HB 20-1143

  • Colorado House Bill
  • 2020 Regular Session
  • Introduced in House Jun 06, 2020
  • Passed House Jun 05, 2020
  • Passed Senate Jun 10, 2020
  • Signed by Governor Jul 02, 2020

Environmental Justice And Projects Increase Environmental Fines

Abstract

Current state law sets the maximum civil fine for most air quality violations at $15,000 per day and most water quality violations at $10,000 per day, but federal law allows the federal environmental protection agency to assess higher maximum daily fines per violation. Sections 1 and 2 of the act raise the maximum fine to $47,357 per day for air quality violations and $54,833 per day for water quality violations and direct the air quality control commission and the water quality control commission in the department of public health and environment to annually adjust the maximum fine based on changes in the consumer price index. Section 2 also extends the repeal date for the water quality improvement fund to September 1, 2025. Current law specifies that a person who commits criminal pollution of state waters that is committed: With criminal negligence or recklessly is subject to a maximum daily fine of $12,500; and Knowingly or intentionally is subject to a maximum daily fine of $25,000. Section 3 makes a: Criminally negligent or reckless violation a misdemeanor and increases the maximum daily penalty to $25,000, imprisonment of up to 364 days, or both; and Knowing or intentional violation a class 5 felony and increases the maximum daily penalty to $50,000, imprisonment of up to 3 years, or both. Current law specifies that a person who knowingly makes any false representation in a required record or who knowingly renders inaccurate any required water quality monitoring device or method is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to a fine of not more than $10,000, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 6 months, or both. Section 4 makes these violations a class 5 felony and specifies that if 2 separate offenses occur in 2 separate occurrences during a period of 2 years, the maximum fine and term of imprisonment for the second offense are double the default amounts. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Bill Sponsors (3)

Votes


Jun 10, 2020

Jun 05, 2020

Actions


Jul 02, 2020

Office of the Governor

Governor Signed

Jun 29, 2020

Office of the Governor

Sent to the Governor

Senate

Signed by the President of the Senate

House

Signed by the Speaker of the House

Jun 10, 2020

Senate

Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Jun 09, 2020

Senate

Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

Senate

Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

  • Committee-Passage
  • Referral-Committee
Appropriations Senate Committee of the Whole

Jun 08, 2020

Senate

Senate Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations

  • Referral-Committee
Appropriations Finance

Jun 06, 2020

Senate

Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Finance

  • Introduction
Finance

Jun 05, 2020

House

House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Jun 04, 2020

House

House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

Jun 03, 2020

House

House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

  • Committee-Passage
  • Referral-Committee
House Committee of the Whole Appropriations

Feb 27, 2020

House

House Committee on Finance Refer Amended to Appropriations

  • Referral-Committee
Appropriations Finance

Feb 10, 2020

House

House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to Finance

  • Referral-Committee
Finance

Jan 17, 2020

House

Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment + Finance

  • Introduction
Finance Energy & Environment

Bill Text

Bill Text Versions Format
Signed Act (07/02/2020) PDF
Final Act (06/29/2020) PDF
Rerevised (06/10/2020) PDF
Revised (06/09/2020) PDF
Reengrossed (06/05/2020) PDF
Engrossed (06/04/2020) PDF
Introduced (01/17/2020) PDF
PA2 (03/02/2020) PDF
PA1 (02/11/2020) PDF
Committee Amendment PDF

Related Documents

Document Format
Fiscal Note SA1 (06/03/2020) PDF
Fiscal Note SA2 (06/09/2020) PDF
Fiscal Note FN1 (02/06/2020) PDF
Fiscal Note FN2 (02/26/2020) PDF
Fiscal Note FN3 (03/30/2020) PDF
Fiscal Note FN4 (06/04/2020) PDF
Fiscal Note FN5 (08/13/2020) PDF

Sources

Data on Open States is updated periodically throughout the day from the official website of the Colorado General Assembly.

If you notice any inconsistencies with these official sources, feel free to file an issue.