In final weeks of Colorado legislative session, 374 bills still need action

On day 105 of the 120-day legislative session, lawmakers have 374 bills out of 673 bills introduced that need action between now and midnight, May 8, when the session adjourns.

The number of bills introduced in 2024 is the fifth highest in the last 25 years. Four sessions have had more than 700 bills, with 2003 at the high watermark, with 736.

According to data from the Office of Legislative Legal Services, the House has introduced 462 bills, the Senate 211. The larger number for the House reflects not only its more members but also the fact that it took the lead on appropriations bills this year, including the state budget and dozens of related bills.

Compared to 2023, 70 more bills have been introduced in the 2024 session. Ninety-eight more bills than a year ago are still awaiting their first committee hearings, meaning some very busy committees in the next 10 days. Any bill that has not cleared its first committee hearing by Monday, May 6, will not have a chance of making it to the end of the session.

Of the pending bills, the House has 212 bills to work on that originated in the House, and 221 bills total awaiting action. The Senate has 79 bills that originated in the Senate, and 153 bills are awaiting action.

This year's bill total is the highest in the last five sessions. 

The state constitution prohibits lawmakers from submitting more than six referred measures to the ballot. 

Two measures from the 2023 session are already on the ballot: a modification of property taxes for veterans with disabilities and a measure on judicial discipline. 

One measure, HCR 1002, on constitutional bail exceptions for first-degree murder, has already been approved, leaving three others competing for the remaining three slots.

Those include two from Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch, on qualifications for senators and representatives. HCR 1004 is intended to ban vacancy committee members from running for office in the following election. The measure passed the House State, Civic, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee on a 7-4 vote Monday. Marshall's other referred measure would set a property tax revenue growth limit. House Finance approved HCR 1006 on Monday and is awaiting action from House Appropriations.

The last measure, SCR 002, is a modification to election deadlines offered by Senate President Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder.

Eighty bills have been postponed indefinitely; one was lost on the second reading in the House, and two were lost on the third reading, one each in the House and Senate.

The governor has signed 145 bills through Monday.