Bills to Watch - Senate Bill 128

SB 128 - Legislative Approval for State Agency Fee Increase
Sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner & Representative Larry Liston

From hunters and fishers to business owners, all Coloradans understand the “necessary” evil of paying a fee for various services. Sometimes it’s a fee that you might expect, like the $26 fee paid to purchase or renew your driver’s license. Other times, the fee is more discreet, such as the Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Fee (formerly known as the Hospital Provider Fee) which is assessed by most hospitals—to the surprise of most patients. Unlike taxes, which can only be increased if approved by the voters, most fees assessed by the state can be increased by a state agency, without approval of the voters or even the General Assembly.
                                            
Thanks to state Senator Bob Gardner, state agencies might be required to ask permission from the Colorado Legislature before it can increase fees. Senate Bill 128 would require the agency to justify the need for a fee increase by outlining the exact uses of fee revenue as well as the potential impacts on taxpayers if the request is denied. The bill gives Coloradans a greater ability to follow their money through state government, and allows them to tell their elected officials when enough is enough.
 
SB-128 passed the Senate on Wednesday, February 21st.

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