Date: 02/09/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1099

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Lay over House Bill 15-1099 for greater than 30 daPASS



02:40 PM -- HB15-1099

The committee took a brief recess.


02:48 PM

The committee returned to order. Representative Ryden announced that both testimony and committee questions would be timed.


02:49 PM

Representative Willett, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1099. Under current law, it is illegal to hunt or take black bears between March 1 and September 1. This bill changes this period to November 1 through July 31 and establishes a general-purpose hunt that begins on August 1 and ends on August 31 each year. The Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may authorize a hunt at any time between September 1 and October 31 of each calendar year. The bill specifically excludes a liquid scent that smells like food from the definition of bait. The use of bait to take a black bear is prohibited under current law.

An information packet was distributed to the committee (Attachment E).

15HouseState0209AttachE.pdf15HouseState0209AttachE.pdf

02:55 PM -- Holly Tarry, representing Colorado Voters for Animals, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Tarry agreed with Representative Willet's assertion that there is conflict between bears and the public, but stated that this bill would not help things. She suggested a stakeholder process that would take into consideration all different viewpoints.

02:58 PM -- Bob Broscheid, representing the DNR, testified about the bill.

03:01 PM -- Bonnie Brown, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

03:05 PM -- Jen Boulton, representing the Audubon Society of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Boulton spoke about the history of prohibiting bear hunting in Colorado. She expressed concern about overturning citizen-led initiatives. She supported the idea of a stakeholder process.

03:08 PM -- Joe Sperry, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Sperry expressed his opinion that the bill provides the PWC with more tools for wildlife management. He spoke about his experience as a sheep rancher and problems he has had with the increased bear population in recent years.

03:13 PM -- Kent Ingram, representing the Colorado Wildlife Federation, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Ingram indicated that he has seen an amendment that would allow him to support more of the bill. He stressed that he is pro-hunting. He suggested giving the PWC the authority to have a special bear hunting season. He expressed support for a stakeholder process.

03:17 PM -- Julie Hansmire, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Hansmire spoke about her experience as a sheep rancher. She commented that August is a high-activity season for black bears in Colorado. She expressed support for extending the hunting season. She responded to questions from the committee.

03:21 PM -- Wendy Keefover, representing the Humane Society, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Keefover provided four documents to the committee (Attachments F through I). She expressed support for a stakeholder process. She responded to questions from the committee.

15HouseState0209AttachF.pdf15HouseState0209AttachF.pdf 15HouseState0209AttachG.pdf15HouseState0209AttachG.pdf

15HouseState0209AttachH.pdf15HouseState0209AttachH.pdf 15HouseState0209AttachI.pdf15HouseState0209AttachI.pdf

03:31 PM -- Ross Allen, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Allen spoke about his experience as a sheep rancher and discussed the difficulties he has had with bears destroying his livestock. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:39 PM -- Ivan James, representing the Colorado Bowhunters Association, testified in conditional support for the bill. Mr. James spoke about potential unknown consequences of the bill.

03:44 PM -- David McCord, representing the Colorado State Muzzle Loading Association, testified in support of the bill.

03:46 PM -- Denny Behrens, representing the Colorado Mule Deer Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Behrens discussed the growing bear population in Colorado and expressed his opinion that current wildlife management strategies are not adequate to control the black bear population. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:54 PM -- Bill Canterbury, representing the Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Canterbury reiterated the testimony of prior witnesses about the economic losses attributable to bears. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:00 PM -- Daniel Gates, representing the Colorado Trappers Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Gates spoke about the work of his organization.

04:03 PM -- Mike Yeary, representing the United States Department of Agriculture, provided information about the bill. Mr. Yeary spoke about livestock predation and property damage attributable to bears.

04:07 PM -- Chris Jurney, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jurney reiterated the testimony of prior witnesses with regard to wildlife management strategies.

04:09 PM -- Garin Vorthmann, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.

04:10 PM -- Dick Ray, representing the Colorado Outfitters Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ray discussed the nature of bears. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:16 PM -- Tom Kourlis, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.


04:23 PM

Mr. Broscheid returned to the table to provide data about the number of bears in Colorado. He responded to questions from the committee.


04:30 PM

Representative Willett wrapped up his presentation.
BILL:HB15-1099
TIME: 04:32:07 PM
MOVED:Willett
MOTION:Lay over House Bill 15-1099 for greater than 30 days. The motion has the effect of postponing the bill indefinitely. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Salazar
VOTE
Foote
Yes
Humphrey
Yes
Lontine
Yes
Neville P.
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Tate
Yes
Thurlow
Yes
Tyler
Yes
Willett
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Ryden
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS