrictions on political activity. The fiscal note assumes that employees will generally follow the law, and any fine revenue will be minimal. Page 2 April 10, 2023 HB 23-1206 State Expenditures The bill increases workload for the Attorney General to pursue complaints under the bill. It is assumed that the Department of Law will prioritize this work within existing resources. The bill also increases workload for the trial courts, as it is assumed that these cases would be handled through a civil action filed in court. The fiscal note assumes these impacts will be minimal as employees will generally follow the law. Local Government Beginning in FY 2024-25, workload may increase for county sheriff offices to notify staff of changes in policies and enforce regulations. This workload is expected to be minimal. District attorneys will have additional workload and costs to receive complaints, investigate, and prosecute violations under the bill. This will increase workload, and potentially costs should district attorneys need to hire investigators or to train or contract with attorneys to handle prosecutions. Effective Date The bill takes effect 90 days following adjournment of the General Assembly sine die, assuming no referendum petition is filed. State and Local Government Contacts County Clerks District Attorneys Judicial Law Personnel Secretary of State Sheriffs The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit: leg.colorado.gov/fiscalnotes.