Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that authorizes the Colorado Secretary of state to issue ballot measures to fund the universal school meals program by raising taxes and/or authorizing the state to retain excess revenue generated under a previous measure.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Secretary of State to issue a ballot measure in the November 2025 statewide election to allow the State of Colorado to retain excess revenue generated by the 2022 approved tax deduction limits on individuals earning more than $300,000 annually and to maintain these decision limits for the purpose of funding the universal school meals program (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Secretary of State to issue a ballot measure in the November 2025 statewide election to increase state taxes by $95 million by increasing taxable income for individuals earning more $300,000 annually for the purpose of funding the universal school meals program (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the local food purchasing grant issued under the program shall be used primarily to support small and medium-sized farms and ranches (Sec. 6).

• Defines a new formula under which the aforementioned grants shall be issued (Sec. 6).

• Defines the functions of the mandatory advisory committees operated by food authorities (Sec. 6).

• Defines terms and establishes technical requirements relating to taxes, revenue generation, reimbursements, and transfers of funds (Sec. 10-19).

• Specifies that existing eligibility requirements for potential providers shall be based on the quantity of meals provided two years prior to the school year for which the provider is applying for reimbursement (Sec. 13-15).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall only take effect upon the passage of the applicable ballot measure(s) (Sec. 20).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that authorizes the Colorado Secretary of state to issue ballot measures to fund the universal school meals program by raising taxes and/or authorizing the state to retain excess revenue generated under a previous measure.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Secretary of State to issue a ballot measure in the November 2025 statewide election to allow the State of Colorado to retain excess revenue generated by the 2022 approved tax deduction limits on individuals earning more than $300,000 annually and to maintain these decision limits for the purpose of funding the universal school meals program (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes the Secretary of State to issue a ballot measure in the November 2025 statewide election to increase state taxes by $95 million by increasing taxable income for individuals earning more $300,000 annually for the purpose of funding the universal school meals program (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the local food purchasing grant issued under the program shall be used primarily to support small and medium-sized farms and ranches (Sec. 6).

• Defines a new formula under which the aforementioned grants shall be issued (Sec. 6).

• Defines the functions of the mandatory advisory committees operated by food authorities (Sec. 6).

• Defines terms and establishes technical requirements relating to taxes, revenue generation, reimbursements, and transfers of funds (Sec. 10-19).

• Specifies that existing eligibility requirements for potential providers shall be based on the quantity of meals provided two years prior to the school year for which the provider is applying for reimbursement (Sec. 13-15).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall only take effect upon the passage of the applicable ballot measure(s) (Sec. 20).

Full Bill Text