Date: 05/02/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB14-192

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 14-192 to the Committee on ApproPASS



01:04 PM -- SB14-192

Representatives Becker and Wright came to the table to present Senate Bill 14-192. They explained that the bill requires that all groundwater wells be restored to at least the numeric groundwater standards as established by the Water Quality Control Commission in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) that apply to the historic uses of the wells. The licensee is required to remediate any release affecting groundwater wells in the most expedited manner reasonably possible using the best available active restoration and groundwater monitoring technologies. The licensee is required to provide notice to CDPHE as soon as practicable upon discovery of any spill or release involving toxic or radioactive materials and provide an initial written report within seven days after the discovery. The CDPHE must post these reports on its website no later than seven days after receipt of the information. The bill eliminates the statutory deadline for the CDPHE to make an initial draft decision on a license application for a facility, site, or shipment for disposal of radioactive waste.

The representatives responded to questions on the fiscal note for the bill and current laws surrounding mining.


01:13 PM

Diana Orf, Colorado Mining Association (CMA), came to the table for questions on the association's support for the bill, how many companies are interested in using the technology laid out in the bill, the application process for obtaining a radioactive materials license, and the use of the ablation method of extraction. Committee discussion ensued.


01:23 PM

Ms. Orf responded to a question on why the CMA is opposed to the legislation. The committee discussed why the legislation is needed.


01:27 PM

Jason Hopfer, representing Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste, came to the table for questions. He spoke to what is involved in the ablation process.


01:30 PM

Representatives Becker and Wright responded to questions on the bill's fiscal note, the license fees levied by the bill, and why the ablation process cannot be regulated under current mining laws. Committee discussion of regulation of the ablation process ensued.


01:44 PM

The bill sponsors provided their closing comments and the committee discussed the merits of the bill.
BILL:SB14-192
TIME: 01:45:27 PM
MOVED:Becker
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 14-192 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 7-4, with 2 members excused.
SECONDED:Labuda
VOTE
Becker
Yes
DelGrosso
No
Foote
Excused
Joshi
No
Kagan
Yes
Melton
Yes
Pabon
Yes
Priola
No
Saine
Excused
Swalm
No
Wilson
Yes
Labuda
Yes
Court
Yes
YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


01:48 PM

The committee was adjourned.