State Representative Dusty Johnson of Colorado concluded the year 2025 by successfully passing 12 bills that aim to enhance the welfare of rural communities across the state. In an interview with The Fort Morgan Times, Johnson outlined the objectives and anticipated impacts of each piece of legislation signed into law, emphasizing their potential benefits for residents in underserved areas.
Key Legislative Achievements
One of the most significant measures is the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform (HB25-1094). This law addresses the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), who act as intermediaries between drug manufacturers and pharmacies. Although PBMs were originally designed to control drug prices, they have increasingly prioritized rebate profits over patient needs. The new legislation establishes a flat rebate rate and restricts the negotiating power of PBMs, ensuring that patient care is the primary consideration. This reform is particularly crucial for rural areas, where pharmacy options are often limited, allowing for better access to essential medications.
Another important advancement is the Chronic Medication Dosage Changes (SB25-301) law. Previously, patients requiring dosage adjustments faced lengthy insurance approval processes, even when their medication remained unchanged. This legislation enables healthcare providers to make real-time dosage changes without additional insurance hurdles. It aims to improve the quality of life for patients with chronic conditions, allowing for timely responses to their health needs.
The Capital Needs of Rural Hospitals (HB25-1223) bill addresses the financial challenges faced by rural hospitals. By creating a formal coalition recognized by the state, this law empowers hospitals to collaborate and present their infrastructure needs collectively. This collective approach enhances their credibility and enables them to pursue essential projects that can improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Another noteworthy measure is the Public Hospital Boards Update (HB25-1085), which corrects an oversight that previously excluded four rural hospitals from updated governance standards. The new law ensures that all public hospitals in Colorado operate under consistent rules, promoting better governance across the board.
Supporting Education and Agriculture
In the realm of education, the Postsecondary Credit Transfer Website (HB25-1038) aims to streamline the transfer process for students moving between Colorado colleges. This law establishes a statewide website that allows students to verify which credits will transfer, thereby reducing wasted coursework and unnecessary financial burdens. Implementation is currently underway, with colleges expected to upload their data soon.
In response to a pressing shortage of veterinarians, particularly for livestock, the Remove Student Cap for CSU Veterinary Program (HB25-1131) law eliminates the enrollment cap at Colorado State University’s veterinary program. This change allows the institution to admit more qualified applicants, thereby strengthening the veterinary workforce essential for supporting the state’s agricultural sector.
Furthermore, the Exempt Agricultural Buildings from Energy Code Mandates (SB25-039) law provides relief for farmers and ranchers. By exempting agricultural buildings from urban energy codes, this legislation reduces unnecessary costs associated with compliance, helping to keep food production expenses in check.
Johnson also championed the Irrigation District Inflation Adjustment (SB25-140), which updates financial rules to help irrigation districts manage rising operational costs. This law ensures the long-term sustainability of water systems crucial for agricultural success.
Enhancing Safety and Privacy
The Advisory Board for School Safety (HB25-1173) consolidates efforts from various sub-departments within the Department of Public Safety to address school safety. By streamlining initiatives, this legislation enhances coordination and resource sharing, ensuring that schools receive consistent support for safety programs.
Additionally, the Confidential Voter Status for First Responders (HB25-1195) law protects the personal information of first responders and their families by allowing them to register as confidential voters. This measure aims to address the unique privacy concerns faced by those who serve their communities.
Finally, the Division of Water Resources Efficiency (HB25-1014) law improves the efficiency of water rights reviews. By restructuring the evaluation process into two cycles and extending application deadlines, this legislation alleviates backlogs and enhances the permitting process for farmers and ranchers.
Johnson highlighted the establishment of the Rural Caucus, which now comprises 18 members advocating for rural interests. The caucus played a pivotal role earlier this year in retaining hospital funding by uniting rural legislators and garnering media attention.
“By rallying media attention and speaking with one voice, rural legislators ensured those funds remained in place,” Johnson stated. “We’ve proven that when rural voices unite, we get results.”
The representative also emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in spending, advocating for prioritization of basic infrastructure improvements over less critical projects.
For more detailed information about the legislation passed in 2025, interested individuals can visit the Colorado Legislature website at leg.colorado.gov/bills.
