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ColoradoHB26-13962026 Regular SessionHouse

Disaster Emergency Fund Changes

Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Kyle Brown (Democratic), Rick Taggart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Fiscal Policy & TaxesState GovernmentState Revenue & Budget

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Colorado sets disaster account deadlines and reporting

Beginning August 12, 2026, Colorado’s Department of Public Safety must close federally declared disaster accounts within three years. State-only disaster accounts must close within eight years; both deadlines run from the last recorded revenue or spending for that disaster. The department must report to the state budget office that all required work and administrative actions are complete. The budget office then removes the disaster account and returns any remaining money to its original source. Its quarterly reports to the Joint Budget Committee must list closed disasters, money returned, and spending totals and breakdowns by agency.

Colorado caps unused disaster fund reserves

The law caps Colorado’s annual uncommitted Disaster Emergency Fund balance at $200 million. Uncommitted money means money not reserved for a specific disaster through a governor’s executive order. After August 12, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, the state budget office must transfer excess money to the General Fund. This frees money for general state spending but leaves less in dedicated disaster reserves. The law creates no direct household payment or duty.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Barbara Kirkmeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Taggart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 93 • No: 21

Senate vote • 4/16/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 30 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1396 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 45 • No: 16

House vote • 4/7/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1396 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    5/29/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/28/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/28/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/28/2026House

  5. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/16/2026Senate

  6. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    4/15/2026Senate

  7. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/14/2026Senate

  8. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/13/2026Senate

  9. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/11/2026House

  10. House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    4/10/2026House

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

    4/9/2026House

  12. House Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    4/8/2026House

  13. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    4/7/2026House

  14. Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/2/2026House

Bill Text

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