Date: 04/15/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB13-1293

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion w
Amend printed bill on page 3, line 10, strike "com
Refer House Bill 13-1293, as amended, to the Commi
Pass Without Objection
PASS



01:32 PM -- House Bill 13-1293

Representative Rosenthal, sponsor, presented House Bill 13-1293. This bill directs the Governor to establish at least a part-time position with the term "climate change" in the title in order to assess climate change issues within the state. The location of the position is at the Governor's discretion and the person appointed to this position may be a current employee and perform other duties within any department of the executive branch. At a minium, the bill specifies that the duties of the position include the development and periodic update of a climate action plan including policy recommendations the state could use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and collaboration with other entities regarding climate preparedness studies. The bill requires the appointee to submit an annual report to the House and Senate Agriculture committees on climate change issues generally and specific ways in which climate change impacts Colorado. Development of the plan must take into account previous plans and relevant executive orders from the Governor.

Written testimony in support of the bill from Auden Schendler of Aspen Skiing Company was distributed to the committee (Attachment A).

130415 AttachA.pdf130415 AttachA.pdf

The following persons testified on the bill:

01:36 PM -- Dr. Scott Denning, Colorado State University, said that he personally supports the bill but that the university does not take a position on the bill.. Dr. Denning discussed the importance of Colorado's climate, the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the climate, the relationship between climate change and Colorado's economy, and the need for up-to-date and accurate information on climate change. Dr. Denning answered questions from the committee regarding how climate change may affect Colorado agriculture; potential environmental effects of increasing CO2 levels due to the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas; and the amount of measurable CO2 in the air versus the amount that is absorbed by the environment. Committee discussion ensued regarding the effects of ocean absorption of CO2. Dr. Denning continued to answer questions from the committee regarding the contribution of volcanos and forest fires to the amount of CO2 in the air, past instances of high CO2 levels and their effects on air temperature, if raised air temperature precedes or follows increased CO2 levels, how climate change may affect Colorado's agriculture, and the possible responsibilities of the person who is appointed per the provisions of the bill.

01:57 PM -- Tom Easley, Rocky Mountain Climate Organization, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Easley described the role of his organization and discussed the risks associated with climate change and the cost benefits of implementing climate change mitigation techniques. He also talked about the role that the state may play in addressing climate change, the potential benefits of hiring a state climate change expert, and "preparedness planning" employed by other states. Mr. Easley answered questions from the committee regarding how the projected decrease of water levels in Colorado's rivers relates to climate change, residential and commercial energy efficiency recommendations, and the potential net savings of implementing residential energy efficiency measures. Committee discussion ensued regarding the cost-benefit analysis of implementing residential energy efficiency measures. Mr. Easley answered a question from the committee regarding Colorado's involvement in the Western Climate Initiative.

02:13 PM -- Taryn Finnessey, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), did not take a position on the bill. Ms. Finnessey discussed research that the CWCB has conducted regarding the effects of climate change on Colorado's water resources. She answered questions from the committee regarding CWCB's studies of how climate change affects the Colorado river as well as industries that rely on the Colorado river and how the Colorado river's temperature has changed.

02:23 PM

Representative Rosenthal wrapped up his presentation of the bill and explained Amendment L.001(Attachment B). Committee discussion ensued on Amendment L.001(Attachment B).

130415 AttachB.pdf130415 AttachB.pdf
BILL:HB13-1293
TIME: 02:23:50 PM
MOVED:Rosenthal
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion was withdrawn.
SECONDED:Vigil
VOTE
Buck
Coram
Garcia
Lebsock
McLachlan
McNulty
Mitsch Bush
Rankin
Rosenthal
Saine
Sonnenberg
Vigil
Fischer
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION:

02:27 PM

The committee took a brief recess.

02:29 PM

The committee came back to order.
BILL:HB13-1293
TIME: 02:29:33 PM
MOVED:Rosenthal
MOTION:Amend printed bill on page 3, line 10, strike "committee" and substitute "committee, the house transportation and energy committee,". The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Lebsock
VOTE
Buck
Coram
Garcia
Lebsock
McLachlan
McNulty
Mitsch Bush
Rankin
Rosenthal
Saine
Sonnenberg
Vigil
Fischer
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



02:30 PM

 Some of the committee members explained their positions on the bill.
BILL:HB13-1293
TIME: 02:32:05 PM
MOVED:Rosenthal
MOTION:Refer House Bill 13-1293, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 7-6.
SECONDED:Lebsock
VOTE
Buck
No
Coram
No
Garcia
Yes
Lebsock
Yes
McLachlan
Yes
McNulty
No
Mitsch Bush
Yes
Rankin
No
Rosenthal
Yes
Saine
No
Sonnenberg
No
Vigil
Yes
Fischer
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




02:40 PM

The committee adjourned.