Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:05/06/2010
ATTENDANCE
Time:02:34 PM to 03:30 PM
Brophy
X
Gibbs
X
Place:SCR 353
Harvey
X
Kester
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Schwartz
X
Senator Hodge
Whitehead
X
Hodge
X
This Report was prepared by
David Beaujon
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
SB10-211
Conf 10-Department of Natural Resources Executive Director
HB10-1407		Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Favorably Refer to the Full Senate
Postponed Indefinitely


02:34 PM -- Senate Bill 10-211

 Senator Morse and Senator Gibbs, prime sponsors, described the provisions of Senate Bill 10-211 concerning big game licenses for wounded warriors. The introduced bill authorizes the Wildlife Commission in the Department of Natural Resources to reduce or eliminate fees on big game hunting licences, and to establish a big game hunting license preference for members of the armed services' wounded warrior programs. Wounded warriors who are residents of, or stationed in Colorado who have been severely injured and require years of intense, ongoing care or assistance, would be eligible for the program as part of their rehabilitation process.

The following persons testified on the bill:

02:38 PM -- Sallie Clark, El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, spoke in support of the bill.

02:40 PM -- Terrance D. McWilliams, representing himself, described his military experience and spoke in support of the bill.

02:44 PM -- Ernest House, Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the bill.

02:45 PM -- Tim Mauck, Division of Wildlife, spoke in support of the bill and described other free or discounted fishing and hunting licenses available for military personnel and veterans.


02:49 PM -- Dwaine Robey, Outdoor Buddies, spoke in support of the bill.

02:50 PM

Senator Morse closed his remarks on the bill and described the efforts of Representative Marsha Looper to promote this legislation in other states..
BILL:SB10-211
TIME: 02:50:51 PM
MOVED:Gibbs
MOTION:Moved to refer Senate Bill 10-211 to the Committee of the Whole, without amendment. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 6 to 0, with one excused.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Gibbs
Yes
Harvey
Yes
Kester
Excused
Schwartz
Yes
Whitehead
Yes
Hodge
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:53 PM

The committee recessed.

02:53 PM -- Confirmation of the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources

The committee returned from recess. Mike King, appointed for a term expiring at the pleasure of the Governor, described his experience and interest in serving as the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources (Attachment A). He explained that his priorities will include forest health; the development of the Interbasin Compact Committee portfolios to address Colorado's growing water demands; and implementation of the new oil and gas regulations. He also responded to questions from the committee about how to address growing water demands while protecting nonconsumptive water users.

100506AttachA.pdf


Moved to refer Mike King to serve as the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a roll call vote of .
BILL:Conf 10-DNR Executive Director
TIME: 03:03:32 PM
MOVED:Whitehead
MOTION:Moved to refer Mike King to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation to serve as the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 6 to 0, with one excused.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Gibbs
Yes
Harvey
Yes
Kester
Excused
Schwartz
Yes
Whitehead
Yes
Hodge
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:04 PM

The committee recessed.

03:06 PM -- House Bill 10-1407

Senator Steadman, prime sponsor, described the provisions of House Bill 10-1407 concerning the Range Worker Advisory Council. The reengrossed bill creates the 11-member Range Worker Advisory Council and specifies its composition. If $3,872 is received from gifts, grants, and donations by August 1, 2010, the council must meet between 2 and 4 times annually. At least half of these meetings are to be conducted on the western slope. If sufficient gifts, grants, and donations are not received, the council is dissolved. The council is charged with studying and discussing issues concerning range workers in Colorado who are working under the federal H-2A visa program for temporary non-immigrant foreign agricultural workers. By February 1, 2011, it will prepare a report for the business and agriculture committees of the General Assembly that includes its findings and proposed legislation. The bill repeals after the required report has been submitted to the General Assembly.

The following persons testified on the bill:

03:10 PM -- Laura Locke, Colorado Woolgrowers Association, explained that her organization is neutral on the bill and described discussions that her organization is participating in with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Colorado Department of Labor, and other interested persons to address the concerns of the bill sponsors.

03:12 PM -- Joe Wismann-Horther, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, spoke in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee about progress on issues of concern to his organization and laws in other states that address agriculture immigrant rights.






03:20 PM -- Crystal Korey, Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Cattlemen's Association, spoke in opposition to the bill.

03:22 PM

Senator Steadman closed his remarks on the bill.
BILL:HB10-1407
TIME: 03:29:35 PM
MOVED:Harvey
MOTION:Moved to postpone indefinitely House Bill 10-1407. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 6 to 0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Gibbs
Yes
Harvey
Yes
Kester
Excused
Schwartz
Yes
Whitehead
Yes
Hodge
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:30 PM

The committee adjourned.