DENVER (KDVR) — On Monday, a special legislative session will be held to address COVID-19 relief efforts to help Colorado businesses and families taking on major financial losses from the pandemic.
COVID-19 safety compliance is encouraged but not mandatory for members. Recommendations include:
- As much as possible, legislative business should be conducted remotely so as to not unnecessarily put members, staff, and the public at risk of exposure.
- Everyone who will be physically present for business in the capitol, including legislators, security, and press, should undergo a health screening and symptom check daily upon arrival before entering the building.
- Members of the General Assembly, nonpartisan staff, and other legislative staff should get COVID-19 tests before and during session.
- Members should frequently use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol or wash hands with soap and water.
- The state’s Emergency Operations Center can provide masks to be worn by essential personnel (members of the General Assembly, staff, press, and others).
- Outside visitation to the building should be limited as much as possible during the reconvening of the General Assembly. The General Assembly should establish virtual communications for the public, lobbyists, and non-essential staff to engage with the General Assembly in lieu of in-person contact.
N95 masks will be provided, plexiglass separators will be installed and committees will be reduced for safety during the session.
Eight bills will be distributed between the House and Senate for consideration.
“We are hearing from small businesses, restaurants, we are hearing from renters and landlords, we are hearing from food banks, people all across the state,” Colorado House Senate Speaker-designate, Alec Garnett said on Sunday. “Colorado families and businesses are really hurting.”
The five bills starting in the Senate include:
- Small business relief: $57 million in grants would be distributed to small businesses who took financial hits from the COVID-19 capacity restrictions.
- Housing and rental assistance: $50 million would be allocated towards emergency housing assistance for renters and landlords.
- Broadband access: $20 million would be allocated for schools and rural communities struggling to get critical infrastructure and access to internet in a time when it’s needed the most to continue online learning.
- Energy utility assistance: $5 million dollars would be allocated to help families struggling to pay their utility bills in the winter months.
- Colorado public health response: $100 million would go towards ensuring the state can continue to respond to the pandemic. Some of that money should be reimbursed by FEMA.
The three bills starting in the House include:
- Sales tax relief: This would allow restaurants and bars to keep the sales tax they collect during November through March.
- Child care support: $45 million would be distributed to over 2,000 child care facilities
- Food pantry assistance: One in three Coloradans struggle with food insecurities. $3 million would be allocated to increase food access for Colorado families.
According to the Legislative Council Staff, remote testimony will be available for bills heard during the special session, pending a change to House and Senate rules. Advance registration is required for those who want to provide testimony.
Registration for testimony is only available for bills that have pre-released at the sponsor’s discretion, the Legislative Council Staff tweeted.
The special session will begin Monday at 10 a.m.