Repeal Annual General Fund Transfer to Revolving Fund
Summary
SB25-249 repeals the scheduled annual transfer of $400,000 from the state general fund to the state agency sustainability revolving fund. Under current law, that transfer was set to occur on July 1, 2024, and every July 1 thereafter. The bill leaves the revolving fund in place, but removes the automatic general fund deposit that had been dedicated to it.
The fund is used by the Office of State Agency Sustainability to help replace state gas- and diesel-powered equipment located in ozone nonattainment areas with equivalent electric equipment, and to support operation of the office. By eliminating the recurring transfer, the bill changes how the fund is financed and may reduce the amount of money available for those equipment replacement and administrative purposes unless the General Assembly later appropriates or transfers other money to the fund. The bill also expressly allows the fund to receive gifts, grants, or donations credited by the department.
Impact
The bill amends Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-30-2304 to delete the statutory requirement for an annual $400,000 transfer from the general fund to the state agency sustainability revolving fund. It does not repeal the fund itself or the office’s authority to use the fund; rather, it removes the automatic funding mechanism and leaves the fund dependent on other legislative appropriations, transfers, or outside contributions.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It advanced out of Senate Appropriations on a 7-0 vote, passed third reading in the Senate 29-0, moved through House Appropriations 9-2, and passed third reading in the House 59-6. The lack of recorded committee testimony in the provided materials limits insight into detailed debate, but the overall pattern indicates the measure was generally viewed favorably and as a relatively noncontroversial fiscal change.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be fiscal rather than policy-based: whether the state should continue making an automatic annual general fund transfer to support the sustainability revolving fund. Supporters likely viewed repeal as a budgetary adjustment or a way to preserve general fund resources, while any opposition likely centered on reducing dedicated funding for replacing fossil-fuel equipment with electric alternatives and for operating the sustainability office. The split votes in House Appropriations and on House third reading suggest some concern about the funding reduction, even though the bill ultimately passed comfortably.