Committee introduces Special Purpose Authority bill moving $21M to general fund, $1M to vocational rehab

Staff presented a complex draft that: (1) moves remaining balances in the Disability Parking Education Enforcement Fund into the general fund upon repeal; (2) creates a subaccount for proceeds from auctions of specialty license plate combinations and clarifies TABOR treatment for those receipts; and (3) provides one‑time spending authority from the Disability Support Fund to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to draw down federal match, which staff estimated could allow the division to serve roughly 1,700 additional people.

Committee members sought assurance that independent living center funding (approximately $4.1M) remained secure; staff confirmed ongoing funding for that line. The bill also clarifies contracting and appropriation mechanics so that auction proceeds can be administered by a third party with visibility via a subaccount and annual appropriation for program reimbursements.

The committee moved to introduce the bill (LLS0492) and it passed 6–0; sponsors were named for both chambers and staff will finalize drafting details.