Concerning a requirement that the staff of the legislative council facilitate a limited number of local government impact hearings for certain legislative measures during a regular legislative session.
Summary
HB26-1140 creates a new process in the Colorado General Assembly for selected bills to receive a “local government impact hearing” during a regular committee hearing. Under the bill, the Speaker of the House, House minority leader, Senate President, and Senate minority leader each may designate up to five legislative measures per session for this special hearing. The hearing must occur at the beginning of the committee hearing, last at least one hour and no more than two hours, and allow counties, cities and counties, municipalities, and organizations representing local governments to testify specifically about how the measure could affect local governments.
The bill also requires Legislative Council staff to place the hearing on the committee calendar once leadership gives notice, and it directs the chair of the relevant committee to set the exact length within the one- to two-hour range. Local governments and their representative organizations may also give additional testimony later during the regular public testimony period. The director of research for Legislative Council must develop and memorialize implementation procedures by December 1, 2026, and annually thereafter.
Impact
The bill would add section 2-2-328 to the Colorado Revised Statutes and impose new procedural duties on Legislative Council staff, committee chairs, and legislative leadership. It does not change substantive policy law, but it changes how certain bills are heard by creating a formal, prioritized opportunity for local governments to testify on measures that may affect them. The practical effect is to elevate local-government concerns in the legislative process and potentially influence committee deliberations on selected bills.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript, vote tally, or recorded opposition, so there is no direct evidence of debate sentiment in the materials provided. Based on the bill’s structure, it appears to be a process-oriented measure intended to improve legislative review of local-government impacts, which would likely be viewed favorably by local governments and organizations representing them. Because the bill limits the number of measures that can receive this special hearing and leaves selection to legislative leadership, it also preserves legislative control over the process.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are procedural rather than substantive. Supporters of local governments may favor the bill because it guarantees dedicated hearing time and broader testimony rights, while critics could argue that it adds another layer to the committee process, may lengthen hearings, and gives significant discretion to legislative leadership over which bills receive the special hearing. Another possible issue is that the bill does not require all bills with local impacts to receive such hearings, only those selected by leadership, which may raise concerns about consistency and fairness.