Colorado § 2-2-2601 - Commission on medicaid - creation - powers and duties - report - repeal.

§ 2-2-2601. Commission on medicaid - creation - powers and duties - report - repeal.

(1) Notwithstanding section 2-3-303.3, there is created in the legislative department the commission on medicaid, referred to in this section as the "commission", for the purpose of making recommendations regarding implementing federal medicaid policy changes in 2026, 2027, and 2028 and appropriately supporting Coloradans impacted by those policy changes.

(2) (a) The commission consists of ten legislators as follows:

(I) The members of the joint budget committee on the effective date of this section;

(II) The chair of the house of representatives health and human services committee on the effective date of this section;

(III) The chair of the senate health and human services committee on the effective date of this section;

(IV) A member of the house of representatives health and human services committee, appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; and

(V) A member of the senate health and human services committee, appointed by the minority leader of the senate.

(b) The commission shall select a chair and vice-chair from among its members.

(c) (I) If a vacancy on the commission occurs, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint a qualified replacement member of the general assembly to fill the vacant position no later than ten business days after the date the vacancy is deemed to exist.

(II) For the purposes of filling a vacancy of a commission member described in subsection (2)(a)(I) of this section, the qualified replacement need not be a member of the joint budget committee and the appropriate appointing authority is:

(A) The speaker of the house of representatives, if the departing member was a member of the majority party of the house of representatives;

(B) The president of the senate, if the departing member was a member of the majority party of the senate;

(C) The minority leader of the house of representatives, if the departing member was a member of the minority party of the house of representatives; and

(D) The minority leader of the senate, if the departing member was a member of the minority party of the senate.

(III) For the purposes of filling a vacancy of a commission member described in subsection (2)(a)(II) of this section, the qualified replacement need not be the chair of the house of representatives health and human services committee, but must be a member of the committee, and the appropriate appointing authority is the speaker of the house of representatives.

(IV) For the purposes of filling a vacancy of a commission member described in subsection (2)(a)(III) of this section, the qualified replacement need not be the chair of the senate health and human services committee, but must be a member of the committee, and the appropriate appointing authority is the president of the senate.

(3) Notwithstanding section 2-2-307 (3)(e), members of the commission are entitled to per diem and travel expenses for their attendance at commission meetings during the 2026 interim.

(4) (a) As soon as feasible after the effective date of this subsection (4), the director of research for the legislative council shall issue a request for proposals for a technical advisor. The technical advisor must have experience in health-care policy, have an understanding of how Colorado's department of health care policy and financing works, have no conflicts of interest, have experience facilitating meetings and providing technical support to working groups, and have the ability to write a report. The commission shall select a technical advisor and enter into a contract with the technical advisor to assist in writing the recommendations of the commission and providing assistance to the commission.

(b) The legislative council staff shall assist the commission in carrying out its duties required in this section.

(5) (a) The commission shall invite representatives from the department of health care policy and financing, the behavioral health administration, the Colorado department of human services, the governor's office, and other state agencies, as determined by the commission, to present to or collaborate with the commission.

(b) The commission may invite community-based medicaid stakeholders, including managed care entities, or nationally recognized medicaid experts to present to the commission and provide feedback on commission recommendations.

(c) The commission may request data from the department of health care policy and financing or other state agencies. The department of health care policy and financing or other state agencies shall, within existing resources, provide the commission with the data requested.

(6) The commission shall meet beginning as soon as practicable after May 13, 2026. The commission chair, in consultation with the technical advisor, shall determine the commission's meeting frequency and duration, but the commission shall meet at least six times and no more than twelve times before December 11, 2026.

(7) (a) The purpose of the commission is to identify, consider, and evaluate legislative and executive branch action options to implement a sustainable medicaid program. The commission shall identify, consider, and evaluate recommendations for policy change.

(b) The commission shall utilize existing Colorado and national studies, reports, analyses, and audits to:

(I) Establish a shared understanding of the federal policy changes coming through the implementation of H.R. 1, 119th Congress (2025-2026), Pub. L. 119-21, and related federal policies; identify additional workload for the department of health care policy and financing associated with federal changes; and identify preparations to support Coloradans impacted by required changes coming in 2026, 2027, and 2028;

(II) Explore how Colorado's administrative structures of health care have changed over the past ten years, establish a shared understanding of how these administrative structures are working together today, and identify points of friction and opportunities for efficiencies;

(III) Analyze medicaid eligibility and enrollment, benefits, administration of benefits and delivery systems, provider contracting, payment rates and methodology, challenges regarding medicaid administration statewide, and program quality for efficacy and value; and

(IV) Explore medicaid financing and evaluate how Colorado can optimize federal funding to support health-care delivery.

(c) The commission shall:

(I) Solicit and consider input from medicaid members, disability members, disability advocates, health-care providers, and community-based organizations, including through public meetings or written comment; and

(II) Evaluate the impact of the commission's proposed recommendations on member access to care, quality of care, and health equity, including impacts on individuals with disabilities, individuals in rural areas, and other vulnerable populations.

(8) (a) No later than December 11, 2026, the commission shall submit a report to the general assembly and the governor documenting the process of the commission and any recommendations for both short-term and long-term legislative changes, executive action, and other policy changes.

(b) The final report must include a description of stakeholders that provided input to the commission.

(9) This section is repealed, effective June 30, 2027.

Source: L. 2026: Entire part added, (SB 26-187), ch. 221, p. 1297, § 2, effective May 29 (see editor's note).

Editor's note: Section 4 of chapter 221 (SB 26-187), Session Laws of Colorado 2026, provides that subsection (3) takes effect only if HB 26-1331 becomes law and takes effect either on the effective date of SB 26-187 or HB 26-1331, whichever is later. SB 26-187 became law and took effect May 29, 2026, and HB 26-1331 became law and took effect June 2, 2026.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 26-187, see section 1 of chapter 221, Session Laws of Colorado 2026.

LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

ARTICLE 3

Legislative Services

PART 1

LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE - STATE AUDITOR

2-3-100.3. Definitions.

2-3-101. Legislative audit committee - membership - meetings - powers and duties.

2-3-102. State auditor - qualifications and appointment - term of office.

2-3-103. Duties of state auditor - definition.

2-3-103.5. Deputies.

2-3-103.7. Disclosure of reports before filing.

2-3-104. Salary and staff of state auditor.

2-3-104.5. Legal representation of the state auditor.

2-3-105. Transfer of employees. (Repealed)

2-3-106. Bond. (Repealed)

2-3-107. Authority to subpoena witnesses - access to records.

2-3-108. Special audits.

2-3-109. Emergency reports.

2-3-110. Reimbursement of state auditor for certain audits - disclosure.

2-3-110.5. Fraud hotline - investigations - confidentiality - access to records - definitions.

2-3-111. Office of state auditor - conduct audit of juvenile justice system - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-112. Prevention programs - programmatic review. (Repealed)

2-3-113. Programs that receive tobacco settlement money - program review - definitions.

2-3-114. State records management - duties of state auditor - definitions.

2-3-115. Use of state education fund money for school capital construction - audits - reports.

2-3-116. Performance audit of foster care program - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-117. Pilot efficiency reviews - school districts - report - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-118. Performance audit of statewide database of permittees - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-119. Audit of healthcare affordability and sustainability hospital provider fee - cost shift.

2-3-120. Periodic performance audits of Colorado new energy improvement district and new energy improvement program - reports.

2-3-121. Performance audits of public highway authorities.

2-3-122. Risk-based performance audit of department of transportation - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-123. Audits of the distribution of money in the state historical fund used for the preservation and restoration of the cities of Central, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek. (Repealed)

2-3-124. Audits of reports of recidivism and educational outcomes by the division of youth services.

2-3-125. Periodic performance audits of Colorado civil rights division and commission - reports.

2-3-126. Performance audits of Colorado electric transmission authority.

2-3-127. Audit of statewide education accountability systems - report - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-128. Oil and gas - performance audit - report - definitions - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-129. Audit of license fees paid to health-care cash funds.

2-3-130. Audit - department of corrections - budget practices - third-party auditor.

2-3-131. Performance audit - air pollution control division - report.

2-3-132. Performance audit - division of unemployment insurance.

PART 2

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

2-3-200.3. Definitions.

2-3-201. Joint budget committee established.

2-3-202. Organization and meetings.

2-3-203. Powers and duties of the joint budget committee.

2-3-204. Staff director, assistants, and consultants.

2-3-205. Expenses - vouchers.

2-3-206. Recommendations and findings.

2-3-207. Implementation of a zero-base budgeting program. (Repealed)

2-3-208. Budget requests - base budget submissions - amendments - supplemental appropriation requests - deadlines - definitions.

2-3-209. Long-range financial plan - definitions.

2-3-210. Evidence-based decision-making - budget requests - legislative declaration.

2-3-211. Potential budgetary impact - litigation - executive session.

PART 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

2-3-300.3. Definitions.

2-3-301. Legislative council created - executive committee created.

2-3-302. Organization - meetings.

2-3-303. Functions - report - definitions - repeal.

2-3-303.3. Interim committees - repeal.

2-3-304. Director of research - assistants.

2-3-304.5. Tax policy changes - dynamic model - pilot program - advisory committee.

2-3-305. Requests of the governor.

2-3-306. Authority to subpoena witnesses.

2-3-307. Minutes of council.

2-3-308. Recommendations and findings.

2-3-309. Reimbursement of members for expenses.

2-3-310. Centralized legislative accounting service.

2-3-311. Interstate cooperation.

2-3-312. Opportunities to include tribal governments - reports - definition - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-313. Legislative council staff - study correctional release options for aging and seriously ill offenders.

PART 4

COMMISSION ON INTERSTATE COOPERATION

2-3-401 to

2-3-406. (Repealed)

PART 5

COMMITTEE ON LEGAL SERVICES - OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE LEGAL SERVICES

2-3-500.3. Definitions.

2-3-501. Legal services in legislative department - committee on legal services - office of legislative legal services.

2-3-502. Committee on legal services - membership - duties.

2-3-503. Director - staff - revisor.

2-3-504. Duties of office.

2-3-505. Requests for drafting bills and amendments - confidential nature thereof - lobbying for bills.

2-3-506. Use of supreme court library.

2-3-507. Office space in or near capitol - office hours - appropriations.

2-3-508. Terminology - references.

2-3-509. Transfer of employees. (Repealed)

2-3-510. Study regarding an organizational recodification of title 12 of the Colorado Revised Statutes - legislative declaration - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-511. Legislative human resources division - creation - duties - records - definitions.

PART 6

COLORADO COMMISSION ON UNIFORM STATE LAWS

2-3-600.3. Definitions.

2-3-601. Commission on uniform state laws - creation.

2-3-602. Compensation - expenses.

2-3-603. Meetings - organization.

2-3-603.5. Status of commissioners.

2-3-604. Duties of commissioners.

PART 7

COMMITTEE ON LEGAL SERVICES - REVISOR OF STATUTES

2-3-700.3. Definitions.

2-3-701. Function of committee - statute revision.

2-3-702. Revisor of statutes - duties.

2-3-702.5. Directive to the revisor of statutes - changes in arrangement - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-703. Revision - editorial work.

2-3-704. Revisor to aid in bill drafting. (Repealed)

2-3-705. Distribution of statutes.

2-3-706. Successor to committee on statute revision. (Repealed)

PART 8

COLORADO STATE OFFICIALS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION

2-3-801 to

2-3-807. (Repealed)

PART 9

STATUTORY REVISION COMMITTEE

2-3-900.3. Definitions.

2-3-901. Statutory revision committee - creation.

2-3-902. Duties of committee.

PART 10

COMMITTEE ON LEGAL SERVICES - LEGAL COUNSEL FOR LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

2-3-1001. Legal counsel retained.

2-3-1002. Legislative expenses cash fund - creation.

PART 11

COLORADO ENERGY COORDINATING COUNCIL

2-3-1101 to

2-3-1108. (Repealed)

PART 12

SUNRISE AND SUNSET REVIEW

2-3-1201. Sunrise and sunset review - designation of committees of reference to conduct review.

2-3-1202. Staff assistance.

2-3-1203. Sunset review of advisory committees - legislative declaration - definition - repeal.

2-3-1204. Departments having authority to create advisory committees - duties - repeal. (Repealed)

PART 13

CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

2-3-1301. Definitions.

2-3-1302. Capital development committee established.

2-3-1303. Rules of procedure.

2-3-1304. Powers and duties of capital development committee.

2-3-1304.3. Additional powers and duties of capital development committee - approval and oversight of fund-raising for restoration of the capitol dome - legislative declaration - capitol dome restoration trust fund - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-1304.5. Reports from departments, institutions, and agencies in connection with capital construction requests - repeal. (Repealed)

2-3-1304.6. Capital construction and long-range planning by state agencies and state institutions of higher education - policy.

2-3-1305. Recommendations and findings.

2-3-1305.5. Continuation projects - future appropriations. (Repealed)

2-3-1306. Staff assistance.

2-3-1307. Highway and bridge projects - exempt.

2-3-1308. Repeal of part. (Repealed)

PART 14

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OVERSIGHT

2-3-1401. Oversight of economic development activities of state - business affairs and labor committee and business, labor, and technology committee - reports from governor to joint budget committee on economic development programs.

PART 15

LEGISLATIVE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND RECOVERY COMMITTEE

2-3-1501 to

2-3-1503. (Repealed)

PART 16

WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE

2-3-1601 to

2-3-1602. (Repealed)

PART 17

JOINT TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

2-3-1701. Definitions.

2-3-1702. Joint technology committee established.

2-3-1703. Organization, procedures, and meetings.

2-3-1704. Powers and duties of the joint technology committee.

2-3-1705. Staff assistance.

2-3-1706. Repeal of part. (Repealed)

2-3-1707. Artificial intelligence impact task force - creation - membership - duties - compensation - staff support - report - definitions - repeal.

PART 18

RECEIPT OF INFORMATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH DURING A DECLARED DISASTER EMERGENCY

2-3-1801. Legislative committees to receive information from the executive branch during a declared disaster emergency - definition.

PART 19

COLORADO JAIL STANDARDS COMMITTEE

2-3-1901. Legislative oversight committee for Colorado jail standards - creation - duties - repeal.

2-3-1901.5. Jail standards compliance.

2-3-1902. Colorado jail standards commission - creation - membership. (Repealed)

2-3-1903. Commission - duties - report. (Repealed)

2-3-1904. Repeal of part. (Repealed)

PART 20

LANGUAGE ACCESS ADVISORY BOARD

2-3-2001 to

2-3-2004. (Repealed)

PART 21

AMERICAN INDIAN AFFAIRS INTERIM COMMITTEE

2-3-2101. Legislative declaration.

2-3-2102. Definitions.

2-3-2103. American Indian affairs interim committee - creation - duties - membership - reporting - repeal.

PART 1

LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE - STATE AUDITOR