2020 Legislation of Interest to
Good Business Colorado Members
GBC’s policy priorities are member-driven. Through our three policy working groups, staff and member businesses prioritize how GBC will engage.
Please contact angelique@goodbusinessco.org for more information about GBC’s policy positions.
PROSPEROUS ECONOMY
2020 legislation signed into law that helps build a prosperous economy: one that enables everyone to thrive, with jobs that provide fair workplaces, livable wages, career growth opportunities and good health.
Senate Bill 200- Secure Savings Program
Develops an automatic enrollment payroll deduction IRA, to be known as the Colorado Secure Savings Program. This program will benefit small businesses and workers who are less likely to have access to a retirement savings option.
Senate Bill 215- Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise
Captures fees already being paid by insurance carriers, to continue Colorado’s successful reinsurance program for an additional five years without any cost to the state general fund. The Enterprise is intended to make insurance more affordable for individual-market consumers who don’t benefit from reinsurance and creates affordable health insurance options for people left out of the Affordable Care Act, including individuals in the “family glitch.”
Monitored by GBC
Senate Bill 205- Paid Sick Days
Employers now have new mandates to provide paid sick days for their employees, with different requirements in effect for part-time versus full time-workers and paid sick days for pandemic-related illness versus the “regular reasons” employees need paid sick days. Small businesses with 15 or fewer employers have until January 1, 2022 to be in mandatory compliance with the provisions of the new law. Official Implementation poster available here.
Senate Bill 207- Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program
Provides short-term relief for businesses on their UI premiums in exchange for long-term reforms to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Allows many workers to stay on UI if their working conditions are unsafe or they have to care for a family member affected by COVID-19. Expands existing UI programs that allow individuals to recover reduced pay while continuing to stay employed. Directs the Department of Labor and Employment to conduct a study on the expansion of UI to contract workers.
House Bill 1415- Whistleblower Protection Public Health Emergencies
Prohibits employers and other entities from discriminating, retaliating, or taking adverse action against any worker who: raises concern about workplace health and safety practices related to a public health emergency, or voluntarily wears protective equipment. Official Implementation poster available here.
House Bill 1420 - Tax Fairness Act
This bill makes tax deduction changes that result in a net increase in General Fund revenue of an estimated $126 million. GBC recommends consulting with an accountant to determine any changes to business taxes.
House Bill 1023 - State Address Data for Sales and Use Tax Collection
Establishes a hold harmless provision for vendors who use the state's geographic information system database, to determine the jurisdictions to which sales or use tax is owed and to calculate appropriate sales or use tax rates for individual addresses. It also requires the Department of Revenue to notify vendors when the database is online, tested, and verified to be operational, supported, and available.
EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES
2020 legislation signed into law that helps build equitable communities: one in which residents can find affordable housing, access to affordable childcare, live in a safe neighborhood and are treated equally, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability and other characteristics.
House Bill 1048- Hairstyle Anti-Discrimination
Protects against discrimination (in public education, employment practices, housing, public accommodations, and advertising) by including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, type, and protective hairstyles.
House Bill 1413 & Senate Bill 222
Established loan and grant programs for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They are intended to prioritize funding for small businesses owned by women, communities of color, veterans, and rural businesses.
House Bill 1332- Prohibit Source of Income Housing Discrimination
Protects against housing discrimination that can occur based on a person’s source of income. Without protections, people receiving income through gig economy jobs, legal marijuana industry jobs, alimony, child support, student loans, veterans’ benefits, social security, etc. may experience housing discrimination.
Senate Bill 126 - Allow Home Child Care In Homeowners' Association Community
Ensures home child care providers can operate in HOA communities, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the community's governing documents.
House Bill 1053 - Supports For Early Childhood Educator Workforce
Addresses licensing standards and credentialing for the early childhood workforce, to make requirements clear and consistent, and to reduce the relative administrative burden for early childhood educators.
House Bill 1153 - Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act
Facilitates the creation of formal labor-management partnership agreements between state employees in the state personnel system and the executive branch of state government.
SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT
2020 legislation signed into law that helps build a sustainable environment: one with clean air and water, renewable energy, as well as public lands that preserve our unique outdoor heritage and lifestyle.
Senate Bill 55- Incentivize Development Recycling End Markets:
Helps grow Colorado’s recycling economy by investing in the development of end markets for recyclable materials.
House Bill 1143- Environmental Justice and Projects Increase Environmental Fines:
Increased both civil and criminal penalties for companies that pollute Colorado’s air and water; aligns CO with federal EPA penalties.
House Bill 1265- Increase Public Protection Air Toxics Emissions:
Requires public notice (including emergency notification) to impacted communities when there is an air quality incident that exceeds allowable emission levels.
Additionally, GBC has recently provided public comment to the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) regarding CO Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Emission Reduction Requirements.