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March 13, 2023 HB 23-1238
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 23-0747
Rep. Taggart; Lukens
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
March 13, 2023
House State Affairs
Josh Abram | 303-866-3561
josh.abram@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: PROTECTION FOR HELICOPTER SEARCH AND RESCUE
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☒ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☐ Local Government
☐ Statutory Public Entity
The bill extends civil immunity to individuals or organizations that assists local
governments with volunteer helicopter flights in search and rescue operations. The
bill may decrease state revenue and expenditures in the Judicial Department by a
minimal amount beginning FY 2023-24.
Appropriation
Summary:
No appropriation is required.
Fiscal Note
Status:
The fiscal note reflects the introduced bill.
Summary of Legislation
The bill extends immunity from civil liability for damage or injury to an individual, nonprofit
organization, for-profit corporation, private organization, or other person that voluntarily assists a
local government with use of a helicopter for search and rescue operations. Immunity is extended if
the organization or individual:
has an agreement to operate the helicopter on behalf of the governmental entity leading the search
and rescue operation;
employs or contracts with a licensed pilot;
meets certain safety and training requirements; and
is in compliance with all requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The bill also establishes criteria that pilots and helicopters used in search and rescue operations must
satisfy in order to qualify for immunity.
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March 13, 2023 HB 23-1238
State Revenue and Expenditures
The bill may reduce trial court activity and filing fee revenue in the Judicial Department. The bill
extends immunity from civil liability for damage or injury, except in cases of gross negligence or
willful misconduct, to individuals or organizations providing volunteer helicopter flights to local
governments engaged in search and rescue operations. Because the bill extends immunity from civil
liability, it potentially decreases civil cases; however, given the limited scope of the legislation, the
decrease is anticipated to be minimal and no change in appropriations is required.
Effective Date
The bill takes effect upon signature of the Governor, or upon becoming law without his signature.
State and Local Government Contacts
Counties Judicial Local Affairs
Natural Resources
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.