Date: 01/25/2012

Final
Recommendations on DNR Budget

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved a substitute motion to support the Departmen
Moved to recommend that the Department of Agricult
Moved to support the Department of Natural Resourc		FAIL
PASS
PASS



10:17 AM -- Recommendations on DNR Budget

Mike King, Executive Director for the Department of Natural Resources, responded to questions from the committee concerning the need for additional FTE in the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC).

10:19 AM

Dave Neslin, Director of the COGCC, explained the increase in active wells in the state and the corresponding increasing staffing needs to conduct permitting, inspection, and enforcement activities.

10:29 AM

Representative Scott clarified that the department is asking for two additional FTE in the supplemental budget request and five additional FTE in next year's budget request.

10:30 AM

Director King discussed the existing unfilled positions in the department.

10:32 AM

Director Neslin explained that the funding for the additional FTE will come from a mill levy and severance taxes.

10:34 AM

The committee discussed the frequency of drilling inspections.

10:35 AM

Director Neslin indicated that the industry supports inspections and that wells are inspected about once every three years.

10:40 AM

The committee recessed for a joint meeting with the Senate Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Energy Committee.

11:50 AM

The committee came back to order.


BILL:Recommendations on DNR Budget
TIME: 11:51:04 AM
MOVED:Scott
MOTION:Moved to support the Department of Natural Resources budget with the exception of the request for 5 FTE. The motion passed on a vote of 8-5.
SECONDED:McKinley
VOTE
Brown
Yes
Coram
Yes
Fischer
No
Jones
No
Looper
Yes
McKinley
Yes
Ryden
No
Scott
Yes
Vaad
Yes
Vigil
No
Wilson
No
Baumgardner
Yes
Sonnenberg
Yes
YES: 8 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:Recommendations on DNR Budget
TIME: 11:51:46 AM
MOVED:Fischer
MOTION:Moved a substitute motion to support the Department of Natural Resources budget along with the FTE requested. The motion failed on a vote of 5-8.
SECONDED:Jones
VOTE
Brown
No
Coram
No
Fischer
Yes
Jones
Yes
Looper
No
McKinley
No
Ryden
Yes
Scott
No
Vaad
No
Vigil
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Baumgardner
No
Sonnenberg
No
YES: 5 NO: 8 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:Recommendations on DNR Budget
TIME: 12:02:39 PM
MOVED:Brown
MOTION:Moved to recommend that the Department of Agriculture's Inspection and Consumer Services Programs be funded with 50 percent General Funds and 50 percent cash funds and to keep indirect cost caps in place for the Brant Board. The motion passed on a vote of 8-5.
SECONDED:Scott
VOTE
Brown
Yes
Coram
Yes
Fischer
No
Jones
No
Looper
Yes
McKinley
Yes
Ryden
No
Scott
Yes
Vaad
Yes
Vigil
No
Wilson
No
Baumgardner
Yes
Sonnenberg
Yes
YES: 8 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




12:07 PM

The committee adjourned.