Modernization of Requirements for Ballot Information Booklet
Summary
HB1293 updates Colorado’s ballot information booklet requirements to modernize how information about ballot measures and related issue committees is presented to voters. The bill changes the language used in the booklet so that written comments must identify the commenter’s name and any organization they represent or are affiliated with, and it requires the arguments for and against each measure to be introduced with a standardized notice directing readers to the Secretary of State’s elections website for information about issue committees that support or oppose the measure.
The bill also revises the funding language for the ballot information publication and distribution revolving fund. It clarifies that money in the fund is continuously appropriated to the Legislative Council for publishing ballot measure text and distributing the booklet, and it updates the treatment of unspent appropriations so they remain in or are transferred to the fund rather than reverting to the general fund, with several dated transfer provisions preserved in the statutory text. The act is subject to referendum and is scheduled to take effect after the 90-day petition period unless challenged and approved by voters in November 2026.
Impact
The bill amends Colorado Revised Statutes section 1-40-124.5, which governs the ballot information booklet, by adding disclosure and website-notice requirements and by revising the revolving-fund provisions that finance publication and distribution of the booklet. It affects the Legislative Council’s administration of ballot measure materials, the Secretary of State’s online election information, and the handling of certain unspent legislative appropriations tied to the fund.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition in either chamber. The bill passed the House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee 10-0, passed House third reading 58-0, was advanced in the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee 4-0 with a recommendation for the consent calendar, and passed Senate third reading 33-0. That pattern suggests the measure was viewed as a technical or administrative modernization rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
No substantive contention is reflected in the provided committee or floor votes, and there are no transcript excerpts indicating disagreement. The main policy choices embedded in the bill are administrative: requiring clearer attribution for written comments, directing readers to the Secretary of State’s website for issue-committee information, and adjusting fund-transfer and nonreversion rules. If any concerns existed, they are not visible in the supplied record, which shows unanimous support throughout.