CO HB1306

Establishes a grant program administered by the Department of Public Health and Environment to pay for testing of lead in drinking water at public schools served by public water systems, including public school districts, charter schools, and boards of cooperative services.

Prioritizes grant funding for the oldest elementary schools first, then oldest non-elementary schools, and finally all other public schools; schools already subject to federal Lead and Copper Rule testing or currently testing are ineligible.

Requires schools receiving grants to either contract for testing compliant with department protocols or conduct testing themselves and submit samples to the department or a certified laboratory, then report results to local public health agencies, water suppliers, school boards, and the department.

Appropriates $431,803 from the Water Quality Improvement Fund for fiscal year 2017-18, with up to $300,000 for testing grants and $140,000 for program implementation, staff, and technical support; identical amounts authorized for fiscal years 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Requires the department to report annually to the General Assembly through February 1, 2021, on applications, grants issued, test results, and legislative proposals for remediation assistance; the grant program repeals effective September 1, 2021.