Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:03/06/2013
ATTENDANCE
Time:10:46 AM to 12:22 PM
Buck
*
Coram
X
Place:HCR 0107
Garcia
*
Lebsock
X
This Meeting was called to order by
McLachlan
X
Representative Fischer
McNulty
X
Mitsch Bush
*
This Report was prepared by
Rankin
X
Brooke Maddaford
Rosenthal
X
Saine
*
Sonnenberg
E
Vigil
X
Fischer
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Explanation of Sunset Review Process
SB13-153
SB13-174		Committee discussion only
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to Appropriations


10:47 AM -- Explanation of Sunset Review Process

Brian Tobias, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), offered a brief explanation of the different types of sunset reviews and the sunset review process. Mr. Tobias answered questions from the committee regarding if there have ever been sunset bills that were allowed to die, and the outcomes that are allowed when a committee is reviewing a sunset bill.

10:57 AM -- Senate Bill 13-153

Staff distributed a handout from the Farm-to-School Task Force (Attachment A).

130306 AttachA.pdf130306 AttachA.pdf

Representative Vigil and Representative Schafer, sponsors, presented Senate Bill 13-067. Under current law, the interagency farm-to-school coordination task force sunsets on December 31, 2013, following a sunset review performed by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). This bill continues the task force indefinitely; adds two members to the task force, increasing the membership from 13 to 15; permits the addition of ex-officio members to the task force; expands the focus of the task force to explore statewide data collection systems to track farm-to-school activities; and modifies reporting requirements.






Representative Schafer described Senate Bill 10-081, the Farm-to-School Healthy Kids Act, and explained how this aforementioned legislation relates to Senate Bill 13-153. Representative Vigil described details outlined in the fiscal note for this bill and answered questions from the committee regarding why certain areas of Colorado are not involved with the Farm-to-School task force. Representative Schafer addressed this question as well. Representative Vigil and Representative Schafer answered questions from the committee regarding where the task force was started and who is involved with the task force.

The following individuals testified on the bill:

11:06 AM -- Lyn Kathlene, Spark Policy Institute and Farm-to-School task force; Andrew Nowak, Farm-to-School task force; and Jeremy West, Farm-to-School Task Force, introduced themselves and all spoke in support of the bill.

Mr. West talked about the growth of the Farm-to-Table task force, the far-reaching benefits of the task force, and the actions of the task force. Mr. West also addressed why a Farm-to-School task force is needed, how the task force operates, and funding for the task force.

Mr. Nowak discussed his role as a parent advocate within the task force and talked about the 5 major gaps that drive the focus of his work. He also provided a few examples of how he has addressed those gaps. Mr. Nowak offered details regarding outreach and technical assistance including a centralized food hub, the task force website, pilot projects, and an evaluation toolkit.

Ms. Kathlene talked about how the Spark Policy Institute helps the Farm-to-School task force to addresses policy and legal regulatory issues, including numerous analyses that have been conducted. Ms. Kathelene discussed the importance of developing the supply side and detailed some of the lessons that the task force has learned over the years as well as the goals of the task force.

Ms. Kathlene answered questions from the committee regarding why school food procurement falls under federal regulation and rules and regulations that should be made at the state level to support the program. Mr. Nowak, Mr. West, and Ms. Kathelene answered questions from the committee regarding the role of parents in the task force. Ms. Kathlene answered questions from the committee regarding outreach and working with other organizations, including the LiveWell program.

11:27 AM -- Saul Larson, DORA, offered to answer questions from the committee. There were none.


11:28 AM

Representative Vigil and Representative Schafer wrapped up their presentation of the bill.
BILL:SB13-153
TIME: 11:28:41 AM
MOVED:Vigil
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 13-153 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-1 with one excused.
SECONDED:Garcia
VOTE
Buck
Yes
Coram
Yes
Garcia
Yes
Lebsock
Yes
McLachlan
Yes
McNulty
Yes
Mitsch Bush
Yes
Rankin
Yes
Rosenthal
Yes
Saine
No
Sonnenberg
Excused
Vigil
Yes
Fischer
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

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 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.