Second Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 24-0465.01 Conrad Imel x2313
SENATE BILL 24-053
Senate Committees House Committees
State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING AN EVALUATION OF RACIAL EQUITY FOR BLACK101
C
OLORADANS.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
The bill requires the state historical society (society), commonly
known as history Colorado, to conduct a study to determine any historical
and ongoing effects of slavery and subsequent systemic racism on Black
Coloradans that may be attributed to Colorado state policies, and to
identify measures that are consistent with the constitution to address those
effects. The society may enter into an agreement with a third-party entity
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Coleman,
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Herod and Ricks,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. to conduct all or parts of the study. As part of the study, the society shall
conduct at least 2 public comment sessions for members of the public to
provide input to the society related to the study. The society is required
to submit a report to the general assembly and governor and make the
report available on a publicly accessible webpage of the society's website.
The bill establishes the Black Coloradan racial equity steering
committee (steering committee) to provide input to the society about the
study, including guidance about the research, economic analysis, and
recommendations. The steering committee also assists the society in
conducting the public comment sessions. The society shall provide the
steering committee with regular periodic updates about the status of the
study. The steering committee may submit to the society comments and
recommendations for inclusion in the society's report to the general
assembly and governor. After the study is completed, the steering
committee shall work as necessary to effectuate implementation of the
recommendations in the study report.
The bill is contingent upon the society receiving $100,000 of gifts,
grants, or donations for the purpose of conducting the study.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 24-80-218 as2
follows:3
24-80-218. Black Coloradan racial equity study - steering4
committee - notice to the revisor - funding - report - legislative5
declaration - definitions - repeal. (1) (a) T
HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY6
FINDS, DETERMINES, AND DECLARES THAT:7
(I) T
HE LEGACY OF SLAVERY , RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, AND8
SYSTEMIC RACISM HAS HARMED BLACK COLORADANS AND CONTINUES TO9
HARM BLACK COLORADANS IN MATERIAL WAYS . BLACK INDIVIDUALS AND10
COMMUNITIES, WHOSE UNPAID LABOR FORMED THE BASIS FOR WEALTH11
AND POWER IN THIS COUNTRY , ARE OWED THE OPPORTUNITY AND12
RESOURCES TO BUILD WEALTH AND POWER FOR THEMSELVES . LIKE MANY13
WESTERN STATES, COLORADO IS WIDELY PERCEIVED AS HISTORICALLY14
ABSTINENT FROM PARTICIPATING IN SLAVERY . HOWEVER, SLAVERY WAS15
SB24-053-2- ONLY FULLY ABOLISHED IN THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION IN 2018.1
(II) C
OLORADO DEMONSTRATES A TRACK RECORD OF RACIAL2
DISCRIMINATION, RESULTING DIRECTLY IN RACIAL DISPARITIES. THE KU3
K
LUX KLAN WIELDED GREAT INFLUENCE AND POWER IN DENVER AND IN4
STATE POLITICS IN THE 1920S. MAJOR COLORADO TOWNS SUCH AS5
D
ENVER, GRAND JUNCTION, PUEBLO, AND CANON CITY WERE HOTBEDS6
OF KLAN ACTIVITY. THE KLAN IN COLORADO PEAKED IN 1925. BY THIS7
TIME, IT HAD INFILTRATED ALL LEVELS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT . THE8
K
LAN CONTROLLED MANY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE , HELD A STATE9
SUPREME COURT JUDGESHIP AND SEVEN DENVER DISTRICT COURT10
BENCHES, AND HAD CONTROLLING MAJORITIES IN SOME TOWN COUNCILS .11
S
OME OF THE MOST NOTABLE KLANSMEN AT THE TIME INCLUDED THE12
MAYOR AND POLICE CHIEF OF DENVER AND THE GOVERNOR OF COLORADO.13
(III) T
HE IMPACT OF THOSE IN POWER TRANSPIRES INTO POLICIES ,14
SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES ADOPTED AT THE STATE LEVEL . THOSE POLICIES,15
SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES ARE BUILT UPON OVER DECADES AND FURTHER16
INGRAIN INEQUITIES THAT HAVE A DISPARATE IMPACT ON BLACK17
C
OLORADANS.18
(IV) I
N 2020, THE HOME OWNERSHIP GAP BETWEEN BLACK AND19
W
HITE COLORADANS WAS THIRTY -ONE PERCENT. JUST TWENTY-FIVE20
PERCENT OF ADULT BLACK COLORADANS HAVE EARNED A21
POSTSECONDARY DEGREE OR CREDENTIAL , WHILE NINETY-ONE AND22
FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT OF TIER ONE JOBS IDENTIFIED IN THE COLORADO23
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 'S 2022 TALENT PIPELINE REPORT AND24
SEVENTY AND FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT OF TIER TWO JOBS REQUIRE A25
POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIAL . IN COLORADO, BLACK INDIVIDUALS26
CONSTITUTE FIVE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION BUT SEVENTEEN PERCENT27
SB24-053
-3- OF THOSE IN JAIL AND EIGHTEEN PERCENT OF THOSE IN PRISON . AT1
THIRTEEN AND SEVEN -TENTHS PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT , BLACK2
WORKERS IN COLORADO FACED HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAN3
OTHER RACIAL GROUPS SURVEYED BETWEEN MAY 2021 AND APRIL 2022.4
B
LACK COLORADANS EXPERIENCE A WIDE ARRAY OF NEGATIVE HEALTH5
OUTCOMES AT RATES THAT ARE DISPROPORTIONATE TO WHITE6
C
OLORADANS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS : FOOD INSECURITY, INFANT7
MORTALITY, CHILDHOOD ASTHMA, DIABETES, AND HIV AND AIDS. THE8
AVERAGE BLACK COLORADAN HAS A LIFE EXPECTANCY NEARLY THREE9
YEARS FEWER THAN THE AVERAGE WHITE COLORADAN.10
(V) D
ISPARITIES IN BOTH K-12 EDUCATION AND POSTSECONDARY11
TRAINING, INCLUDING HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING ;12
HOME OWNERSHIP; HEALTH DISPARITIES AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ;13
AND A SYSTEMICALLY UNJUST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM , COMBINED WITH14
POLICE BRUTALITY, HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A REALITY IN WHICH HALF OF15
B
LACK FAMILIES IN COLORADO ARE CONSIDERED LOW -INCOME. A LACK16
OF ACCESS TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND FINANCIAL PROSPERITY HAS17
IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS FOR GENERATIONS . BLACK COLORADANS'18
LOST EARNINGS AND ASSETS DETRACT FROM COLORADO'S LABOR FORCE19
AND TAX BASE, AS WELL AS THE GROWTH OF COLORADO'S ECONOMY.20
(VI) R
ACIAL EQUITY STUDIES ARE TOOLS USED TO QUALIFY AND21
QUANTIFY PAST DISCRIMINATION AND RECOMMEND CERTAIN CORRECTIVE22
MEASURES AS MAY BE WARRANTED BY THE STUDY 'S FINDINGS.23
(b) T
HEREFORE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT AN24
INDEPENDENT STUDY MUST BE CONDUCTED AND A STEERING COMMITTEE25
BE CREATED IN THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO DETERMINE THE26
EXTENT TO WHICH BLACK COLORADANS HAVE EXPERIENCED AND27
SB24-053
-4- CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION DIRECTLY LINKED TO1
HARMFUL PRACTICES, SYSTEMS, AND POLICIES OF THE STATE AND TO2
QUANTIFY THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF ANY DISCRIMINATION DISCOVERED3
DURING THE STUDY.4
(2) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE5
REQUIRES:6
(a) "E
XECUTIVE DIRECTOR" MEANS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF7
THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.8
(b) "H
ISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS" OR "BLACK9
C
OLORADANS" MEANS AFRICAN AMERICAN PERSONS, INCLUDING10
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ORIGINS IN ANY OF THE BLACK RACIAL GROUPS,11
WHO HAVE RESIDED OR WHO ARE RESIDING IN COLORADO.12
(c) "S
TATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY" OR "SOCIETY" MEANS THE STATE13
HISTORICAL SOCIETY ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 24-80-201 AND COMMONLY14
KNOWN AS HISTORY COLORADO.15
(d) "S
TEERING COMMITTEE" MEANS THE BLACK COLORADAN16
RACIAL EQUITY STEERING COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED IN SUBSECTION (4) OF17
THIS SECTION.18
(e) "S
TUDY" MEANS THE STUDY TO DETERMINE ANY POTENTIAL19
HISTORICAL AND ONGOING EFFECTS OF SLAVERY AND SUBSEQUENT20
SYSTEMIC RACISM ON BLACK COLORADANS CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO21
SUBSECTION (3) OF THIS SECTION.22
(f) "T
HIRD-PARTY ENTITY" MEANS A RESEARCH ENTITY THAT HAS23
ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SOCIETY TO CONDUCT ALL OR24
PART OF THE STUDY DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION OR AN ENTITY THAT25
CONTRACTS WITH THE SOCIETY TO FACILITATE THE WORK OF THE26
STEERING COMMITTEE.27
SB24-053
-5- (3) (a) THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SHALL CONDUCT A STUDY1
TO DETERMINE ANY POTENTIAL HISTORICAL AND ONGOING EFFECTS OF2
SLAVERY AND SUBSEQUENT SYSTEMIC RACISM ON BLACK COLORADANS3
THAT MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO COLORADO STATE POLICIES. THE GOALS OF4
THE STUDY ARE TO:5
(I) D
ETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH BLACK COLORADANS HAVE6
EXPERIENCED AND CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION7
DIRECTLY LINKED TO HARMFUL PRACTICES , SYSTEMS, AND POLICIES OF8
THE STATE THAT HAVE EXISTED HISTORICALLY OR THAT CONTINUE TO9
EXIST;10
(II) Q
UANTIFY THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON BLACK COLORADANS,11
INCLUDING IMPACTS ON INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES , OF ANY12
DISCRIMINATION DISCOVERED DURING THE STUDY , TO THE EXTENT THAT13
THE STUDY ESTABLISHES THAT DISPARITIES ATTRIBUTABLE TO PAST OR14
PRESENT DISCRIMINATION EXIST; AND15
(III) I
DENTIFY MEASURES THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE16
CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS THE EFFECTS OF DISCRIMINATION THAT MAY17
BE ATTRIBUTED TO STATE POLICIES.18
(b) (I) T
HE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAY ENTER INTO AN19
AGREEMENT WITH ONE OR MORE THIRD -PARTY ENTITIES TO CONDUCT ALL20
OR PART OF THE STUDY DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION . IF THE SOCIETY21
ENTERS INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A THIRD -PARTY ENTITY TO CONDUCT22
ALL OR PART OF THE STUDY, THE THIRD-PARTY ENTITY SHALL CARRY OUT23
ANY RELEVANT DUTY OF THE SOCIETY REQUIRED IN THIS SUBSECTION (3).24
(II) A
THIRD-PARTY ENTITY THAT ENTERS INTO AN AGREEMENT25
WITH THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO CONDUCT ALL OR PART OF THE26
STUDY MUST HAVE:27
SB24-053
-6- (A) EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH BLACK COMMUNITIES;1
(B) A
N UNDERSTANDING OF BLACK HISTORY AND CULTURE, WITH2
DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE WORKING ON ISSUES RELATED TO BLACK3
HISTORY, SOCIAL EQUITY, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY;4
(C) T
EAM MEMBERS WHO IDENTIFY AS BLACK; AND5
(D) A
N UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA AND HOW IT6
PASSES THROUGH GENERATIONS .7
(III) A
THIRD-PARTY ENTITY MAY BE FROM OUTSIDE COLORADO.8
(c) T
HE STUDY MUST FOCUS ON AND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING , AS9
EACH MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES , POLICIES,10
SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES:11
(I) R
ESEARCH ON POTENTIAL HISTORICAL AND ONGOING EFFECTS12
OF SLAVERY AND SUBSEQUENT SYSTEMIC RACISM ON BLACK COLORADANS13
IN THE FOLLOWING SUBJECT AREAS : ACCESS TO ASSET AND WEALTH14
BUILDING, BOTH AS THEY RELATE TO OTHER SUBJECT AREAS STUDIED AND15
INDEPENDENT OF OTHER SUBJECT AREAS STUDIED , INCLUDING16
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL LOANS , CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, AND17
GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES; TAX POLICY; K-12 EDUCATION; POSTSECONDARY18
EDUCATION, INCLUDING HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING19
PROGRAMS; HOME OWNERSHIP AND ACCESS TO HOUSING AS AN OWNER OR20
TENANT; HEALTH DISPARITIES AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ; POLICING21
AND POLICE BRUTALITY; INCARCERATION FOR CRIMES ; AND OVERALL22
TREATMENT OF BLACK COLORADANS AND TRENDS IN THE CRIMINAL23
JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE SOCIETY SHALL FOCUS ITS RESEARCH IN THE24
SUBJECT AREAS BASED ON GUIDANCE FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE25
ABOUT SPECIFIC TOPICS FOR STUDY WITHIN THE SUBJECT AREAS .26
(II) R
ESEARCH INTO THE EXTENT STATE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES '27
SB24-053
-7- POLICIES, SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ANY1
HARM CAUSED TO HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS; AND2
(III) A
N ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF3
SYSTEMIC RACISM ON HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS AND,4
IF FEASIBLE, AN ESTIMATION OF THE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON COLORADO'S5
ECONOMY RESULTING FROM GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES , SYSTEMS, AND6
PRACTICES IN COLORADO.7
(d) (I) T
HE SOCIETY, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE STEERING8
COMMITTEE, SHALL CONDUCT AT LEAST TWO PUBLIC COMMENT SESSIONS9
IN DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS IN THE STATE FOR THE PUBLIC TO10
COMMENT AND PROVIDE INPUT TO THE SOCIETY RELATED TO THE11
PERCEIVED IMPACT THAT STATE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES , POLICIES,12
SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES HAVE HAD THAT HAVE RESULTED IN SYSTEMIC13
RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION ON HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK14
C
OLORADANS, INCLUDING THE IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS , FAMILIES, AND15
THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE . EACH PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION MUST BE16
HELD AT A TIME AND IN A PLACE THAT THE STEERING COMMITTEE17
DETERMINES IS SUFFICIENT TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION . THE18
SOCIETY SHALL ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE AND19
PROVIDE COMMENTS IN PERSON , REMOTELY, AND IN WRITING.20
(II) T
HE SOCIETY MAY , IN ITS DISCRETION AND AFTER21
CONSULTATION WITH THE STEERING COMMITTEE , CONDUCT ADDITIONAL22
PUBLIC COMMENT SESSIONS OR ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH23
INTERVIEWS AND OTHER METHODS DETERMINED BY THE SOCIETY .24
(e) B
EGINNING THREE MONTHS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS25
SUBSECTION (3), THE SOCIETY SHALL PROVIDE THE STEERING COMMITTEE26
WITH REGULAR PERIODIC UPDATES ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE STUDY . THE27
SB24-053
-8- SOCIETY SHALL CONSIDER THE STEERING COMMITTEE 'S FEEDBACK ON THE1
UPDATES.2
(f) N
O LATER THAN TWO YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF3
THIS SUBSECTION (3), THE SOCIETY SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE4
GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THE STUDY . THE SOCIETY5
SHALL DELIVER THE REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE STEERING6
COMMITTEE, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION , THE COLORADO7
COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION , THE COLORADO ATTORNEY8
GENERAL, AND THE HEALTH EQUITY COMMISSION CREATED IN SECTION9
25-4-2206,
AND MAKE THE REPORT AVAILABLE ON A PUBLICLY10
ACCESSIBLE WEBPAGE OF THE SOCIETY 'S WEBSITE. THE REPORT MUST11
INCLUDE:12
(I) A
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY'S GOALS AND METHODOLOGIES ;13
(II) T
HE RESULTS OF THE STUDY 'S RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC14
ASSESSMENT DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (3)(c) OF THIS SECTION;15
(III) R
ECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE16
CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS ANY PAST HARM POTENTIALLY CAUSED BY17
GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES , SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES THAT ARE18
DISCOVERED THROUGH THE STUDY ;19
(IV) R
ECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT HOW OUTCOMES OF THE20
RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS OF PAST HARM POTENTIALLY21
CAUSED TO BLACK COLORADANS BY GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES , SYSTEMS,22
AND PRACTICES CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THE STATE HISTORY23
STANDARDS FOR K-12 STUDENTS;24
(V) R
ECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT HOW TO INCREASE PUBLIC25
AWARENESS ABOUT RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS OF PAST26
HARM POTENTIALLY CAUSED TO HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK27
SB24-053
-9- COLORADANS BY GOVERNMENTAL POLICIES , SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES;1
AND2
(VI) T
HE COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STEERING3
COMMITTEE SUBMITTED TO THE SOCIETY PURS UANT TO SUBSECTION (5)(d)4
OF THIS SECTION.5
(g) T
HE SOCIETY SHALL PRESENT THE REPORT DESCRIBED IN6
SUBSECTION (3)(f) OF THIS SECTION TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES7
STATE, CIVIC, MILITARY, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMI TTEE AND THE8
SENATE STATE, VETERANS, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, OR THEIR9
SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES , DURING THE NEXT REGULAR LEGISLATIVE10
SESSION THAT BEGINS AFTER THE REPORT IS SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL11
ASSEMBLY AND GOVERNOR .12
(4) (a) T
HERE IS ESTABLISHED IN THE SOCIETY THE BLACK13
C
OLORADAN RACIAL EQUITY STEERING COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE INPUT TO14
THE SOCIETY ABOUT THE STUDY , INCLUDING GUIDING THE RESEARCH ,15
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON ANY OF THE16
STUDY'S FINDINGS RELATED TO THE EFFECTS THAT THE LEGACY OF17
SLAVERY, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, AND SYSTEMIC RACISM MAY HAVE18
HAD, AND MAY CONTINUE TO HAVE, ON BLACK COLORADANS.19
(b) T
HE STEERING COMMITTEE CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING20
MEMBERS:21
(I) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 'S22
DESIGNEE;23
(II) T
HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS , APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR:24
(A) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS EXPERTISE IN QUANTIFYING THE25
ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;26
(B) O
NE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE WITH A TRACK RECORD OF27
SB24-053
-10- PUBLIC SERVICE WITH HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;1
AND2
(C) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS LEGAL EXPERTISE IN CONSTITUTIONAL3
LAW AND RACIAL JUSTICE;4
(III) T
HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS , APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF5
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:6
(A) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS EXPERTISE IN QUANTIFYING THE7
ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;8
(B) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS EXPERTISE IN RESEARCHING THE9
HISTORY AND IMPACT OF SLAVERY AND SYSTEMIC RACISM ON BLACK10
C
OLORADANS;11
(C) O
NE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE WITH A TRACK RECORD OF12
PUBLIC SERVICE WITH HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;13
AND14
(D) O
NE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ; AND15
(IV) T
HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF16
THE SENATE:17
(A) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS LEGAL EXPERTISE IN CONSTITUTIONAL18
LAW AND RACIAL JUSTICE;19
(B) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS EXPERTISE IN RESEARCHING THE20
HISTORY AND IMPACT OF SLAVERY ON BLACK COLORADANS;21
(C) O
NE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE WITH A TRACK RECORD OF22
PUBLIC SERVICE WITH HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;23
AND24
(D) O
NE MEMBER OF THE SENATE.25
(c) T
HE APPOINTING AUTHORITIES SHALL APPOINT MEMBERS OF26
THE STEERING COMMITTEE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE27
SB24-053
-11- DATE OF THIS SUBSECTION (4), BUT NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1, 2024.1
T
HE TERM OF APPOINTMENT IS FOR THE DURATION OF THE STEERING2
COMMITTEE'S EXISTENCE. IF A VACANCY ARISES ON THE STEERING3
COMMITTEE, THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY SHALL APPOINT A REPLACEMENT4
TO FILL THE VACANCY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.5
(d) (I) N
OTWITHSTANDING SECTION 2-2-326, EACH LEGISLATIVE6
MEMBER OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE SERVES WITHOUT COMPENSATION7
BUT IS ENTITLED TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTUAL AND8
NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MEMBER 'S9
DUTIES AS A MEMBER OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE .10
(II) N
ONLEGISLATIVE MEMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE11
SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION BUT ARE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT12
FOR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE DISCHARGE OF13
THE MEMBERS' DUTIES.14
(5) (a) T
HE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL CONVENE THE FIRST15
MEETING OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE NO LATER THAN FORTY -TWO DAYS16
AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBSECTION (5). AT ITS FIRST17
MEETING, THE STEERING COMMITTEE SHALL ELECT A CHAIR AND18
VICE-CHAIR FROM AMONG ITS MEMBERS .19
(b) M
EMBERS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE MAY PARTICIPATE20
REMOTELY IN COMMITTEE MEETINGS .21
(c) T
HE STEERING COMMITTEE SHALL :22
(I) C
OMMENT ON AND PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR THE STUDY 'S SCOPE23
OF RESEARCH IN THE SUBJECT AREAS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (3)(c)(I)24
OF THIS SECTION;25
(II) I
F THE SOCIETY CONTRACTS WITH A THIRD -PARTY ENTITY TO26
CONDUCT ALL OR PART OF THE STUDY, ASSIST WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF27
SB24-053
-12- A RUBRIC FOR SELECTING THE THIRD-PARTY ENTITY AND ASSIST WITH THE1
INTERVIEWS AND FINAL SELECTION OF THE THIRD -PARTY ENTITY;2
(III) D
ETERMINE AND ADVISE THE SOCIETY ABOUT THE TIME AND3
LOCATION FOR EACH PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION4
(3)(d)
OF THIS SECTION TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE5
SESSION, CONSULT WITH THE SOCIETY ABOUT WHETHER TO HOLD6
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT SESSIONS , AND HELP THE SOCIETY7
CONDUCT THE PUBLIC COMMENT SESSIONS ; AND8
(IV) P
ROVIDE FEEDBACK THAT IS BASED ON THE RESEARCH9
CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE STUDY TO THE SOCIETY FOLLOWING THE10
RECEIPT OF UPDATES ABOUT THE STUDY AND REVIEW DRAFT STUDY11
REPORTS.12
(d) T
HE STEERING COMMITTEE MAY SUBMIT COMMENTS AND13
RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE RESEARCH CONDUCTED AS PART OF14
THE STUDY TO THE SOCIETY FOR INCLUSION IN THE SOCIETY 'S REPORT15
DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (3)(f) OF THIS SECTION.16
(e) A
FTER THE SOCIETY SUBMITS THE REPORT TO THE GENERAL17
ASSEMBLY AND GOVERNOR PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (3)(f) OF THIS18
SECTION, THE STEERING COMMITTEE SHALL WORK WITH ANY PARTIES19
NECESSARY, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY , TO20
IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT .21
(6) S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE MONEY, THE SOCIETY SHALL PROVIDE22
OFFICE SPACE, EQUIPMENT, AND STAFF SERVICES AS NECESSARY TO23
IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION . THE SOCIETY MAY CONTRACT WITH A24
THIRD-PARTY ENTITY TO FACILITATE THE STEERING COMMITTEE 'S WORK.25
(7) T
HE SOCIETY MAY SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS,26
OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF27
SB24-053
-13- THIS SECTION. THE SOCIETY MAY ACCEPT DONATIONS OF IN-KIND SERVICES1
FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION , INCLUDING FOR TECHNICAL2
ASSISTANCE.3
(8) S
UBSECTIONS (2), (3), (5), AND (6) OF THIS SECTION WILL TAKE4
EFFECT IF THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY RECEIVES ONE HUNDRED5
THOUSAND DOLLARS OF GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR THE PURPOSES6
OF THIS SECTION. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOCIETY SHALL7
NOTIFY THE REVISOR OF STATUTES IN WRITING OF THE DATE ON WHICH THE8
CONDITION SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBSECTION (8) HAS OCCURRED BY9
E-MAILING THE NOTICE TO REVISOROFSTATUTES .GA@COLEG.GOV.10
S
UBSECTIONS (2), (3), (5), AND (6) OF THIS SECTION TAKE EFFECT UPON11
THE DATE IDENTIFIED IN THE NOTICE THAT THE SOCIETY HAS RECEIVED12
ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OF GIFTS , GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR13
THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION OR, IF THE NOTICE DOES NOT SPECIFY THAT14
DATE, UPON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE TO THE REVISOR OF STATUTES .15
(9) T
HIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2025; EXCEPT16
THAT, IF THE REVISOR OF STATUTES RECEIVES NOTICE PURSUANT TO17
SUBSECTION (8) OF THIS SECTION, THEN THIS SECTION IS REPEALED ,18
EFFECTIVE THREE YEARS AFTER SUBSECTIONS (2), (3), (5), AND (6) OF THIS19
SECTION TAKE EFFECT.20
SECTION 2. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act21
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the22
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except23
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V24
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this25
act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take26
SB24-053
-14- effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in1
November 2024 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the2
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.3
SB24-053
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