Draft
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:03/29/2010
ATTENDANCE
Time:11:56 AM to 12:22 PM
Baumgardner
Curry
Place:SupCt
Gardner C.
Hullinghorst
This Meeting was called to order by
Looper
Representative Fischer
McKinley
Ryden
This Report was prepared by
Solano
Lauren Ris
Sonnenberg
Tipton
Vigil
Pace
Fischer
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Department of Agriculture
Department Natural Resources		Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only


11:56 AM -- Department of Agriculture

Representative Lambert discussed the budget of the Department of Agriculture. He explained the General Fund appropriation to the department this year and last year. A chart comparing appropriations can be found on page 38 of the Long Bill Narrative (available at http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/leg_dir/jbc/10LBNarrative.pdf). Representative Lambert discussed some of the Joint Budget Committee's recommendations including restoring FY 2009-10 furlough reductions, refinancing General Fund moneys in the Agricultural Markets Division with Agriculture Management Fund dollars, and consolidating IT staff. Representative Lambert answered questions from the committee regarding House Bill 10-1377 which finances the Inspection and Consumer Services Programs with cash funds for FY 2010-11 and FY 2011-12.

12:01 PM

The committee asked for clarification on the appropriation for the indirect cost assessment from JBC staff. The committee also discussed why some funding transfers may happen through the budget process while others require legislation.

12:21 PM

Following the committee's discussion of the Department of Natural Resources' budget, Representative Curry commented that the Department of Agriculture is receiving an 18 percent reduction in its budget yet agriculture is the fourth largest industry in the state.


12:07 PM -- Department Natural Resources

Representative Pommer provided a brief overview of the Department of Natural Resources' budget. Representative Pommer responded to questions about legal services for instream flow (on page 209 of the Long Bill Narrative), the Joint Budget Committee's recommendation to fill 4.0 vacant positions in the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to assist with oil and gas permitting activities (on page 212), and how lottery moneys are used for State Parks (on page 214). The committee also discussed House Bill 10-1388, which transfers funds to the General Fund from the Perpetual Base Account of the Severance Tax Trust Fund.

12:14 PM

Representative Pommer responded to questions from the committee about funding that is available for interstate compact litigation.

12:22 PM
The committee adjourned.