Date: 01/23/2014
Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB14-1007
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
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10:46 AM -- HB14-1007
The committee recessed.
10:51 AM
The committee came back to order. Representative Hamner, sponsor, introduced and discussed HB14-1007 concerning the authority of county governments to limit certain forms of fire, and, in connection therewith, permitting county governments to prohibit agricultural burning during periods of high fire danger and to prohibit fireworks activity during the summer season. The bill allows counties to ban or restrict agricultural burning on days when red flag warning or fire weather watches have been issues by the National Weather Service. The bill also allows counties to regulate fireworks all times of the year and possession of fireworks between May 31 and July 5 of each year. The bill was recommended by the Interim Wildfire Matters Review Committee.
10:54 AM -- Dale Bodstone, representing Holiday Enterprises, spoke in opposition of the bill. He discussed the National Weather Service index as a guide to firework retailers.
Representative Hamner answered questions from the committee concerning the National Weather Service.
10:59 AM -- Karen Boydston, representing Holiday Enterprises, spoke in opposition of the bill.
11:00 AM -- Lauren Collar, representing Winco Fireworks, spoke in opposition of the bill. Ms. Collar said that standards need to be adopted, in cooperation with the fireworks industry, before a ban is imposed.
11:02 AM -- Melissa Linebarger, representing the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, spoke in favor of the bill. She discussed the current rate of out of control fires that start from agricultural burns. Ms. Linebarger presented a handout to the committee on agricultural and prescribed fire spreads (Attachment B).
14HseLocal0123AttachB.pdf
Ms. Linebarger answered questions from the committee regarding an education program for fire prevention and control.
The committee discussed a county's authority for fire prevention under current law.
Representing Hamner discussed public safety and the low numbers related fire spread.
11:13 AM
The committee continued to discuss fire prevention and county authorities.
11:17 AM -- Joe Pelle, Boulder County Sheriff, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed the importance of banning agricultural burns on days with dangerous weather conditions. Sheriff Pelle discussed the role of counties to determine restrictions based on county needs and safety.
Sheriff Pelle answered questions from the committee regarding red flag days and the number of out of control fires from agricultural burns. He discussed the enforcement procedures for bans.
The committee discussed requirements for agricultural burns.
11:27 AM -- Justin Smith, Sheriff of Larimer County, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed the effect of a ban on agricultural burns and the ability to permit local control. Sheriff Smith discussed the restrictions of fireworks.
Sheriff Smith answered questions from the committee regarding weather changes in relation to agricultural burns.
11:33 AM -- John Martin, Garfield County Commissioner, spoke in favor of the bill. Commissioner Martin discussed the current process for county commissioners to ban agricultural burns and fireworks. He discussed the importance of allowing local governments to respond to a county's public safety needs.
The committee discussed the role of fire prevention in local governments.
11:43 AM -- Garin Vothman, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, spoke in support of the bill.
11:44 AM -- Dan Gibbs, Summit County Commissioner, representing Colorado Counties Inc., spoke in support of the bill. Commissioner Gibbs discussed Summit County's fire bans for agricultural burns and fireworks. He discussed the current authority for counties to impose fire bans.
11:55 AM
Commissioner Gibbs continued to answer questions regarding local control of fire prevention.
11:57 AM -- Tony Lunbard, representing the Colorado State Fire Chiefs, spoke in favor of the bill.
11:58 AM -- Bill Artist, representing the fireworks industry, spoke in opposition of the bill. He discussed the importance of establishing standards for the determination of implementing or lifting a ban for fireworks. Mr. Artist discussed the potential impact on the fireworks industry. Mr. Artist answered questions from the committee regarding laws in other states and the permit process for firework retailers.
The bill was laid over for action only on a date to be determined.
12:06 PM
The committee adjourned.