SENATE BILL 23-005
BY SENATOR(S) Jaquez Lewis and Cutter, Ginal, Simpson, Danielson,
Buckner, Exum, Fields, Hansen, Hinrichsen, Marchman, Moreno, Priola,
Roberts, Rodriguez, Sullivan, Will, Winter F., Fenberg;
also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Lynch and Snyder, Story, Amabile, Bird,
Brown, Dickson, Duran, English, Froelich, Hamrick, Jodeh, Joseph, Lieder,
Lindsay, Lukens, McLachlan, Michaelson Jenet, Titone, Valdez, Velasco,
Weinberg, Willford, Young, McCluskie.
C
ONCERNING MEASURES TO EXPAND THE FORESTRY WORKFORCE , AND, IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH
, DIRECTING THE COLORADO STATE FOREST
SERVICE TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS ABOUT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN FORESTRY AND
WILDFIRE MITIGATION
; CREATING A TIMBER, FOREST HEALTH, AND
WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM TO HELP FUND INTERNSHIPS IN THOSE I NDUSTRIES
;
ALLOCATING GENERAL FUND MONEY TO THE WILDFIRE MITIGATION
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FUND
; AUTHORIZING THE EXPANSION AND
CREATION OF FORESTRY PROGRAMS
; DIRECTING THE STATE BOARD
FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION TO
ADMINISTER A PROGRAM TO RECRUIT WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION
AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS
; AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION .
NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signatures of the appropriate legislative
officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
history, or the Session Laws.
________
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material added to existing law; dashes
through words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law and such material is not part of
the act. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-31-313, add (9.2)
as follows:
23-31-313. Healthy forests - vibrant communities - funds created
- outreach working group - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.
(9.2) Outreach to high school students. T
HE FOREST SERVICE, IN
CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
, THE
DIVISION OF FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
SAFETY
, THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OCCUPATI ONAL
EDUCATION
, AND TIMBER INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES , SHALL DEVELOP
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS RELATING TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN
FORESTRY AND WILDFIRE RISK MITIGATION TO DISTRIBUTE TO HIGH SCHOOL
GUIDANCE COUNSELORS TO PROVIDE TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
.
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-31-320 as
follows:
23-31-320. Timber, forest health, and wildfire mitigation
industries workforce development program - creation - policies and
procedures - legislative declaration - definitions. (1) T
HE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY FINDS
, DETERMINES, AND DECLARES THAT:
(a) F
INDING QUALIFIED AND TRAINED EMPLOYEES IS A SIGNIFICANT
CHALLENGE FOR THE STATE
'S TIMBER, FOREST HEALTH, AND WILDFIRE
MITIGATION INDUSTRIES
, AND IT IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE
TRAINING TO AND OPPORTUNITIES TO GAIN EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNGER
WORKERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BEGINNING CAREERS IN THE TIMBER
,
FOREST HEALTH, AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES;
(b) T
HE BARRIERS TO ENTRY FOR YOUNGER WORKERS WHO ARE
INTERESTED IN BEGINNING A CAREER IN THE TIMBER
, FOREST HEALTH, AND
WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES ARE SIGNIFICANT
, INCLUDING ACCESS TO
TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE REAL
-WORLD WORK EXPERIENCE ;
(c) I
NTERNSHIPS ARE A RECOGNIZED WAY TO BUILD A TALENT
PIPELINE AND CAREER PATHWAY TO ALIGN EDUCATION
, TRAINING, AND
WORK
-BASED LEARNING; AND
PAGE 2-SENATE BILL 23-005 (d) BY OFFERING INCENTIVES TO TIMBER BUSINESSES AND FOREST
HEALTH AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITIES TO CREATE INTERNSHIPS
,
THERE WILL BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO OBTAIN WORK
EXPERIENCE WITH TIMBER BUSINESSES OR WITH FOREST HEALTH OR
WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITIES
.
(2) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION:
(a) "F
OREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY " MEANS A
FOR
-PROFIT OR NONPROFIT ENTITY LOCATED OR OPERATING IN COLORADO
THAT ENGAGES IN OR FOCUSES RESOURCES ON FOREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE
MITIGATION ACTIVITIES
, INCLUDING PRESCRIBED BURNING AS DEFINED IN
SECTION
24-33.5-1202, OR OTHER SCIENCE-BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
.
(b) "F
OREST SERVICE" MEANS THE COLORADO STATE FOREST
SERVICE IDENTIFIED IN SECTION
23-31-302 AND THE DIVISION OF FORESTRY
CREATED IN SECTION
24-33-104.
(c) "P
ROGRAM" MEANS THE TIMBER, FOREST HEALTH, AND WILDFIRE
MITIGATION INDUSTRIES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM CREATED IN
SUBSECTION
(3) OF THIS SECTION.
(d) "T
IMBER BUSINESS" MEANS A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS ENTITY
INCORPORATED OR LOCATED IN
COLORADO THAT ENGAGES IN OR FOCUSES
RESOURCES ON FORESTRY
; LOGGING; THE TIMBER TRADE ; OR THE
PRODUCTION OF WOOD PRODUCTS
, SUCH AS FURNITURE OR SECONDARY
PRODUCTS
, INCLUDING WOOD PULP FOR THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY .
(3) T
HE TIMBER, FOREST HEALTH, AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION
INDUSTRIES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IS HEREBY CREATED IN
THE FOREST SERVICE TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO TIMBER BUSINESSES AND
FOREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITIES TO HIRE INTERNS
THROUGH PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT OF THE COSTS TO SUCH BUSINESSES AND
ENTITIES FOR HIRING AND EMPLOYING INTERNS
. NOT LATER THAN JANUARY
1, 2024, THE FOREST SERVICE SHALL ADOPT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR
ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM
. THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MUST
SPECIFY
, AT A MINIMUM:
(a) T
HE CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST
PAGE 3-SENATE BILL 23-005 HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE
PROGRAM
, INCLUDING THE ABILITY OF THE BUSINESS OR ENTITY TO
EFFECTIVELY SUPERVISE AN INTERN AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN INTERN
TO GAIN MEANINGFUL WORK EXPERIENCE
;
(b) T
HE CRITERIA FOR AN INTERNSHIP TO QUALIFY UNDER THE
PROGRAM
, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
(I) T
HAT THE INTERNSHIP MUST PROVIDE AN INTERN AT LEAST ONE
HUNDRED THIRTY HOURS OF WORK EXPERIENCE
; AND
(II) THAT THE INTERNSHIP CANNOT EXCEED SIX MONTHS IN
DURATION PER INTERN
;
(c) B
EST PRACTICES FOR A TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH OR
WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY TO USE IN RECRUITING AND SELECTING
INTERNS TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERNSHIPS WHO REPRESENT HISTORICALLY
UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES IN THE TIMBER
, FOREST HEALTH, AND
WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES
. IN DEVELOPING BEST PRACTICES, THE
FOREST SERVICE SHALL SPECIFICALLY CONSIDER HOW TO EXTEND
OPPORTUNITIES TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ACQUIRED EXPERIENCE IN
WILDLAND FIRE SERVICES THROUGH THE INMATE DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM
CREATED IN SECTION
17-24-124 (3).
(d) T
HE CRITERIA FOR A TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH OR
WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY TO USE IN SELECTING INTERNS TO PARTICIPATE
IN ITS INTERNSHIP
, INCLUDING THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED OF
AN INTERN AND THE ABILITY OF THE INTERN TO PERFORM MEANINGFUL
WORK FOR THE BUSINESS OR ENTITY
;
(e) T
HE PROCESS AND TIMELINE FOR SELECTING TIMBER BUSINESSES
AND FOREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN
THE PROGRAM AND FOR PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES AND ENTITIES TO SELECT
INTERNS TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR INTERNSHIPS
;
(f) T
HE ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS FOR TRACKING INTERNSHIP
COSTS
; AND
(g) THE PROCESS A TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH OR
WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY MUST USE WHEN APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM
PAGE 4-SENATE BILL 23-005 FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR A PORTION OF ITS COSTS INCURRED IN EMPLOYING
AN INTERN
.
(4) S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , THE FOREST SERVICE
MAY REIMBURSE A PARTICIPATING TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH OR
WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED FIFTY PERCENT
OF THE ACTUAL COST TO THE BUSINESS OR ENTITY TO EMPLOY AN INTERN
.
T
HE ACTUAL COST INCLUDES THE WAGES PAID TO THE INTERN , A
REASONABLE ALLOCATION OF FIXED OVERHEAD EXPENSES
, AND ALL
INCIDENTAL COSTS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE INTERNSHIP
. BASED ON THE
ANNUAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE PROGRAM
, THE FOREST SERVICE SHALL
DETERMINE HOW MANY INTERNSHIPS MAY BE APPROVED
, THE AMOUNT OF
REIMBURSEMENT PER INTERNSHIP
, AND WHETHER A TIMBER BUSINESS OR
FOREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR
MORE THAN ONE INTERN IN A SINGLE STATE FISCAL YEAR
. HOWEVER, A
TIMBER BUSINESS OR FOREST HEALTH OR WILDFIRE MITIGATION ENTITY
SHALL NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR MORE THAN THREE INTERNSHIPS IN A SINGLE
STATE FISCAL YEAR
.
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-33-117, add (6.2)
as follows:
24-33-117. Wildfire mitigation capacity development fund -
established - financing - legislative intent - repeal. (6.2) O
N JUNE 30,
2023,
AND ON JUNE 30 EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, THE STATE TREASURER
SHALL TRANSFER ONE MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE
WILDFIRE MITIGATION CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FUND
. THE MONEY
TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THIS SUBSECTION
(6.2) MUST BE USED FOR
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION
(3) OF THIS SECTION.
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-18-308, amend (2);
and add (1)(k) as follows:
23-18-308. Fee-for-service contracts - grants to local district
colleges - limited purpose - repeal. (1) Subject to available
appropriations, the department shall enter into fee-for-service contracts for
the following purposes:
(k) T
HE RECRUITMENT OF WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND
MITIGATION EDUCATORS PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION
23-81-102.
PAGE 5-SENATE BILL 23-005 (2) Notwithstanding any provision of this part 3 to the contrary, the
amount of a fee-for-service contract entered into OR GRANT pursuant to this
section is not included in the calculation of "total state appropriation" or
"total governing board appropriation" made pursuant to this part 3.
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-1-142 as
follows:
23-1-142. Commission directive - expansion of forestry and
wildfire mitigation degree and certificate programs - simulator -
legislative declaration - definitions - repeal. (1) (a) T
HE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT
:
(I) C
OLORADO COMMUNITIES AND FORESTS HAVE SUFFERED
SIGNIFICANT LOSSES DUE TO THE INCREASING NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF
WILDFIRE EVENTS
; AND
(II) COLORADO LACKS SUFFICIENT UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AND
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS IN FORESTRY
, INCLUDING WILDFIRE MITIGATION, TO
MEET THE SIGNIFICANT WORKFORCE NEEDS OF THE STATE
.
(b) T
HEREFORE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT IS NECESSARY TO EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMS
AND CREATE ADDITIONAL UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE
PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE IN FORESTRY
, INCLUDING WILDFIRE
MITIGATION
, TO PROVIDE A VITAL WORKFORCE FOR COLORADO AND TO KEEP
THE STATE
'S FORESTS AND COMMUNITIES HEALTHY AND SAFE .
(2) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE
REQUIRES
:
(a) "F
ORESTRY PROGRAM" MEANS AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE OR
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM THAT WILL MEET FORESTRY WORKFORCE NEEDS
,
INCLUDING FOREST HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION .
(b) "P
UBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION " MEANS A STATE
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AS IDENTIFIED IN SECTION
23-18-102
(10)(a),
A LOCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE, OR AN AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE.
(c) "S
IMULATOR" MEANS A HARVESTING SIMULATOR USED TO TRAIN
PAGE 6-SENATE BILL 23-005 STUDENTS IN OPERATIONS RELATING TO FOREST MANAGEMENT .
(3) (a) S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS , THE COMMISSION
MAY APPROVE THE EXPANSION OF EXISTING FORESTRY PROGRAMS AND THE
CREATION OF NEW FORESTRY PROGRAMS AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
. THE INITIAL COST FOR THE CREATION AND EXPANSION OF
FORESTRY PROGRAMS MAY BE FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS APPROVED BY THE
COMMISSION
. THE DEPARTMENT MAY USE MONEY APPROPRIATED FOR THE
2023-24 AND 2024-25 STATE FISCAL YEARS FOR GRANTS PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION
.
(b) T
HE GRANT MAY BE USED FOR:
(I) P
ROGRAM DESIGN AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES NECESSARY
TO EXPAND OR CREATE THE FORESTRY PROGRAMS
;
(II) T
HE ACQUISITION OF A SIMULATOR FOR THE FORESTRY PROGRAM
ONCE THE PROGRAM IS ESTABLISHED
, WHICH MAY BE SHARED WITH
FORESTRY PROGRAMS AT OTHER PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
; AND
(III) ANY OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPANDING EXISTING
FORESTRY PROGRAMS OR CREATING A NEW FORESTRY PROGRAM
.
(4) I
F MORE THAN ONE PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
WISHES TO EXPAND AN EXISTING FORESTRY PROGRAM OR CREATE A NEW
FORESTRY PROGRAM
, THE COMMISSION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
COLORADO STATE FOREST SERVICE , SHALL DETERMINE THE LOCATION OF
THE PROGRAMS
, PRIORITIZING PROGRAMS AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF
HIGHER EDUCATION THAT CAN PROVIDE A TRAINED WORKFORCE
EXPEDITIOUSLY
. IN ADDITION TO OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS , THE
COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER
:
(a) T
HE DISTRIBUTION OF FORESTRY PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE ;
(b) T
HE NEED FOR A FORESTRY WORKFORCE IN THE SURROUNDING
COMMUNITY OR REGION OF THE STATE
;
(c) T
HE PROJECTED STUDENT INTEREST IN THE FORESTRY PROGRAMS
AT THE COMPETING LOCATIONS
; AND
PAGE 7-SENATE BILL 23-005 (d) ACCESSIBILITY AND EQUITY.
(5) T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027.
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 81 to title
23 as follows:
ARTICLE 81
Wildland Fire Prevention and Mitigation Educators
23-81-101. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS ARTICLE 81, UNLESS THE
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES
:
(1) "A
REA TECHNICAL COLLEGE" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN
SECTION
23-60-103 (1).
(2) "B
OARD" MEANS THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES
AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION CREATED IN SECTION
23-60-104.
(3) "C
OMMITTEE" MEANS THE WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW
COMMITTEE CREATED IN SECTION
2-3-1602, OR ANY SUCCESSOR COMMITTEE .
(4) "C
OMMUNITY COLLEGE " MEANS A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DESCRIBED IN SECTION
23-60-205 THAT IS GOVERNED BY THE BOARD.
(5) "D
EPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION .
(6) "I
NSTITUTION" MEANS A COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AREA TECHNICAL
COLLEGE
, OR LOCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE.
(7) "L
OCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN
SECTION
23-71-102 (1).
(8) "P
ROGRAM" MEANS THE RECRUITMENT OF WILDLAND FIRE
PREVENTION AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN SECTION
23-81-102.
(9) "Q
UALIFIED WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION
EDUCATOR
" MEANS A PERSON WITH THE NECESSARY EXPERIENCE AND
EDUCATION
, AND WHO SATISFIES ALL REQUIREMENTS OF STATE AND
PAGE 8-SENATE BILL 23-005 FEDERAL LAW OR THE INSTITUTION'S POLICY, TO BE AN EDUCATOR AT THE
INSTITUTION
.
23-81-102. Recruitment of wildland fire prevention and
mitigation educators program - report - definition. (1) S
UBJECT TO
AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS
, THE BOARD SHALL ADMINISTER THE
RECRUITMENT OF WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS
PROGRAM TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE QUALIFIED WILDLAND
FIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS
.
(2) T
HE BOARD SHALL ALLOCATE GRANTS , PURSUANT TO SECTION
23-18-308 (1)(k), TO INSTITUTIONS THAT DELIVER A WILDLAND FIRE
PREVENTION AND MITIGATION DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OR
COURSE
. THE INSTITUTIONS MAY USE THE MONEY TO :
(a) P
ROVIDE THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS NECESSARY TO
ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND
MITIGATION EDUCATORS
; AND
(b) TRAIN PERSONS TO BECOME QUALIFIED WILDLAND FIRE
PREVENTION AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS
.
(3) (a) F
OR THE 2023-24 AND THE 2024-25 STATE FISCAL YEARS, THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL APPROPRIATE TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR
ALLOCATION BY THE BOARD FOR USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION
(2)
OF THIS SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE
GENERAL FUND IN EACH STATE FISCAL YEAR
, OF WHICH ONE PERCENT MAY
BE USED FOR ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM
. ANY AMOUNT OF THE
APPROPRIATION THAT IS UNENCUMBERED OR UNEXPENDED AT THE END OF
EITHER THE
2023-24 STATE FISCAL YEAR OR THE 2024-25 STATE FISCAL
YEAR
:
(I) D
OES NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANY OTHER FUND ;
(II) M
AY BE USED BY THE BOARD IN THE SUBSEQUENT STATE FISCAL
YEAR WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION
; AND
(III) MUST NOT BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THE
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION
.
PAGE 9-SENATE BILL 23-005 (b) IN ADDITION TO THE APPROPRIATION IN THIS SECTION, THE BOARD
MAY SEEK
, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS FROM
PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PROGRAM
.
(4) O
N OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2024, AND ON OR BEFORE JANUARY
1 OF EACH YEAR THEREAFTER IN WHICH THE COMMITTEE MEETS , THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE A SUMMARIZED REPORT REGARDING THE
PROGRAM TO THE COMMITTEE
. NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-1-136
(11)(a)(I),
THE REPORTING REQUIREMENT IN THIS SUBSECTION (4)
CONTINUES INDEFINITELY.
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-3.3-103, amend (5);
and add (12), (13), and (14) as follows:
23-3.3-103. Annual appropriations - repeal. (5) The provisions
of subsection (1) of this section concerning appropriations for student
financial assistance under this article 3.3 shall not apply to appropriations
made to the forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation grant program
cash fund created in section 23-31-301 (8.5)(a)
OR THE HEALTHY FORESTS
AND VIBRANT COMMUNITIES FUND CREATED IN SECTION
23-31-313 (10).
(12) T
HE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION
CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER
THIS ARTICLE
3.3 SHALL NOT APPLY TO APPROPRIATIONS MADE FOR THE
TIMBER
, FOREST HEALTH , AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION INDUSTRIES
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION
23-31-320.
(13) (a) T
HE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION
CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER
THIS ARTICLE
3.3 SHALL NOT APPLY TO APPROPRIATIONS MADE FOR THE
EXPANSION OF FORESTRY AND WILDFIRE MITIGATION DEGREE AND
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS PURSUANT TO SECTION
23-1-142.
(b) T
HIS SUBSECTION (13) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027.
(14) T
HE PROVISIONS OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION
CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER
THIS ARTICLE
3.3 SHALL NOT APPLY TO APPROPRIATIONS MADE FOR THE
RECRUITMENT OF WILDLAND FIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION EDUCATORS
PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION
23-81-102.
PAGE 10-SENATE BILL 23-005 SECTION 8. Appropriation. (1) For the 2023-24 state fiscal year,
$15,000 is appropriated to the healthy forests and vibrant communities fund
created in section 23-31-313 (10), C.R.S. This appropriation is from the
general fund. The department of higher education is responsible for the
accounting related to this appropriation.
(2) For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $1,545,034 is appropriated to
the department of higher education. This appropriation is from the general
fund. To implement this act, the department may use this appropriation as
follows:
(a) $114,384 for the Colorado state forest service at Colorado state
university
(b) $1,180,650 for use by the Colorado commission on higher
education for new and expanded forestry programs; and
(c) $250,000 for the college opportunity fund program to be used for
limited purpose fee-for-service contracts with state institutions.
(3) For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $250,000 is appropriated to the
department of higher education. This appropriation is from reappropriated
funds received from the limited purpose fee-for-service contracts with state
institutions under subsection (2)(c) of this section. To implement this act,
the department may use this appropriation for the state board for community
colleges and occupational education state system colleges.
SECTION 9. Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
PAGE 11-SENATE BILL 23-005 determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety.
____________________________ ____________________________
Steve Fenberg Julie McCluskie
PRESIDENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES
____________________________ ____________________________
Cindi L. Markwell Robin Jones
SECRETARY OF CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APPROVED________________________________________
(Date and Time)
_________________________________________
Jared S. Polis
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
PAGE 12-SENATE BILL 23-005