House Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, & Natural Resources (03/24/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:	03/24/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	12:55 PM to 01:30 PM	Gardner C.	*
		Hullinghorst	X
Place:	HCR 0107	Labuda	X
		Looper	*
This Meeting was called to order by		McKinley	X
	Representative Curry	McNulty	X
		Pace	*
This Report was prepared by		Solano	X
	Lauren Ris	Sonnenberg	X
		Tipton	X
		Vigil	X
		Fischer	X
		Curry	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB09-174		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only

12:56 PM -- Senate Bill 09-174

Representative Casso, prime sponsor, presented SB 09-174 concerning pari-mutuel racing. The bill eliminates the cap on simulcast race days and authorizes the Colorado Racing Commission to make the determination on the number of race days. The bill also makes a number of modifications to the regulation of pari-mutuel racing.

The following individuals testified on the bill:

01:03 PM -- Dan Williams, representing Mile High Racing and Entertainment, spoke in favor of the bill. He described the positive fiscal impact the bill would have and how it would impact jobs at racing facilities. He discussed the increased flexibility the bill would provide the Colorado Racing Commission. He also described how the bill would affect greyhound racing. Mr. Williams spoke about potential amendments to the bill. He answered questions from the committee.

01:20 PM -- Mr. Williams continued to answer questions from the committee concerning the division of funds between greyhound and horse racing.

01:23 PM -- Karen Cloud, representing Red and Jerrys, spoke in favor of the bill. She described her family's history operating Rocky Mountain Greyhound Park in Colorado Springs.

01:28 PM -- Eric Morgan, Colorado Greyhound Kennel Association, spoke against the bill. He discussed a variety of new taxes and fees facing the industry and the costs associated with the racing industry.

01:30 PM

Representative Curry laid the bill over until Friday March 27 for continued testimony. Due to inclement weather, the committee did not meet on Friday and the bill was heard instead on March 31. The committee adjourned.