Votes at a glance: Colorado Senate advances school finance changes, traffic-safety renaming and multiple final-pass bills
April 29, 2026 | 2026 Legislature CO, Colorado
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The Colorado Senate moved a package of bills on April 29, 2026, advancing education funding, traffic‑safety and a range of other measures on third reading and final passage.
Top outcomes
• HB 13‑18 (renamed the Liam Stewart School Zone Act) — Sponsor: Senator Cutter. An amendment (L007) adding the short title was adopted (voice/recorded adoption shown as 34–0 in favor), and the bill passed final passage with a recorded tally reported on the floor as 33 ayes, 1 no, 0 absent, 1 excused.
• SB 23 (School Finance Act) — Sponsors: Senators Kolker and others. The Senate debated funding adequacy for K–12 and emphasized maintaining the finance formula and funding increases; the bill passed on final passage (voice tally reported on the floor with co‑sponsors listed).
• SB 134 (payment‑card network fee restrictions) — Sponsors: Senators Linstead and Judah. The Senate passed SB 134 on final passage (vote read as 18 ayes, 16 noes, 0 absent; President noted one excused).
Other bills passed or advanced on the consent calendar and third reading included measures on interlock restricted licenses for impaired drivers (HB 12‑42), homeowner‑insurance availability (SB 155), worker‑compensation coverage compliance (SB 93), restrictions on single‑use food service ware (SB 146), and multiple committee‑reported House bills; committee reports were adopted and several bills were ordered revised and placed on the calendar for third reading.
Sponsors and floor remarks
Senator Kolker framed the School Finance Act as a priority to reduce an adequacy gap in K–12 funding, citing an estimated annual shortfall in the billions and calling recent funding moves "a deliberate choice to prioritize students and educators." Senator Bazely and others urged continued investment, citing per‑pupil revenue targets and teacher pay concerns. Senator Cutter spoke about naming the school‑zone safety bill for Liam Stewart and introduced Josh Stewart to the chamber before the adoption of the naming amendment.
Procedural notes
Committee of the Whole reports were adopted after consideration of special‑order and consent calendars; the Senate read multiple committee reports recommending second‑reading passage and placed those bills on the calendar for third reading and final passage. Conference‑committee reports on HB 10‑84 were read and transmitted to the presiding officers. The Senate recessed for a short mid‑day pause and announced committee hearings and adjournment times.
What to watch next
SB 70 (ALPR/privacy bill) was debated at length and laid over to July 4, 2026; sponsors signaled they will return with renewed efforts. Several bills advanced to the reviser of statutes or to conference‑committee steps for final technical reconciliation.
This summary uses roll‑call tallies and floor statements as read into the record on April 29, 2026.
Top outcomes
• HB 13‑18 (renamed the Liam Stewart School Zone Act) — Sponsor: Senator Cutter. An amendment (L007) adding the short title was adopted (voice/recorded adoption shown as 34–0 in favor), and the bill passed final passage with a recorded tally reported on the floor as 33 ayes, 1 no, 0 absent, 1 excused.
• SB 23 (School Finance Act) — Sponsors: Senators Kolker and others. The Senate debated funding adequacy for K–12 and emphasized maintaining the finance formula and funding increases; the bill passed on final passage (voice tally reported on the floor with co‑sponsors listed).
• SB 134 (payment‑card network fee restrictions) — Sponsors: Senators Linstead and Judah. The Senate passed SB 134 on final passage (vote read as 18 ayes, 16 noes, 0 absent; President noted one excused).
Other bills passed or advanced on the consent calendar and third reading included measures on interlock restricted licenses for impaired drivers (HB 12‑42), homeowner‑insurance availability (SB 155), worker‑compensation coverage compliance (SB 93), restrictions on single‑use food service ware (SB 146), and multiple committee‑reported House bills; committee reports were adopted and several bills were ordered revised and placed on the calendar for third reading.
Sponsors and floor remarks
Senator Kolker framed the School Finance Act as a priority to reduce an adequacy gap in K–12 funding, citing an estimated annual shortfall in the billions and calling recent funding moves "a deliberate choice to prioritize students and educators." Senator Bazely and others urged continued investment, citing per‑pupil revenue targets and teacher pay concerns. Senator Cutter spoke about naming the school‑zone safety bill for Liam Stewart and introduced Josh Stewart to the chamber before the adoption of the naming amendment.
Procedural notes
Committee of the Whole reports were adopted after consideration of special‑order and consent calendars; the Senate read multiple committee reports recommending second‑reading passage and placed those bills on the calendar for third reading and final passage. Conference‑committee reports on HB 10‑84 were read and transmitted to the presiding officers. The Senate recessed for a short mid‑day pause and announced committee hearings and adjournment times.
What to watch next
SB 70 (ALPR/privacy bill) was debated at length and laid over to July 4, 2026; sponsors signaled they will return with renewed efforts. Several bills advanced to the reviser of statutes or to conference‑committee steps for final technical reconciliation.
This summary uses roll‑call tallies and floor statements as read into the record on April 29, 2026.
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