Bill
HB 1422
Colorado HB1422 reorganizes security leadership, creates centralized Court Security Authority funded by a new surcharge, and expands protections for legislators, officials, and jud
HB 1422 (2026A) Colorado – Security Measures for Certain Government Entities
Overview
- Bill purpose: Reorganize and strengthen security and protective measures for state legislative, judicial, and executive branches; update security leadership, enhance courthouse security standards, and restructure court security funding and governance.
- Key thrust: Create an integrated framework for legislative safety, expand state patrol coverage of security at the Capitol and governor’s residence, formalize a new Court Security Authority, and implement a judicial security standards program.
What the bill would change or add
1) Legislative safety and security
- Creates the Administrator of Legislative Safety (ALS) for the General Assembly as the primary point of contact for covered individuals (members of the General Assembly, legislative staff, and others designated by the Legislative Council Executive Committee).
- ALS coordinates security with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and may coordinate with local law enforcement and sergeants at arms (SAAs) of each chamber.
- ALS can appoint additional personnel; ALS and staff are not subject to state personnel laws.
- ALS is a peace officer (potential PST certification) and may develop policies and procedures related to security.
- SAAs remain in place for each chamber but now consult with the ALS regarding supervision.
2) Title and role updates for security officers
- The current “Chief Security Officer” in each house would be renamed “Sergeants at Arms” (SAAs).
- Each chamber may consult with the ALS in connection with SAA supervision.
3) State Patrol expansion and governance
- CSP’s jurisdiction in the Capitol complex expanded to include additional covered individuals and to coordinate with the ALS for safeguarding these individuals.
- CSP’s governor’s mansion protection is confirmed as part of CSP duties; CSP may coordinate with ALS for district/town hall events attended by covered individuals.
4) Protected persons and public-official security
- Broadens protections for several elected officials and public employees, including judicial staff and other high-profile officials, by extending protection considerations and procedures.
5) Court security program and funding (major restructuring)
- Establishes a Court Security Authority (CSA) as a special-purpose entity to administer court security funding and grants.
- Creates a Court Security Authority Board to award grants from court security surcharges; membership includes county commissioners, county sheriffs, a chief judge (or designee), and a member of the public.
- Repeals the existing Court Security Cash Fund and the Court Security Cash Fund Commission (transition to CSA with a new surcharge mechanism).
- Replaces the $5 court security surcharge (ending Sept 1, 2027) with a $10 court security surcharge beginning July 1, 2027, deposited into the CSA.
- The CSA uses surcharge revenue to grant counties for court security staffing, equipment, training, and general system-wide court security needs; may also fund the State Court Administrator’s Office for system-wide security.
- Adds a robust grant criteria framework prioritizing counties by population, income, property tax revenues, and poverty metrics; also allows targeted grants for probation offices.
- Requires annual reporting on surcharge collection, grant distributions, and security implementations to key legislative committees starting Jan 2028 and ongoing.
6) Judicial security standards and practices
- Establishes a Judicial Security Task Force (to be convened by the State Court Administrator) to develop recommended standards for security at courthouses and related facilities; includes hearings and a progress report due by Jan 1, 2027; task force can continue meeting after that date if needed.
- Task force addresses secure public access points, secure access for judges and staff, high-profile trial security, secure parking, secure public spaces, and local security committee structures.
7) Law enforcement and courthouse entry controls
- Counties’ sheriffs must use recommended standards for court security (including secure single-point access, magnetometers during court sessions, and logging firearm entries).
8) Public records and disclosures
- Updates related to public access and disclosure of personal information:
- The Secretary of State’s website disclosure requirements for certain political committees are revised (some public disclosure provisions repealed or narrowed).
- Revisions to property disclosure requirements for elected/appointed state officials (removes legal description of real property in some contexts).
- Expands the definition of “protected person” to include judicial employees, elected officials, and staff, with added civil remedies for improper publication of protected-person data.
9) Conforming changes
- Various cross-references updated to reflect the Capitol Complex terminology and the renamed SAAs.
- Adds the Court Security Authority to the list of state authorities.
Effective timeline highlights
- July 1, 2026: Legislative safety framework begins to take shape; ALS appointment authority established.
- July 1, 2027: The new $10 court security surcharge takes effect; transition of funding to the Court Security Authority from the old fund begins.
- September 1, 2027: Repeal of the old Court Security Cash Fund and commission.
- August 31, 2027: Transfer of remaining Court Security Cash Fund balance to the Court Security Authority.
- January 31, 2028: First required annual report on the Court Security Surcharge and grant activity (and subsequent yearly reports).
Who would be affected
- Members and employees of the Colorado General Assembly (and other “covered individuals” chosen by the executive committee).
- The Colorado State Patrol and local law enforcement partners coordinating Capitol-area security.
- Serjeants at Arms (SAAs) in each house, now under supervision with ALS coordination.
- The Governor’s Mansion protection details (CSP).
- Counties and the State Court Administrator’s Office receiving grants from the Court Security Authority to improve courthouse security.
- Judicial employees and elected officials, as well as staff of elected officials, through expanded protection and data-protection provisions.
Notes
- The bill proposes substantial structural changes to security leadership, funding mechanisms, and standards across legislative and judicial branches, with a clear shift toward centralized coordination (ALS and CSA) and an emphasis on risk-based funding for security improvements.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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