Joint Budget Committee introduces LLS 0825 to amend Cover All Coloradans program

The Joint Budget Committee on Monday introduced LLS 0825, a draft bill that would make changes to the Cover All Coloradans program, and agreed to run the measure with the long bill.

Vice Chair Bridges moved to introduce the bill, stating, "Madam Chair, I move to introduce LLS 0825 changes to cover all Coloradans program." The committee chair said the motion passed "on a vote of 6 to 0," and that the bill will start in the House with sponsors Brown and Taggart and Senate sponsors Amable and Kirkmeyer; Sirota and Bridges will co‑sponsor.

Mr. Kurtz told the committee he was aware of a technical change needed in the appropriations clause to align the draft with another bill that replaces the adult dental fund with general fund support. He said staff would make the tweak "to harmonize this bill with that." Committee members granted blanket permission for technical changes.

The action was procedural: introduction and referral to the long bill. No policy debate on substantive program changes occurred during the floor discussion; the committee’s focus was to ensure the draft was technically consistent with other budget measures.

The committee proceeded to consider a second bill draft after introducing LLS 0825.