Date: 03/06/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB13-174

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 13-174 to the Committee on ApproPASS



11:38 AM -- Senate Bill 13-174

Representative Lebsock, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 13-174. This bill continues the Food Systems Advisory Council (council) indefinitely. The size of the council is increased from 13 to 15 governor-appointed members. The bill requires that funds in the Food Systems Advisory Council Cash Fund be continuously appropriated and that funds accepted from gifts, grants, or donations not be subject to conditions that are inconsistent with the purpose of the council or any other law of the state. Representative Lebsock answered questions from the committee about the rationale behind extending the council indefinitely.

The following individuals testified on the bill:

11:43 AM -- Ron Carleton, Colorado Department of Agriculture, and Lisa Walvoord, LiveWell Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Carleton discussed the history and functions of the council, the economic contributions of agriculture, the need to promote growth of agriculture, and the accomplishments of the council. Representative Lebsock distributed a fact sheet on the bill to the committee (Attachment B). Ms. Walvoord talked about the collaborative relationship between LiveWell and the council, subcommittees within LiveWell, the initiatives of LiveWell, and the goals of LiveWell. Mr. Carleton answered questions from the committee regarding the willingness of the council to visit the committee on on annual basis to provide information. Ms. Walvoord answered questions from the committee regarding the sources of LiveWell's funding and the cost of running the council. Mr. Carleton also addressed the question of the cost of running the council. Committee discussion ensued on this topic.

130306 AttachB.pdf130306 AttachB.pdf

12:00 PM -- Bobbie Puckett, LiveWell Fort Collins, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Puckett discussed her role within LiveWell as a registered dietitian, the challenges that her organization faces, the role that the council plays within Colorado food systems, and the need for healthy food access within Colorado. Ms. Puckett answered questions from the committee regarding the Coalition for Activity and Nutrition to Defeat Obesity (CanDo).

12:04 PM -- Nicohlas Colglazier, Colorado Farm Bureau, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Colglazier explained the membership of the Colorado Farm Bureau and discussed the benefits of the council to Colorado's agricultural industry.

12:05 PM -- Mary Lou Chapman, Rocky Mountain Food Industry Association, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Chapman discussed the functions of the association and its relationship to the council, the foci of the council, and the reports produced by the council. Ms. Chapman answered questions from the committee regarding the goals and tasks for next year as discussed in the council's report.

12:10 PM -- Saul Larson, DORA, offered to answer questions from the committee. There were none.

12:11 PM

Committee discussion ensued regarding the evolving nature of the council and the possibility of extending the sunset on the bill.

12:17 PM

Representative Lebsock wrapped up his presentation of the bill.

BILL:SB13-174
TIME: 12:18:05 PM
MOVED:Lebsock
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 13-174 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 8-4 with one excused.
SECONDED:Mitsch Bush
VOTE
Buck
No
Coram
Yes
Garcia
Yes
Lebsock
Yes
McLachlan
Yes
McNulty
No
Mitsch Bush
Yes
Rankin
No
Rosenthal
Yes
Saine
No
Sonnenberg
Excused
Vigil
Yes
Fischer
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 4 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




12:22 PM

The committee adjourned.