It is that time of year again! The state legislatures are beginning to convene for 2024, and Employers Council will monitor employment-related bills, as we have for many years. We primarily concentrate on the general assemblies in our mountain region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
It is a careful dance to stay on top of potential changes while refraining from prognostication that could prove misleading. We will write about bills of consequence as they appear poised to be passed into law.
The first state legislature in our region to have convened is Arizona’s, which started January 8 and runs until April 20 or thereabouts (frequently, the session is extended a week or so). We will watch the activity carefully in case something important makes progress.
As of January 11, the employment bills introduced in Arizona include a paid family and medical leave program, three bills restricting salary history inquiries, a general whistleblower statute bill, repeal of labor right to work, an increase to the accrual rate for paid sick leave, and a few other perennially introduced employment bills. We expect many more bills to be introduced in the coming days and weeks.
Colorado’s legislature convened on January 10 and runs until the first week in May. Colorado has been extremely active over the past few years, and Democrats have majorities in both chambers. Most pre-session public news has centered on property taxes and cost-of-living issues, with little talk of employment bills. However, it would be surprising if there were not a few. A couple of employment bills that arose in recent years might be brought up again, as well as new bills.
One of the first actions was to pass Senate Joint Resolution 24-001, which extended the filing deadlines for bills and provides sponsors with more time to draft and introduce them. As of January 11, the session’s second day, the only employment bills introduced in Colorado pertain to the use of convictions in occupational licensing and the tightening of wage claim liabilities in the construction industry.
New Mexico
New Mexico’s legislature convenes at noon on January 16. However, in 2024, there will be a short session. The legislature holds 60-day sessions in odd-numbered years and 30-day sessions in even-numbered years. We will still watch to see if there will be changes to the employment landscape in New Mexico.
Utah also starts its session on January 16, and it will close on March 1. Traditionally, Utah, with its short session, hits the ground running, and a lot of the work is done before bills are filed.
In Wyoming, it is unlikely that we will see any significant employment-related bills. In even-numbered years, the legislature convenes in a budget session beginning on the second Monday of February (February 12), which typically lasts 20 legislative days. Except for the budget bill, all other bills require a two-thirds vote from the Senate or House for introduction during a budget session.
It is difficult at the beginning of the legislative season to know exactly what will happen. However, we watch closely to see what new laws may affect the employment landscape and the consequences for our members. If you have any questions, please email Employers Council’s Member Experience Team.
#Arizona
#Colorado
#NewMexico
#Utah
#Wyoming