Date: 02/11/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1119

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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11:55 AM -- HB15-1119

The committee took a brief recess.


12:02 PM

The committee returned to order.

Representative Buck, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1119. This bill provides for the compensation of a royalty owner when a local ordinance, resolution, or other policy prohibits the practice of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, to recover oil and gas within a local government's jurisdiction. The local government is liable to the royalty owner for the value of royalties not received due to the prohibition. Representative Buck responded to questions from the committee.


12:06 PM

Committee discussion of the merits of the bill ensued.

12:17 PM -- Michelle Smith, representing the National Association of Royalty Owners, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Smith spoke at length about mineral ownership. She responded to questions from the committee.

12:34 PM -- Kevin Lynch, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Lynch spoke about court cases addressing the takings law and public nuisance. He responded to questions to the committee.

12:45 PM -- Tony Gagliardi, representing the National Federation of Independent Business, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Gagliardi spoke about the protection of private property rights. He responded to questions from the committee.

12:51 PM -- Amanda Harper, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Harper spoke about how much she enjoys living on her property. She described the fracking wells that are planned in her neighborhood. She responded to questions from the committee.

01:00 PM -- Dan O'Connell, representing the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, testified in support of the bill. Mr. O'Connell spoke about private property rights and the economic effects of fracking. He responded to questions from the committee.

01:05 PM -- Jennifer Carroll, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Carroll discussed the use of community moratoria on fracking. She expressed her opinion that fracking produces negative impacts on homeowners. She responded to questions from the committee.

01:14 PM -- Neil Ray, representing the National Association of Royalty Owners, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ray provided written testimony (Attachment C). He read his prepared remarks. He responded to questions from the committee.

15HouseState0211AttachC.pdf15HouseState0211AttachC.pdf

01:23 PM -- Steve Mast, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mast discussed property rights.

01:25 PM -- Bob Winter, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Winter discussed property rights. He responded to questions from the committee.


01:32 PM

Representative Ryden announced that HB 15-1119 and HB 15-1148 would be laid over to a later date. She also stated that anyone who had already signed up to testify on HB 15-1119 would be allowed to testify when the bill is brought before the committee again.


01:34 PM

The committee adjourned.