Date: 04/16/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB14-1356

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 14-1356 to the Committee on ApproPASS



01:55 PM -- HB14-1356

Representative Foote came to the table to introduce House Bill 14-1356. He explained that the bill increases the penalties for violations of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act. The maximum daily fine is increased from $1,000 to $15,000 for each act of violation per day that the violation continues. The $10,000 maximum cap on violations that do not result in a significant adverse impact is repealed. He added that the bill incentivizes operators to follow existing statutory rules and responded to a question on the fines levied under the bill.


01:58 PM

Matt Lepore, director of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC), came to the table to speak to where funds from fines will be directed once they are collected. He responded to questions on how larger fines could deter violations by oil and gas operators, the increased revenue laid out in the fiscal note for the bill, and the enforcement of existing penalties for operator violations. Representative Foote spoke to the difference between operator violations and penalties and responded to a question on how the bill will impact the regulation of operators.


02:11 PM

Mr. Lepore spoke to questions on how violations are addressed with an operator, why an additional 0.9 FTE is required under the bill, and whether the bill will lead to longer settlements with operators for violations. Committee discussion of violations and penalties and how these will be administered by the COGCC ensued.


02:23 PM

Representative Foote made his closing comments on the bill.
BILL:HB14-1356
TIME: 02:23:54 PM
MOVED:Foote
MOTION:Refer House Bill 14-1356 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 7-6.
SECONDED:Becker
VOTE
Becker
Yes
DelGrosso
No
Foote
Yes
Joshi
No
Kagan
Yes
Melton
Yes
Pabon
Yes
Priola
No
Saine
No
Swalm
No
Wilson
No
Labuda
Yes
Court
Yes
YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS