Remove Fee Reversion Animal Feeding Operations

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 5 co-sponsors

Removes fee reversion for animal feeding operation fees, keeping unspent revenues in the program fund to support permits, inspections, monitoring, and enforcement.

Governor Signed

Purpose / Intent

Based on its title, SB 25-253 is intended to eliminate the statutory "fee reversion" (the automatic return of unspent or unexpended fee revenues to the state general fund at the close of a fiscal period) for fees collected in connection with animal feeding operations. The apparent goal is to allow those fee revenues to remain available in their designated cash fund(s) for ongoing program use (e.g., permitting, inspection, monitoring, technical assistance, and enforcement) rather than reverting to the general fund.

Note: The full bill text and fiscal note should be consulted for exact language and specific funds affected.

Key provisions (inferred from title)

Removes or suspends fee reversion requirements that would otherwise cause unspent animal feeding operation fee revenues to revert to the General Fund.

Allows animal feeding operation–related fee revenues to be retained in the originating cash fund(s) across fiscal years.

Likely clarifies which fees and which fund(s) are covered; may include implementation or effective-date language.

Because the public bill text was not provided, the above reflects the bill’s stated title and usual legislative effect of removing fee reversion.

Who is affected

Animal feeding operations and their owners/operators who pay statutory fees (permits, inspections, registrations).

State agencies that administer animal feeding operation programs (likely Departments of Agriculture, Public Health, or Natural Resources, depending on state structure).

The state General Fund, which may receive fewer reverted fee dollars in years with unspent balances.

Local stakeholders and environmental/water quality programs that rely on stable funding for oversight and compliance activities.

Potential impacts

Fiscal: Reduced one-time or ongoing transfers into the General Fund (amount depends on typical unspent balances). Increased retained cash fund balances for the administering agency.

Programmatic: Greater ability for agencies to carry forward resources for multi-year monitoring, permitting, or remediation projects; potentially more stable regulatory enforcement and technical assistance.

Administrative: Simplifies or changes budgeting and fund-management practices for the relevant program.

Legislative timeline & sponsors

Introduced (Senate, assigned to Appropriations): 2025-03-31

Passed Senate (no amendments): 2025-04-03

Passed House (no amendments; approp. referral): 2025-04-10

Sent to Governor: 2025-04-16

Governor Signed: 2025-04-25

Primary sponsors: Rick Taggart, Barbara Kirkmeyer, Jeff Bridges, Emily Sirota
Cosponsors: S. Bird, J. Amabile

Next steps / where to find details

SB 25-253 is enacted (Governor signed). To determine exact statutory changes, effective date, and fiscal impact (dollar amounts), consult:
- The official enrolled bill text and statutory section amendments on the Colorado General Assembly website (or your state’s legislative website), and
- The bill’s Fiscal Note and any accompanying explanatory statements or agency implementation guidance.

Bill