JBC closes long‑bill package, approves transfers, set‑asides and a string of bills

The Joint Budget Committee voted to close long‑bill figure setting on March 24 after approving a series of motions to introduce implementing bills, set aside funds for member legislation and make targeted adjustments to the state budget package.

Key approvals included a committee set‑aside of $10,000,000 (plus reserve) to support Department of Youth Services work on diversion, deflection and detention, and a $4,000,000 one‑time transfer from the general fund to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) cash fund to support legal and federal‑grant coordination. The committee also approved a $6,000,000 transfer to the Hazardous Substance Response Fund and a $5,000,000 transfer to the Stationary Sources Control Fund (one‑time transfers to address environmental and hazardous‑substance needs).

The committee introduced a long list of bills for the coming weeks; all were approved for introduction or drafting by unanimous votes where recorded. Notable bill introductions (committee motion passed 6‑0) included: • Tuition waiver for Colorado National Guard members (bill introduced for the long bill) • Temporary inmate transfer authority to support a Centennial South facility project • Repeal of certain rodent pest control statutes • Transfers to the Stationary Sources Control Fund and the Hazardous Substance Response Fund • A capital and IT transfer bill and a marijuana tax cash fund reallocation bill

The committee also set aside a package of smaller but consequential items for member legislation and other obligations: $7,500,000 for general legislative bill appropriations, $500,000 for a Medicaid provider audit (rack audit), $4,481,774 for judge pay implementation, about $1,698,430 for voter‑approved initiatives, and $5,000,000 reserved for implementing Proposition 130 death benefits. The committee adjusted the total set‑aside package to $18,447,042 and authorized staff to make technical edits.

On program adjustments, the committee approved several targeted cuts and adjustments during the session: a $500,000 reduction in SNAP outreach, a $1,000,000 one‑time reduction to the Mobile Home Park Water Quality Fund appropriation, and $1,000,000 reductions in immigrant family planning funding in each of the two fiscal years noted. The committee also directed a $4,249,700 reduction to peer‑support Medicaid spending (a policy change HCPF will operationalize) and asked the department for an RFI on peer‑service definitions and implementation.

Health‑care related actions included direction to increase Medicaid provider rates by 1.6% in the package; staff recorded that as a policy action during long‑bill closing. The committee also authorized staff and OLLS to draft implementing language for a cut to the motor‑vehicle related 'faster' fee that the committee expects will reduce ongoing revenue and was included as a balancing adjustment.

Members emphasized the need for technical cleanup and authorized JBC staff to make limited technical adjustments up to $5,000,000 in general‑fund changes to avoid reopening the long bill for minor corrections. Director Harper and committee staff will finalize bill drafts and return them for formal introduction in the coming days. The JBC then voted to close the 2025‑26 long bill package and adjourned.