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April 11, 2023 HB 23-1280
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Revised Fiscal Note
(replaces fiscal note dated April 10, 2023)
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 23-0947
Rep. Joseph; Soper
Sen. Roberts; Gardner
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
April 11, 2023
House Judiciary
Aaron Carpenter | 303-866-4918
aaron.carpenter@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: COLORADO ACCESS TO JUSTICE COMMISSION
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☒ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☐ Local Government
☐ Statutory Public Entity
The bill codifies the authority and duties of the Colorado Access to Justice
Commission. Starting in FY 2023-24, the bill will increase state revenue and
expenditures.
Appropriation
Summary:
No appropriation is required as the Colorado Access to Justice Cash Fund is
continuously appropriated to the commission.
Fiscal Note
Status:
This fiscal note reflects the introduced bill. It has been revised to reflect new
assumptions about how the commission will operate under the bill.
Summary of Legislation
The bill codifies the Colorado Access to Justice Commission into state law. The commission is charged
with expanding access, quality, and fairness in the justice system. The bill outlines the number of
members on the commission and the appointing authorities, and that members serve without
compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses. The commission may hire
staff, and is required to prepare and submit an annual report on its work to the General Assembly.
Finally, the bill creates the Colorado Access to Justice Cash Fund to consist of money appropriated by
the General Assembly and any gifts, grants, or donations; money in the fund is continuously
appropriated to the commission.
Background
The Colorado Access to Justice Commission is currently a nonprofit organization that advocates for
policy changes to help Coloradans resolve legal issues. More information about the commission can
be found here.
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April 11, 2023 HB 23-1280
Assumptions
The fiscal note assumes that the commission codified by this bill will operate separately from the
nonprofit, and will only meet to make recommendations and draft a report.
State Revenue
To the extent the commission created under the bill receives gifts, grants, and donations, state revenue
will increase. The amount of money that will be collected through gifts, grants, and donations is
unknown. Revenue from gift, grants, and donations is not subject to the state’s TABOR limit.
State Expenditures
Starting in FY 2023-24, the bill may increase state cash fund expenditures in the commission and will
increase workload in the Judicial Department and the Governor’s Office, as described below. As
discussed in the Assumptions section, the fiscal note assumes any commission costs will be funded
by gifts, grants, and donations.
Colorado Access to Justice Commission. State cash fund expenditures may increase to expend the
donations. In addition, workload for the commission will increase to the meet and create
recommendations. The fiscal note assumes no appropriation is required to complete this work.
Judicial Department. The bill will increase workload to the Judicial Department to administer the
newly created cash fund and to pay the commission’s invoices, to the extent the commission receives
gifts, grants, and donations. This work can be accomplished within existing appropriations.
Governor’s Office. The Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions will make the required
appointments under the bill. This work is assumed to be minimal and can be accomplished within
existing appropriations.
Effective Date
The bill takes effect 90 days following adjournment of the General Assembly sine die, assuming no
referendum petition is filed.
State Appropriations
The newly created Colorado Access to Justice Cash Fund is continuously appropriated to the Colorado
Access to Justice Commission; therefore, no additional appropriation is required.
State and Local Government Contacts
Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions Judicial Law
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.