ColoradoHB26-10282026 Regular SessionHouse

Second Language Educational Program for High School Students

Sponsored By: Elizabeth Velasco (Democratic), Lisa Cutter (Democratic), Lorena Garcia (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

More language credential options for graduates

Colorado school providers may award graduating students a biliteracy diploma endorsement for English and another language, including reading and writing. English options include completing required English courses with a 3.0 overall GPA, an Advanced Placement score of at least 3, or an International Baccalaureate score of at least 4. Students can also use state college-and-career-readiness options or multilingual-learner redesignation requirements. For another language, students can pass an Advanced Placement-level course with a 3.0 overall GPA, plus its final assessment or equally rigorous evidence. They can instead pass a nationally recognized test used by colleges; evidence and tests must cover speaking, active listening, understanding, reading, and writing. Providers no longer need prior state approval for alternative tests when an Advanced Placement test exists or the state has identified a comparable test. The law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. after the 90-day period following legislative adjournment, expected August 12, 2026. A referendum petition delays the law's effective date until the governor declares the vote following the November 2026 election.

New spoken-language credential for high school graduates

The law creates a bilingualism diploma endorsement that school providers may award to graduating high school students. It recognizes speaking, active listening, and understanding in English and at least one other world language. Students must show English proficiency through state college-and-career-readiness options or multilingual-learner redesignation requirements. For the other language, students can pass a qualifying nationally recognized oral test. They can instead submit evidence covering those oral skills that is as rigorous as an Advanced Placement test.

Students can seek language credentials elsewhere

Students can seek either language endorsement from an approved entity or another school provider when their own provider lacks it. They must first seek the endorsement from their own provider. A provider that declines to start a program may contract with another provider or approved entity. After completion, the outside provider must send proof to both the student and the student's own provider.

School providers pay language endorsement fees

A state college or another school provider may charge a fee for providing a biliteracy endorsement. The fee must reflect the program's actual and indirect costs. The student's own school provider must pay any assessed fee, rather than the student or household.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Brianna Titone
Democratic • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Cecelia Espenoza
Democratic • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Emily Sirota
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Junie Joseph
Democratic • House
Javier Mabrey
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Jacque Phillips
Democratic • House
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Katie Stewart
Democratic • House
Lori Goldstein
Democratic • House
Lesley Smith
Democratic • House
Michael Carter
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Meghan Lukens
Democratic • House
Matthew Martinez
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Regina English
Democratic • House
Sean Camacho
Democratic • House
Sheila Lieder
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
Yara Zokaie
Democratic • House
Sen. A. Benavidez
Affiliation unavailable
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Chris Kolker
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Kyle Mullica
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lindsey Daugherty
Democratic • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Nick Hinrichsen
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Tom Sullivan
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 220 • No: 69

House vote • 5/7/2026

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 20

House vote • 5/7/2026

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 47 • No: 17

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Third reading: Amend (l.003)

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 28 • No: 6

Senate vote • 5/4/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1028 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • 4/22/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 44 • No: 20

House vote • 4/17/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1028, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 9 • No: 1

House vote • 2/5/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1028, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 8 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

Governor Signed
6/2/2026House
Signed by the Speaker of the House
6/1/2026House
Signed by the President of the Senate
6/1/2026Senate
Sent to the Governor
6/1/2026House
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
5/7/2026House
Senate Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor
5/6/2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
5/5/2026Senate
Senate Committee on Education Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
5/4/2026Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education
4/24/2026Senate
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/22/2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
4/21/2026House
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
4/17/2026House
House Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations
2/5/2026House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Education
1/14/2026House

Bill Text

Engrossed
PDF
Final Act
PDF
House Appropriations Preamend
PDF
House Education Preamend
PDF
Introduced
PDF
Reengrossed
PDF
Rerevised
PDF
Revised
PDF
Signed Act
PDF

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