Multiple Employer Health Trust Funding
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects |
Concerning the use of general fund money to support benefits provided to certain public safety personnel through a multiple employer health trust, and, in connection therewith, reducing an appropriation.
Bill Summary:
Joint Budget Committee. Current law requires the state treasurer to transfer $2.5 million to the firefighter benefits cash fund from the general fund on July 1, 2028, and on each July 1 thereafter, sufficient funds, subject to annual appropriation, to reimburse employers for the direct costs of providing certain benefits to firefighters and volunteer firefighters. Current law also requires the general assembly to appropriate $650,000 from the general fund to the department of local affairs (department) on July 1, 2026, and $1 million from the general fund to the department on July 1, 2027, to reduce participating employer contributions to a multiple employer health trust (trust) for volunteer firefighters and part-time firefighters. The bill repeals the appropriation otherwise required on July 1, 2026. required transfers and required appropriations
Current law requires the general assembly to appropriate money from the general fund to the division of criminal justice in the department of public safety for the purpose of reimbursing a multiple employer health trust for the direct costs of providing cardiac and other health screenings for peace officers as follows:
- $350,000 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026;
- $500,000 for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027;
- $1 million for the state fiscal year beginning July 1, 2028; and
- On each July 1 thereafter, sufficient funds.
The bill repeals these required appropriations the appropriation otherwise required on July 1, 2026 .
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
Prime Sponsors
Representative
Emily Sirota
Representative
Rick Taggart
Senator
Judy Amabile
Senator
Jeff Bridges
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Upcoming Schedule
1 meeting
Related Documents & Information
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/14/2026 | PA1 |
| Date | Version | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| 04/13/2026 | SA1 |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer House Bill 26-1397, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 5-2. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer House Bill 26-1397 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 11-0. | Vote summary |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/16/2026 | Third Reading | BILL |
30
AYE
5
NO
0
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/11/2026 | Third Reading | BILL |
51
AYE
10
NO
4
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 04/16/2026 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/15/2026 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor |
| 04/14/2026 | Senate | Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 04/13/2026 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations |
| 04/11/2026 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/10/2026 | House | House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 04/09/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor |
| 04/08/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 04/06/2026 | House | House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 04/02/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations |
Prime Sponsor
Sponsor
Co-Sponsor