Legislation Strategy

Summary: Thus far, we are working on pushing two main pieces of legislation this spring: The Textbook Tax Bill Exemption, and a “Renter’s Rights” bill. The Textbook Tax Exemption was an original piece of legislation from ASCSU that failed last year in the Senate. However, this year we have been in conversation with our lobbyists to strategize a successful coalition to get this legislation past the finish line. In addition, we are partnering with the Attorney General’s office to put together a piece of legislation that will require mandatory fees to be disclosed and transparent for renters. We have met with the AG’s office and our lobbyist team to ensure our goals are aligned and work on putting together a draft to be heard in Session.

Future work: We are awaiting a final draft of the Excessive Fee/ Renter’s Right legislation to review and discuss as a team before the legislation will be heard by LSAB. After LSAB votes upon it, I expect to take a position of support and coalesce additional support for universities within Colorado and affordable housing advocacy organizations. In addition, my team is finalizing research on similar legislation in the past in Colorado and nationwide.

Stakeholders & Beneficiaries: Both bills will impact all CSU students and work towards creating a more affordable college experience. The price of textbooks have continued to rise and add one more cost to the already high price tag of college education. Moreover, many of our students are first-time renters who may not realize the additional fees included with renting before signing a thirty-page lease. Thus, we are working to ensure transparency for large apartment complexes and provide students with the essential knowledge needed before renting. We have found through preliminary research that many apartment complexes in Fort Collins have hundreds of dollars of additional fees, typically not disclosed within the advertised rent. However, while students greatly benefit from this piece of legislation, there will be fierce opposition from landlords, large apartment complexes, realtors, and bankers.