Bill Summary:

The federal "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act", which became law in December 2017, added distributions for elementary or secondary school expenses for tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school as qualified distributions from a qualified state tuition program, also known as a 529 account, thereby allowing, on the federal level, income tax-free distributions for elementary and secondary school such expenses in addition to already authorized income tax-free distributions for higher education expenses. The bill amends Colorado law to ensure that a taxpayer may not claim a deduction for contributions to qualified state tuition programs for elementary or secondary school expenses for tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school and clarifies that such expenses are not qualified distributions. The bill includes an appropriation to the department of revenue for $11,040 from the general fund. (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.)

CEA Position Rationale: CEA supports the CollegeInvest and 529 system continuing to be an avenue to higher education savings. Using these systems to support private school tuition or similar expenditures is a voucher by another name.

Legislative Priorities: Dismantle Inequitable and Racist Structures, Increase Funding and Resources to Public Education and Educators

Tier: 3