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ColoradoHB26-13032026 Regular SessionHouse

Technical Changes to Energy & Carbon Management Statutes

Sponsored By: Brandi Bradley (Republican), Marc Catlin (Republican), Matt Ball (Democratic), Michael Carter (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Energy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

New certification options for oilfield welders

Colorado replaces the former International Code Council F31 exam reference for welders on pressurized oil and gas process lines. This covers upstream and midstream operations. Welders must obtain certification through API Standard 1104, ASME Section IX, or an analogous successor to either standard. They can also use another applicable, nationally recognized exam, certification, or qualification different from those two standards. The Energy and Carbon Management Commission must adopt these requirements through rules. The law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. after the 90-day period following final legislative adjournment. That date is August 12, 2026, if final adjournment is May 13, 2026. If a referendum petition is filed, voter approval at the November 2026 general election is required. In that case, the law takes effect when the governor officially declares the vote.

Energy operators face permit and license penalties

Colorado's enforcement rules now refer to energy and carbon management operations, replacing references to oil and gas operations. After a hearing, the commission can act against operators that fail required corrective actions or ignore cease-and-desist orders. It can suspend, change, or revoke permits, or suspend or revoke licenses. Affected operations can continue only to bring them into compliance. Reinstatement requires compliance and payment of penalties not subject to judicial review. After a separate required finding, the commission can block new permits, suspend certificates of clearance, suspend licenses, or combine these actions. Operators can have those restrictions lifted by showing compliance with all violations and paying penalties. Enforcement actions begun before May 16, 2024, can count as evidence for these restrictions. Applicable judicial review remains available. The effective date is August 12, 2026, if final adjournment is May 13, 2026, under the law's 90-day waiting period. A referendum petition delays effectiveness until voter approval in November 2026 and the governor's official declaration of the vote.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Brandi Bradley

    Republican • House

  • Marc Catlin

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael Carter

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Jacque Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 111 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1303 to the Committee of the Wholeand with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 3/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 62 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1303 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 10 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/5/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    4/28/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/28/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    4/28/2026House

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/7/2026Senate

  6. Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/6/2026Senate

  7. Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    3/31/2026Senate

  8. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs

    3/19/2026Senate

  9. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/16/2026House

  10. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    3/13/2026House

  11. House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    3/12/2026House

  12. Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

    2/27/2026House

Bill Text

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