SB 52: Coal Transition Community Investment

Official summary

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

The act establishes a first and preferred opportunity for available employment for coal transition workers in coal transition communities (hiring preference). A business entity located in a coal transition community that is engaged in the business of constructing or operating railroads, utilities, energy generation facilities, or advanced manufacturing facilities (covered business) is required to comply with the hiring preference. A covered business does not include the state government or a local government.     A covered business is required to make good faith efforts to provide a hiring preference to a coal transition worker who meets the qualifications for an employment position (qualified coal transition worker). A covered business may hire an individual who is not a qualified coal transition worker only if a qualified coal transition worker did not apply for employment with the covered business, each qualified coal transition worker declined a job offer from a covered business, or a qualified coal transition worker's qualifications did not meet the qualifications of other candidates for the same job.     If a qualified coal transition worker applies for employment with a covered business, the covered business is required to report specified information annually to the just transition office. The executive director is required to adopt policies and procedures to implement the act. A hiring preference does not apply if a covered business places an existing employee in another employment position with the covered business or to the extent that a hiring preference conflicts with the terms of a collective bargaining agreement that applies to the relationship between a covered business and its employees.     Currently, a public entity is not allowed to invest public funds in certain types of investments, such as equity instruments, instruments convertible to equity, or equity interests, or to deposit public funds with any person except certain depository institutions, which are primarily banks. The act authorizes a public entity to deposit or invest, either directly or through an investment firm or other third party authorized by the public entity, public funds from a payment or settlement that the public entity has received to offset the socioeconomic impacts to a community or government from the closure of a coal mine or coal power generating station in any investment permitted by an investment policy approved by the public entity.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 40 · Republican 5

“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. March 9, 2026Governor Signed
2. March 2, 2026Signed by the President of the Senate
3. March 2, 2026Signed by the Speaker of the House
4. March 2, 2026Sent to the Governor
5. February 24, 2026Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
6. February 23, 2026House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
7. February 20, 2026House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor
8. February 19, 2026House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
9. February 12, 2026Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources
10. February 11, 2026Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
11. February 10, 2026Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee
12. February 5, 2026Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

Showing 12 most recent of 13 actions. Full history