CO SB031

Creates federal mineral lease districts as independent public bodies to receive and distribute federal mineral leasing payments to Colorado counties and communities impacted by natural resource development.

County commissioners establish districts by majority vote resolution, which may include municipalities within the county, with the Department of Local Affairs allocating all future federal mineral leasing funding directly to the district.

Districts operate for two-year periods and may be reauthorized or dissolved by county commissioners, with district boards distributing at least 90 percent of annual funding to socially or economically impacted areas and using up to 10 percent for administrative costs.

District boards consist of at least one county commissioner plus representatives from municipalities and areas impacted by mineral development, with members serving staggered three-year terms and county commissioners unable to constitute a majority.

Districts cannot levy taxes or use eminent domain but may enter contracts, acquire property, borrow money through revenue bonds, and cooperate with other districts to accomplish purposes consistent with the Federal Mineral Lands Leasing Act of 1920.