Date: 04/24/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB13-202

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 13-202 to the Committee on ApproPASS



01:40 PM -- Senate Bill 13-202

Representative Tyler, chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was present. Representative Tyler discussed the schedule for the day and stated that testimony for Senate Bill 13-252 would be limited to 1.5 hours for each side. Representative Singer, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 13-202. The reengrossed bill requires the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to report to the Joint Budget Committee and House and Senate committees of reference with jurisdiction over energy by February 1, 2014, on utilizing a risk-based strategy for inspecting oil and gas locations that targets operational phases that are most likely to experience spills, excess emissions, and other types of violations. The report is to include findings, recommendations, and a plan, including staffing and equipment needs for implementing the strategy. The bill requires implementation of a strategy by July 1, 2014, which may include a pilot project to test the strategy. The reporting requirement is repealed September 1, 2014. Representative Singer discussed the provisions of the bill. Representative Mitsch Bush asked about the fiscal note.

The following people testified on the bill:

01:46 PM -- Mr. Bob Randall, representing DNR, testified in support of the bill. He said that the bill will add rigor and predictability to the commission's enforcement and inspection process. Representative Coram asked if the bill instructs the department to do what it is already doing. Mr. Randall responded that the bill calls for development of a specific written strategy.

01:49 PM -- Mr. Jim Cole, representing the Colorado Oil & Gas Association (COGA), testified in support of the bill. He said that the bill adds a layer of accountability to the inspection process.

01:52 PM -- Mr. Stan Dempsey, representing the Colorado Petroleum Association (CPA), testified on the bill. He said that CPA is neutral on the bill now, after having been in strong opposition to the bill when it was heard in the Senate. He said that the bill in its current form is a reasonable approach.

01:55 PM

Representative Singer presented closing comments on the bill.

BILL:SB13-202
TIME: 01:56:00 PM
MOVED:Fischer
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 13-202 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 8-5.
SECONDED:Kraft-Tharp
VOTE
Buck
No
Coram
No
Everett
No
Fischer
Yes
Kraft-Tharp
Yes
Lawrence
No
Lee
Yes
Mitsch Bush
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Scott
No
Moreno
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS