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Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 26-0731.01 Renee Leone x2695 HOUSE BILL 26-1251
House Committees Senate Committees
Finance
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE CREATION OF AN EQUAL JUSTICE LICENSE PLATE101
THAT A PERSON QUALIFIES FO R BY DONATING TO THE EQUAL102
JUSTICE AUTHORITY.103
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 creates the equal justice license plate (plate). An applicant
becomes eligible for the plate by making a donation to the equal justice
authority (authority). The department of revenue (department) will collect
the donation on behalf of, and remit the money to, the authority. The
authority must spend the donation in the same manner as currently
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Joseph and Woodrow,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
(None),
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.
required by law for the equal justice fee.
In addition to the donation and the normal fees for a license plate,
a person must pay 2 additional one-time fees in the amount of $25, one
of which is credited to the highway users tax fund and the other to the
Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account.
The bill allows the department to seek, accept, and expend gifts,
grants, and donations, and mandates that the department will not
commence work on the creation of the plate until the department has
received sufficient gifts, grants, and donations to cover the cost of
creating the plate and any other related administrative or programming
needs.
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) Access to justice is a basic principle of the rule of law and4
ensures that all public and private people, institutions, and entities,5
including the state, are held accountable to laws that are publicly adopted,6
equally enforced, and independently adjudicated;7
(b) Without access to justice, people would be unable to exercise8
their rights, have their voices heard, challenge discrimination, or hold9
decision-makers accountable;10
(c) Providing civil legal aid to people with low incomes is vital to11
Colorado's missions, including those that involve providing justice for12
victims of intimate partner violence, ensuring that veterans receive their13
well-earned benefits, protecting the elder population from abuse, fighting14
human trafficking, and safeguarding access to necessities such as food15
and shelter;16
(d) Without access to civil legal representation, laws and17
protections are often unenforceable for Coloradans with low incomes;18
(e) Adequately funded legal aid in certain civil matters reinforces19
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the importance of the right to counsel to ensure a fair trial;1
(f) Equal access to justice would have little effective meaning if2
an individual could not afford that right on the basis of income; and3
(g) The donation to the equal justice authority for the purpose of4
obtaining the equal justice license plate supports users of Colorado courts5
and promotes equal access to justice, legal aid, and court efficiency, and6
the donation:7
(I) Allows drivers who obtain the equal justice license plate to8
display their support for equal access to justice and increased court9
efficiency;10
(II) Is an amount that is based on the overall cost of the services11
provided by the equal justice authority; and12
(III) Is not a tax.13
(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that the lack of14
access to civil legal justice is a problem that has serious social, legal,15
economic, and political consequences, and the general assembly creates16
the equal justice license plate to:17
(a) Provide funding for equal access to justice in Colorado;18
(b) Provide Colorado drivers a means to display their support of19
equal access to justice; and 20
(c) Reaffirm the general assembly's commitment to equal access21
to the civil legal process.22
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 42-3-272 as23
follows:24
42-3-272. Special plates - equal justice - legislative declaration.25
(1) BEGINNING ON THE EARLIER OF JANUARY 1, 2028, OR WHEN26
THE DEPARTMENT IS ABLE TO ISSUE THE PLATE , AND ONLY AFTER THE27
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DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED SUFFICIENT GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS1
FROM PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SOURCES, AS PERMITTED IN SUBSECTION (7) OF2
THIS SECTION , TO COVER THE COST OF CREATING THE PLATE AND ANY3
OTHER RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE OR PROGRAMMING NEEDS , THE4
DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES TO QUALIFIED5
APPLICANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION FOR MOTORCYCLES ,6
PASSENGER CARS , TRUCKS , OR NONCOMMERCIAL OR RECREATIONAL7
MOTOR VEHICLES THAT DO NOT EXCEED SIXTEEN THOUS AND POUNDS8
EMPTY WEIGHT.9
(2) (a) THE EQUAL JUSTICE LICENSE PLATE IS ESTABLISHED.10
(b) T HE DEPARTMENT SHALL USE A DESIGN FROM THE EQUAL11
JUSTICE AUTHORITY, CREATED IN SECTION 13-5.7-202. THE DESIGN MUST12
CONFORM TO DEPARTMENT STANDARDS AND BE APPROVED BY THE13
DEPARTMENT.14
(3) (a) A PERSON MAY APPLY FOR AN EQUAL JUSTICE LICENSE15
PLATE IF THE PERSON PAYS THE TAXES AND FEES REQUIRED IN THIS16
SECTION AND PAYS A DONATION , IN AN AMOUNT OF AT LEAST FIFTY17
DOLLARS, AS SET BY THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY BOARD PURSUANT TO18
SECTION 13-5.7-208 (3), TO THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY.19
(b) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOT RENEW THE REGISTRATION OF AN20
EQUAL JUSTICE LICENSE PLATE UNLESS THE PERSON THAT WAS ISSUED THE21
LICENSE PLATE PAYS A RENEWAL DONATION, IN AN AMOUNT OF AT LEAST22
FIFTY DOLLARS , AS SET BY THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY BOARD23
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13-5.7-208 (3), TO THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY.24
(c) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLLECT THE EQUAL JUSTICE LICENSE25
PLATE DONATION REQUIRED IN SUBSECTIONS (3)(a) AND (3)(b) OF THIS26
SECTION ON BEHALF OF THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY IN THE SAME27
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MANNER IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT COLLECTS OTHER TAXES AND FEES;1
EXCEPT THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOT TRANSMIT THE COLLECTED2
DONATION TO THE STATE TREASURER FOR DEPOSIT IN A STATE FUND BUT3
SHALL REMIT THE MONEY TO THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY.4
(d) T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT5
DONATIONS RECEIVED UNDER SUBSECTIONS (3)(a) AND (3)(b) OF THIS6
SECTION ARE CUSTODIAL FUNDS AND , THEREFORE, ARE NOT SUBJECT TO7
APPROPRIATION OR TO SECTION 20 OF ARTICLE X OF THE STATE8
CONSTITUTION.9
(4) THE AMOUNT OF THE TAXES AND FEES FOR A SPECIAL LICENSE10
PLATE REQUIRED UNDER THIS SECTION IS THE SAME AS THE AMOUNT OF11
THE TAXES AND FEES FOR A REGULAR MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE PLATE ;12
EXCEPT THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLLECT THE FEE SPECIFIED IN13
SECTION 42-3-312 AND AN ADDITIONAL ONE -TIME FEE OF TWENTY -FIVE14
DOLLARS FOR ISSUANCE OR REPLACEMENT OF THE SPECIAL LICENSE15
PLATES. THE STATE TREASURER SHALL CREDIT THE FEE TO THE HIGHWAY16
USERS TAX FUND CREATED IN SECTION 43-4-201.17
(5) A N APPLICANT MAY APPLY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR18
PERSONALIZED EQUAL JUSTICE LICENSE PLATES. UPON PAYMENT OF THE19
ADDITIONAL FEE REQUIRED BY SECTION 42-3-211 (6)(a) FOR20
PERSONALIZED LICENSE PLATES, THE DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE THE PLATES21
IF THE APPLICANT COMPLIES WITH SECTION 42-3-211. IF AN APPLICANT22
HAS EXISTING PERSONALIZED LICENSE PLATES FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE, THE23
APPLICANT MAY TRANSFER THE COMBINATION OF LETTERS OR NUMBERS24
TO A NEW SET OF EQUAL JUSTICE LICENSE PLATES FOR THE VEHICLE UPON25
PAYING THE FEE REQUIRED BY SECTION 42-3-211 (6)(a) AND UPON26
TURNING IN THE EXISTING PLATES TO THE DEPARTMENT. A PERSON THAT27
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HAS OBTAINED PERSONALIZED LICENSE PLATES UNDER THIS SUBSECTION1
(5) MUST PAY THE ANNUAL FEE IMPOSED BY SECTION 42-3-211 (6)(b) TO2
RENEW THE PERSONALIZED PLATES . THE FEES ASSESSED UNDER THIS3
SUBSECTION (5) ARE IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER APPLICABLE TAXES AND4
FEES.5
(6) THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY SHALL RECEIVE THE MONEY6
COLLECTED FROM AN EQUAL JUSTICE LICENSE PLATE DONATION AS SET7
FORTH IN SECTION 13-5.7-208 AND DISTRIBUTE THE MONEY RECEIVED IN8
THE MANNER SET FORTH IN SECTION 13-5.7-206 (1) AND (2).9
(7) T HE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEK , ACCEPT , AND EXPEND GIFTS ,10
GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE11
PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.12
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 42-3-312 as13
follows:14
42-3-312. Special license plate surcharge. In addition to any15
other fee imposed by this article 3, an applicant for a special license plate16
created by rule in accordance with section 42-3-207, as the section existed17
when the plate was created, personalized plates issued under section18
42-3-211, or special license plates issued under sections 42-3-212 to19
42-3-214, sections 42-3-217 to 42-3-218, sections 42-3-221 to 42-3-234,20
sections 42-3-237 to 42-3-258, sections 42-3-260 to 42-3-265, and21
sections 42-3-267 to 42-3-271 42-3-272 shall pay an issuance fee of22
twenty-five dollars; except that the fee is not imposed on special license23
plates exempted from additional fees for the issuance of a military special24
license plate by section 42-3-213 (1)(b)(II). The department shall transfer25
the money from the fee to the state treasurer, who shall credit it to the26
Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account created in section 42-1-21127
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(2).1
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-5.7-203, amend2
(1)(i) as follows:3
13-5.7-203. General powers.4
(1) In addition to any other powers granted to the authority in this5
part 2, the authority has the following powers:6
(i) To contract for and to accept any gifts, grants, OR DONATIONS,7
INCLUDING DONATIONS MADE TO APPLY FOR OR RENEW THE EQUAL8
JUSTICE LICENSE PLATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 42-3-272, and loans of9
funds, property, or any other aid in any form from the federal10
government, the state, any A state agency, or any other source, or any11
combination thereof, and to comply, subject to the provisions of this part12
2, with the terms and conditions of such contracts or the acceptance of13
such items;14
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-5.7-206, amend15
(1) as follows:16
13-5.7-206. Distribution of equal justice fees - purpose.17
(1) On July 1, 2025, and each July 1 thereafter EACH YEAR ON18
JULY 1, the authority shall annually distribute all money deposited into the19
authority's account as require d by section 13-5.7-205 (2) SECTIONS20
13-5.7-205 (2) AND 13-5.7-208, less the authority's direct and indirect21
expenses in administering the requirements of this part 2 and any other22
related work completed to advance the mission of the authority. The23
authority shall distribute sixty-seven percent of the remaining revenue to24
the Colorado recipient of a federal legal services corporation field grant25
and thirty-three percent to qualified civil legal aid providers.26
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 13-5.7-208 as27
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follows:1
13-5.7-208. Equal justice license plate - donations.2
(1) THE AUTHORITY MAY RECEIVE MONEY FROM THE DEPARTMENT3
OF REVENUE THAT WAS COLLECTED IN THE FORM OF A DONATION MADE BY4
A PERSON TO APPLY FOR OR RENEW THEIR REGISTRATION FOR THE EQUAL5
JUSTICE LICENSE PLATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 42-3-272.6
(2) THE AUTHORITY SHALL DEPOSIT THE MONEY COLLECTED FROM7
DONATIONS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION IN8
AN ACCOUNT IN A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.9
(3) T HE AUTHORITY SHALL ANNUALLY SET THE REQUIRED10
DONATION FOR THE ISS UANCE OR RENEWAL OF THE E QUAL JUSTICE11
LICENSE PLATE IN AN AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN FIFTY DOLLARS.12
(4) MONEY RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITY FROM THE DEPARTMENT13
OF REVENUE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IS NOT STATE REVENUE.14
SECTION 7. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act15
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the16
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August17
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a18
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the19
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or pa rt of this act20
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect21
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in22
November 2026 a nd, in such case, will take effect on the date of the23
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.24
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