SB 25-120: Nuclear Workforce Development & Education Program

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

The bill creates the Colorado nuclear workforce development and education program (program) in the department of higher education (department) council (council) in the Colorado school of mines to help meet growing workforce demand in the nuclear energy sector. The bill establishes a related grant program (grant program) to provide grants to institutions of higher education for the development or expansion of nuclear engineering degree or certificate programs or course offerings. The Colorado nuclear workforce development and education council shall advise and assist the department regarding the grant program's implementation and evaluation convene advisory sessions with stakeholders from the nuclear, educational, and workforce development sectors; implement the grant program; and contract with one or more third-party entities for staffing and operational assistance . The department may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations for program-related council-related purposes. The state treasurer shall credit the gifts, grants, and donations to the Colorado nuclear workforce development and education cash fund (cash fund) , which is created in the bill . The general assembly shall not appropriate general fund dollars to implement or maintain program council operations or grant awards. The department council shall convene and begin awarding grants only after the balance of the cash fund reaches or exceeds $500,000. The bill imposes requirements to report to the general assembly about the program's council's funding sources, grant program implementation , and use other uses of funds. The bill repeals the program council , effective September 1, 2032, unless the program council is extended pursuant to a sunset review. Conditional upon the receipt of sufficient gifts, grants, and donations, for the 2025-26 state fiscal year, the bill appropriates $500,000 from the cash fund to the department of higher education for use by the trustees of the Colorado school of mines. (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.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5 · Republican 6

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. May 13, 2025House Committee on Appropriations Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed
2. April 29, 2025House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to Appropriations
3. April 28, 2025Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4. April 28, 2025Introduced In House - Assigned to Finance
5. April 25, 2025Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
6. April 25, 2025Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
7. March 13, 2025Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Appropriations
8. February 26, 2025Senate Committee on Education Refer Unamended to Agriculture & Natural Resources
9. February 4, 2025Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education