Read the full stored bill text
Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 26-0091.01 Richard Sweetman x4333 HOUSE BILL 26-1132
House Committees Senate Committees
Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING INCREASING POLLINATOR HABITATS ON LANDS IN THE101
STATE.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill encourages the state forest service, the department of
natural resources, the department of personnel, and the department of
transportation (covered agency) to prioritize the use of in-state sources of
ecoregionally specific plant material that supports pollinator habitats
when certain conditions are met. In planning and executing a vegetation
project, each covered agency is required to satisfy certain requirements.
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Froelich,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Kipp,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
To the extent practicable, each covered agency shall coordinate
with the other covered agencies with regard to purchasing.
Each covered agency shall establish a training program for land
managers and maintenance crews that includes certain minimum
components.
To the extent practicable, each covered agency shall integrate
mowing and grazing based on recommendations included in the 2022
study commissioned by the department of natural resources pursuant to
Senate Bill 22-199.
The bill requires the office of the state architect to support and
encourage the development and renovation of sustainable sites to
maximize pollinator health on properties within the state capitol complex,
other state buildings, and, where applicable, on leased property.
The bill requires the Colorado state university extension
(extension) to perform a Colorado native plant availability study in
consultation with certain parties. On or before August 1, 2031, the
extension shall issue a report summarizing the results of the study. The
extension shall make the report publicly available on its website and
provide copies of the report to the governor and specified legislative
committees of reference.
The extension may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and
donations for the purpose of implementing the bill. The extension is not
required to perform the study or issue a report unless and until the
extension acquires sufficient gifts, grants, and donations to pay for the
performance of such duties.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds that:3
(a) Native plants are species that have evolved over thousands of4
years in ecosystems and are adapted to the local climate, soil, hydrology,5
and interactions with wildlife;6
(b) Colorado is home to a diverse array of at least 3,300 native7
plant species that support critical ecosystem functions, promote8
biodiversity, and contribute to the state's natural heritage and scenic9
beauty;10
(c) Native plants form the foundation of essential habitat and food11
HB26-1132-2-
sources for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife species, many of which1
are in decline due to habitat loss, urbanization, drought, climate change,2
invasive species, and other environmental stressors;3
(d) Increasing the availability and diversity of native plant4
materials used in landscaping, habitat restoration, agriculture, and5
conservation efforts helps to conserve water resources, prevent soil6
erosion, and improve resilience to drought and wildfire;7
(e) Promoting the propagation, protection, and use of native plants8
supports the objectives of Colorado's outdoors strategy, the division of9
parks and wildlife's statewide habitat conservation and connectivity plan,10
the state wildlife action plan, Colorado's climate preparedness roadmap,11
and other state and local environmental initiatives;12
(f) Coordination among state agencies, growers, seed suppliers,13
and community partners is essential to ensure access to native plant14
materials; and15
(g) Colorado has an opportunity and a responsibility to lead by16
example by creating a statewide framework to align efforts, increase17
availability and diversity of native plants, and use collective buying18
power to reduce the costs of native plant materials to protect Colorado's19
environment for future generations.20
(2) The general assembly further finds that:21
(a) In 2022, in response to Senate Bill 22-199, the department of22
natural resources commissioned a collaborative study on native23
pollinating insects;24
(b) The study was conducted by the Colorado state university25
extension, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and the26
university of Colorado museum of natural history, in consultation with27
HB26-1132-3-
state and federal agencies, researchers, scientists, and land managers1
across the state;2
(c) The study documents how Colorado is home to a rich3
community of native insects whose pollinating services are at the heart of4
healthy environments and economies, but concludes that, overall, the5
status of Colorado's native pollinating insects is tenuous, with the primary6
drivers of decline being habitat loss, inadequate land-management7
practices, pesticides, competition from nonnative species, and climate8
change, among others; and9
(d) The study states that promoting policies that benefit native10
pollinating insects and increase the native plants on which they depend11
represents the biggest opportunity to foster healthy and sustainable12
pollinator populations, especially in agricultural and urban habitats, and13
identifies the 5 highest areas of immediate action and priorities as14
follows:15
(I) Priority 1: Protect imperiled native pollinating insects;16
(II) Priority 2: Protect, restore, and connect pollinator habitats;17
(III) Priority 3: Mitigate environmental changes that negatively18
impact pollinators and their habitats;19
(IV) Priority 4: Reduce the risks from pesticides to pollinating20
insects; and21
(V) Priority 5: Monitor and support native and managed pollinator22
health.23
(3) The general assembly further finds that in 2024, in House Bill24
24-1117, the general assembly directed the division of parks and wildlife25
in the department of natural resources to study and determine the26
conservation needs of native rare plants and invertebrates and implement27
HB26-1132-4-
voluntary programs to conserve and protect them.1
(4) Therefore, the general assembly:2
(a) Declares that it is in the public interest of the state to promote3
the use, protection, and restoration of native plant species for the benefit4
of current and future generations; and5
(b) Encourages public and private stakeholders to take action to6
conserve Colorado's native plants.7
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-31-322 as8
follows:9
23-31-322. Use of native plants in projects - definitions.10
(1) Definitions. AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT11
OTHERWISE REQUIRES:12
(a) "COVERED AGENCY" MEANS:13
(I) THE STATE FOREST SERVICE DESCRIBED WITHIN THIS PART 3;14
(II) T HE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CREATED IN15
SECTION 24-1-124; EXCEPT THAT THE STATE BOARD OF LAND16
COMMISSIONERS DESCRIBED IN ARTICLE 1 OF TITLE 36 IS NOT A COVERED17
AGENCY;18
(III) T HE DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL CREATED IN SECTION19
24-1-128; AND20
(IV) THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CREATED IN SECTION21
24-1-128.7.22
(b) "ECOREGIONALLY SPECIFIC" MEANS THAT PLANT MATERIALS23
ARE SPECIFIC TO A LEVEL III ECOREGION, AS DESIGNATED BY THE UNITED24
STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY.25
(c) "N ATIVE PLANT " HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN SECTION26
35-5.5-103 (15).27
HB26-1132-5-
(d) "P ROJECT" MEANS A RESTORATION , RENOVATION ,1
LANDSCAPING, NEW CONSTRUCTION, OR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT THAT:2
(I) IS ON STATE-OWNED LAND;3
(II) IS MANAGED ENTIRELY BY ONE OR MORE STATE AGENCIES;4
(III) INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OR PLANTING OF VEGETATION;5
AND6
(IV) DOES NOT RELY SOLELY OR PARTIALLY ON FUNDING FROM7
STATE GRANTS OR LOANS.8
(e) "PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH9
IN SECTION 24-94-102 (8).10
(f) "REGIONAL NURSERY" MEANS A PRIVATELY OWNED NURSERY11
IN THE STATE THAT COORDINATES WITH THE STATE FOREST SERVICE AND12
THE STATE NURSERY.13
(g) "SEED WAREHOUSE" MEANS THE ESCALANTE STATE WILDLIFE14
AREA SEED STORAGE BUILDING OPERATED BY THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND15
WILDLIFE WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.16
(h) "STATE NURSERY" MEANS THE STATE NURSERY OPERATED BY17
THE STATE FOREST SERVICE.18
(i) "S TUDY" MEANS THE COLLABORATIVE STUDY ON NATIVE19
POLLINATING INSECTS COMMISSIONED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL20
RESOURCES IN 2022 IN RESPONSE TO SENATE BILL 22-199.21
(2) Use of native plants in projects.22
(a) EACH COVERED AGENCY IS ENCOURAGED TO PRIORITIZE THE23
USE OF IN -STATE SOURCES OF ECOREGIONALLY SPECIFIC NATIVE PLANT24
MATERIAL THAT SUPPORTS POLLINATOR HABITATS WHEN:25
(I) SUCH PLANT MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE;26
(II) SUCH USE IS FINANCIALLY VIABLE; AND27
HB26-1132-6-
(III) S UCH PLANT MATERIAL CAN BE USED IN A MANNER THAT1
FURTHERS PLANT DIVERSITY, INCREASES POLLINATOR HABITAT, MINIMIZES2
WILDFIRE HAZARD MITIGATION , ENHANCES CLIMATE RESILIENCE , AND3
PROTECTS WATERSHED HEALTH.4
(b) I N PLANNING AND EXECUTING A PROJECT , EACH COVERED5
AGENCY SHALL:6
(I) B ALANCE THE BENEFITS OF USING NATIVE PLANT MATERIAL7
WITH OTHER PRIORITIES, INCLUDING WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION; CLIMATE8
RESILIENCE; SPECIES PROTECTION AND RECOVERY ; FEDERALLY LISTED ,9
ENDANGERED, AND THREATENED SPECIES PROTECTION ; NOXIOUS WEED10
CONTROL; PUBLIC SAFETY; AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION; AND EQUITY AND11
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONSIDERATIONS;12
(II) C ONSIDER ECOLOGICAL SUITABILITY , SITE -SPECIFIC13
CONDITIONS, AND AVAILABILITY OF PLANT MATERIALS WHEN SELECTING14
NATIVE PLANTS; AND15
(III) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE , INCLUDE MULTIPLE SPECIES16
WITH OVERLAPPING BLOOM PERIODS, INCLUDING A DIVERSITY OF FLOWER17
SHAPES AND COLORS , TO PROVIDE NECTAR AND POLLEN RESOURCES18
THROUGHOUT THE GROWING SEASON.19
(c) EACH COVERED AGENCY SHALL INTEGRATE INTO ITS PLANNING20
PROCESSES FIVE -YEAR AND TEN -YEAR GOALS FOR NATIVE PLANT21
MATERIAL USE IN THEIR PROJECTS.22
(3) Coordinated purchasing and supply development.23
(a) TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, EACH COVERED AGENCY SHALL24
COORDINATE WITH THE OTHER COVERED AGENCIES WITH REGARD TO25
PURCHASING IN ORDER TO:26
(I) I NCREASE DEMAND FOR IN -STATE NATIVE PLANT MATERIAL27
HB26-1132-7-
BUSINESS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES;1
(II) REDUCE COSTS THROUGH PURCHASING POWER;2
(III) ENSURE SUPPLY OF APPROPRIATE NATIVE PLANT MATERIAL3
AND REASONABLE PROPAGATION AND GROWING TIMELINES;4
(IV) U SE THEIR COLLECTIVE BUYING POWER TO CREATE AN5
INCREASED SUPPLY OF NATIVE PLANTS AND NATIVE PLANT SEEDS; AND6
(V) ENHANCE THE SUPPLY OF , AND ACCESS TO, STATE-SOURCED7
NATIVE PLANT MATERIAL IN STATE AND PRIVATE NURSERIES AND IN STATE8
COLLECTIONS OF SEEDS TO INCREASE ACCESS AND DIVERSITY.9
(b) EACH COVERED AGENCY, IN FULFILLING ITS DUTIES UNDER THIS10
SECTION, SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE SEED WAREHOUSE , THE STATE11
NURSERY, REGIONAL NURSERIES , AND PRIVATE NURSERIES . THE STATE12
NURSERY SHALL ANNUALLY SHARE ITS INVENTORY WITH COVERED13
AGENCIES WHEN THE SPRING INVENTORY IS ESTABLISHED.14
(c) A COVERED AGENCY MAY ENTER INTO A PUBLIC -PRIVATE15
PARTNERSHIP FOR SEED COLLECTION ON STATE LANDS.16
(4) Training on native plants.17
(a) E ACH COVERED AGENCY , IN COORDINATION WITH PRIVATE18
PARTNERS, SHALL ESTABLISH A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR LAND MANAGERS19
AND MAINTENANCE CREWS THAT INCLUDES:20
(I) IDENTIFICATION OF NATIVE PLANTS, IMPORTANT FLORAL AND21
HOST PLANTS, AND POLLINATOR HOST SPECIES; AND22
(II) BEST PRACTICES FOR POLLINATOR CONSERVATION AND NATIVE23
PLANT ESTABLISHMENT.24
(b) I N FULFILLING ITS DUTIES UNDER THIS SUBSECTION (4), A25
COVERED AGENCY MAY SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND AVAILABLE FEDERAL26
RESOURCES REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF NATIVE PLANTS.27
HB26-1132-8-
(c) A COVERED AGENCY MAY SEEK AND ENTER INTO PRIVATE1
PARTNERSHIPS TO DEVELOP THE TRAINING PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN THIS2
SUBSECTION (4) SO LONG AS THE PRIVATE PARTNERS HAVE EXPERTISE IN3
POLLINATOR HEALTH, CLIMATE CHANGE , ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND4
RESILIENCE, BIODIVERSITY , NATIVE PLANTS , OR ECOLOGICAL LAND5
MANAGEMENT.6
(5) Land management practices.7
(a) O N AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2028, TO THE EXTENT8
PRACTICABLE, EACH COVERED AGENCY SHALL INTEGRATE MOWING AND9
GRAZING BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED IN THE STUDY.10
(b) EACH COVERED AGENCY, AS APPROPRIATE, SHALL:11
(I) ESTABLISH POLLINATOR HABITAT ZONES ON ROADWAYS AND ON12
PUBLIC LANDS;13
(II) USE SIGNAGE TO IDENTIFY SUCH ZONES; AND14
(III) P ROHIBIT THE MOWING OF GRASS WITHIN SUCH A ZONE ,15
EXCEPT AS MAY BE NECESSARY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.16
(c) EACH COVERED AGENCY SHALL INCORPORATE INTERSEEDING,17
OVERSEEDING, AND TRANSPLANTING OF NATIVE PLANTS AND NATIVE18
PLANT MATERIALS , INCLUDING FOR THE RESTORATION OF NATIVE19
HABITATS.20
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-30-1303, add21
(1)(gg) as follows:22
24-30-1303. Office of the state architect - responsibilities.23
(1) The office of the state architect shall:24
(gg) S UPPORT AND ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT AND25
RENOVATION OF SUSTAINABLE SITES TO MAXIMIZE POLLINATOR HEALTH26
ON PROPERTIES WITHIN THE STATE CAPITOL COMPLEX , OTHER STATE27
HB26-1132-9-
BUILDINGS, AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, ON LEASED PROPERTY, INCLUDING1
BY:2
(I) M AXIMIZING THE USE OF NATIVE PLANT MATERIAL AND3
POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY PLANTS IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN PLANS;4
(II) MODIFYING THE STATE'S DESIGN GUIDELINES TO INCORPORATE5
NATIVE PLANTS AND POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY PLANTS;6
(III) E NSURING THAT STATE -FUNDED PROJECTS USE7
PESTICIDE-FREE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE;8
AND9
(IV) T O THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE , ENSURING THAT STATE10
CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF PLANTS REQUIRE SUCH PLANTS TO NOT11
CONTAIN SYNTHETIC PESTICIDES.12
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-31-708 as13
follows: 14
23-31-708. Colorado native plant availability study - legislative15
declaration - consulting parties - study components - gifts, grants,16
and donations - report - definition - repeal.17
(1) Legislative declaration.18
(a) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT:19
(I) THE COLLABORATIVE STUDY ON NATIVE POLLINATING INSECTS20
COMMISSIONED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN 2022 IN21
RESPONSE TO SENATE BILL 22-199 IDENTIFIED HABITAT LOSS AS A22
PRIMARY THREAT TO POLLINATOR HEALTH AND THE INSUFFICIENT23
AVAILABILITY OF NECESSARY NATIVE PLANTS AND SEEDS AS A MAJOR24
LIMITING FACTOR TO CREATING POLLINATOR HABITATS; AND25
(II) T HE STUDY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE STATE TAKE26
ACTION TO ENCOURAGE THE INCREASE OF NATIVE PLANT AND SEED27
HB26-1132-10-
PRODUCTION AND USE STATEWIDE.1
(b) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ALSO FINDS THAT:2
(I) D ESPITE GROWING INTEREST IN NATIVE PLANTS , COLORADO3
LACKS A COMPREHENSIVE, COORDINATED UNDERSTANDING OF STATEWIDE4
NATIVE PLANT SUPPLY AND DEMAND, INCLUDING AN UNDERSTANDING OF:5
(A) B ARRIERS FACED BY GROWERS , DISTRIBUTORS , LAND6
MANAGERS, AND CONSUMERS; AND7
(B) OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING THE SUPPLY OF NATIVE PLANT8
MATERIAL;9
(II) STRATEGIC STATE COORDINATION CAN STRENGTHEN PRIVATE10
MARKETS, REDUCE RISK FOR GROWERS, SUPPORT CONSERVATION GOALS,11
AND ENSURE THAT PUBLIC INVESTMENTS IN RESTORATION AND12
LANDSCAPING ACHIEVE LONG-TERM ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS; AND13
(III) T HE SERVICE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STATE AGENCIES AND14
STAKEHOLDERS, IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO CONDUCT A RIGOROUS ,15
IMPARTIAL, AND APPLIED STUDY TO INFORM POLICY AND MARKET16
DEVELOPMENT.17
(c) THEREFORE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT IT IS IN18
THE BEST INTEREST OF THE STATE TO DIRECT THE SERVICE TO PERFORM A19
STATEWIDE STUDY TO:20
(I) ASSESS THE NATIVE PLANT SUPPLY CHAIN; AND21
(II) RECOMMEND STRATEGIES TO RESPONSIBLY INCREASE BOTH22
THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF NATIVE PLANTS.23
(2) Study - consulting agencies - definition. THE SERVICE SHALL24
PERFORM A COLORADO NATIVE PLANT AVAILABILITY STUDY, REFERRED TO25
IN THIS SECTION AS THE "STUDY". IN PERFORMING THE STUDY , THE26
SERVICE SHALL CONSULT WITH:27
HB26-1132-11-
(a) THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE;1
(b) THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES;2
(c) THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION;3
(d) THE STATE FOREST SERVICE;4
(e) SEED AND PLANT WAREHOUSES AND NURSERIES IN THE STATE;5
(f) PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NATIVE SEED AND PLANT GROWERS;6
(g) L ANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS , RESTORATION CONTRACTORS ,7
AND NURSERY OPERATORS;8
(h) TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS, WHERE APPROPRIATE;9
(i) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND WATER PROVIDERS; AND10
(j) CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS AND RESEARCHERS.11
(3) Study scope and requirements.12
(a) T HE STUDY MUST INCLUDE AN ANALYSIS OF THE SUPPLY OF13
NATIVE PLANT MATERIAL IN THE STATE, WHICH ANALYSIS INCLUDES:14
(I) A N ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT NATIVE PLANT AND SEED15
PRODUCTION IN COLORADO, INCLUDING:16
(A) SPECIES AVAILABILITY;17
(B) PRODUCTION CAPACITY;18
(C) GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF GROWERS AND SELLERS;19
(D) P RICE STRUCTURES AND COST DRIVERS , INCLUDING20
CONSIDERATION OF WHETHER COORDINATED NATIVE PLANT MATERIAL21
PURCHASING WILL SAVE MONEY; AND22
(E) CONSTRAINTS, SUCH AS LAND, LABOR, WATER, SOURCE SEED23
AND PLANT ACCESS, GENETICS, AND REGULATORY BARRIERS;24
(II) IDENTIFICATION OF GROWER CONCERNS, INCLUDING:25
(A) MARKET UNCERTAINTY AND INCONSISTENT DEMAND;26
(B) UP-FRONT INVESTMENT RISKS;27
HB26-1132-12-
(C) SEED AND PLANT SOURCING AND GENETIC INTEGRITY;1
(D) CONTRACT RELIABILITY AND PAYMENT TIMING; AND2
(E) P ROPAGATION COMPLEXITIES AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS3
CONCERNING NATIVE SPECIES; AND4
(III) E VALUATION OF WEAK POINTS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN ,5
INCLUDING CONSIDERATION OF:6
(A) SEED COLLECTION AND STORAGE;7
(B) DISTRIBUTION AND TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES; AND8
(C) REGIONAL MISMATCHES BETWEEN PRODUCTION AND DEMAND.9
(b) THE STUDY MUST INCLUDE AN ANALYSIS OF THE DEMAND FOR10
NATIVE PLANTS AND SEEDS IN THE STATE, WHICH ANALYSIS INCLUDES:11
(I) A SSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND PROJECTED DEMAND FOR12
NATIVE PLANTS AND SEEDS, INCLUDING:13
(A) STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECTS;14
(B) TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS;15
(C) HABITAT RESTORATION AND MITIGATION;16
(D) R ESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL , AND INSTITUTIONAL17
LANDSCAPING; AND18
(E) AGRICULTURAL AND CONSERVATION USES; AND19
(II) ANALYSIS OF BARRIERS TO DEMAND, INCLUDING:20
(A) LIMITED CONSUMER AWARENESS;21
(B) M ISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT COST , AESTHETICS , AND22
MAINTENANCE;23
(C) INCONSISTENT SPECIFICATIONS IN PUBLIC CONTRACTS; AND24
(D) LACK OF REGIONAL PLANT LISTS AND GUIDANCE APPLICABLE25
TO COLORADO.26
(c) THE STUDY MUST INCLUDE AN ANALYSIS OF THE DISTRIBUTION27
HB26-1132-13-
OF, AND ACCESS TO , NATIVE PLANTS AND SEEDS IN THE STATE , WHICH1
ANALYSIS INCLUDES:2
(I) E VALUATION OF EXISTING DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS AND3
ACCESS TO NATIVE PLANTS AND SEEDS ACROSS URBAN , SUBURBAN, AND4
RURAL AREAS; AND5
(II) IDENTIFICATION OF OPPORTUNITIES TO:6
(A) IMPROVE STATEWIDE DISTRIBUTION EFFICIENCY;7
(B) EXPAND REGIONAL AVAILABILITY; AND8
(C) SUPPORT THE ROLE OF THE SEED WAREHOUSE, AS DEFINED IN9
SECTION 23-31-322 (1)(g), INCLUDING HOW AND WHERE TO INCREASE10
NATIVE SEED STORAGE MOST ECONOMICALLY BASED ON GEOGRAPHIC11
NEED.12
(d) T HE STUDY MUST CONSIDER EDUCATION , TECHNICAL13
ASSISTANCE, AND KNOWLEDGE GAPS, INCLUDING;14
(I) I DENTIFICATION OF GAPS IN CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AMONG15
GROWERS, DESIGNERS, CONTRACTORS, AND CONSUMERS;16
(II) E VALUATION OF EXISTING EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND17
IDENTIFICATION OF UNMET NEEDS; AND18
(III) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TARGETED EDUCATION, TECHNICAL19
ASSISTANCE, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING THE ROLE OF20
THE SERVICE.21
(e) THE STUDY MUST INCLUDE BEST PRACTICES AND INCENTIVES22
FOR ACQUIRING AND USING NATIVE PLANTS AND SEEDS IN THE STATE ,23
INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION OF:24
(I) B EST PRACTICES FROM COLORADO AND OTHER STATES FOR25
EXPANDING NATIVE PLANT MARKETS;26
(II) I NCREMENTAL STRATEGIES TO GROW SUPPLY AND DEMAND27
HB26-1132-14-
CONCURRENTLY; AND1
(III) P OTENTIAL INCENTIVES , INCLUDING CONTRACTING AND2
INCENTIVE REFORMS , COST -SHARE PROGRAMS , PILOT PURCHASE3
AGREEMENTS , CERTIFICATION OR LABELING PROGRAMS , AND4
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.5
(4) Report.6
(a) ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 1, 2031, THE SERVICE SHALL ISSUE A7
REPORT SUMMARIZING THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY. THE SERVICE SHALL8
MAKE THE REPORT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON ITS WEBSITE AND PROVIDE9
COPIES OF THE REPORT TO:10
(I) THE GOVERNOR; AND11
(II) T HE AGRICULTURE , WATER , AND NATURAL RESOURCES12
COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE AGRICULTURE13
AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE , OR TO ANY14
SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES.15
(b) THE REPORT MUST INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING:16
(I) SHORT-TERM, MEDIUM-TERM, AND LONG-TERM STRATEGIES TO17
INCREASE SUPPLY AND DEMAND OF NATIVE PLANTS AND SEEDS18
INCREMENTALLY;19
(II) P OLICY INCENTIVES AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO20
IMPROVE MARKET CERTAINTY;21
(III) OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS; AND22
(IV) METRICS TO MEASURE PROGRESS AND EFFECTIVENESS OVER23
TIME.24
(5) Gifts, grants, and donations.25
(a) THE SERVICE MAY SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS,26
AND DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF27
HB26-1132-15-
IMPLEMENTING THIS SECTION.1
(b) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PROVISION OF THIS SECTION TO THE2
CONTRARY, THE SERVICE IS NOT REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE DUTIES3
DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION UNLESS AND UNTIL THE SERVICE ACQUIRES4
SUFFICIENT GIFTS , GRANTS , AND DONATIONS TO PAY FOR THE5
PERFORMANCE OF SUCH DUTIES.6
(6) Repeal. THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1,7
2031.8
SECTION 5. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act9
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the10
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August11
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a12
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the13
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act14
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect15
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in16
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the17
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.18
HB26-1132-16-