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Contentious debate over $4 million fund to defend state interests in federal actions; House Bill 13-21 passes 4–3
Summary
House Bill 13-21, which includes a $4 million appropriation to respond to adverse federal actions and preserve federal funding streams, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee 4–3 after multiple failed amendments that would have limited or removed the funding and executive discretion.
The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced House Bill 13-21 on a 4–3 vote after intense debate over a $4 million fund intended to preserve federal funding and respond to perceived adverse federal actions.
Committee members offered competing amendments. Senator Kirk Meyer moved L009 to remove language reimbursing the Department of Law for special assistant attorneys; that amendment failed on a roll call. Senator Lundin then moved L010 to remove a section that gives the governor exclusive authority to determine whether an action is “adverse,” arguing that determination should rest with the General Assembly; that amendment also failed on a roll call. Speakers on both sides discussed whether the Department of Law had already been funded for similar work through recent appropriations and whether the proposed $4 million represented necessary flexibility or a politically motivated “shadow boxing” fund.
Senator Bridges and supporters said the funds are intended to ensure the state can retain lawyers—whether through the Attorney General’s office or contracted counsel—to defend state officers, protect federal grant funds, and respond quickly when federal actions threaten Colorado funding streams. Bridges said hiring and legal work often must proceed quickly when litigation or document production is required.
Opponents, including Senator Kirk Meyer, argued the Attorney General’s office already receives appropriations and receives reappropriated legal budgets from state departments; he questioned the need for an additional $4 million pot under executive discretion. Kirk Meyer said he had been told at the Joint Budget Committee that outside counsel would be used and that recent appropriations already provided staff to handle some of this work.
Roll calls recorded the failures of both amendments and the final passage of the bill. The amendment L009 to strike reimbursement language for Department of Law special assistants failed 4–3 (Gonzales: No; Kirk Meyer: Aye; Coker: No; Lundin: Aye; Pelton: Aye; Mr. Vice Chair: No; Madam Chair: No). Amendment L010 (striking governor discretion language related to determining adverse federal actions and removing the $4,000,000 appropriation) also failed 4–3. Final adoption of House Bill 13-21 passed 4–3 on the committee roll call (Gonzales: Aye; Kirk Meyer: No; Kocher: Aye; Lundin: No; Pelton: No; Mr. Vice Chair: Aye; Madam Chair: Aye).
Proponents framed the appropriation as protecting Colorado’s access to federal funds and ensuring legal resources are available quickly. Opponents said existing Department of Law appropriations and department-level legal reappropriations should cover that work and that the proposed fund could be used for broader litigation beyond preserving federal grant dollars. The committee action sends HB13-21 forward with the disputed language and funding intact.
