Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB05-1177

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY

Votes:
Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.022 (Attachment A). The motion
Moved amendment L.025 (Attachment B). The motion
Moved amendment L.026 (Attachment C). The motion
Moved to refer HB 05-1177, as amended, to the Sena		Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
Pass Without Objection
PASS


01:45 PM -- House Bill 05-1177

Senator Isgar gave an overview of the bill concerning the negotiation of interbasin compacts regarding the equitable division of the state's waters. Three amendments were distributed to the committee, and included L.022 (Attachment A), L.025 (Attachment B), and L.026 (Attachment C). The following individuals testified:


01:49 PM -- Russell George, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), described the background and need for development of the bill, particularly in regard to water supply and demand issues in the state. He also noted that the Statewide Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) has helped with some of these issues, but that more needs to be done. Mr. George emphasized that it is important to recognize that water planning should primarily revolve around water basins, rather than municipalities, counties, or even states. He noted that there has been a lot of collaboration on this bill among various water interests in the state, and that the question was posed to those interests of what they wanted to get out of this bill to garner their input and support for the bill. He further stated that he hopes that, if passed, the bill and the framework it establishes will be the preferred method of dealing with water issues and negotiations in the state. Responding to a committee question, Mr. George said he does not foresee the interbasin compact committee created by the bill replacing the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB).


02:11 PM

Senator Entz expressed concern about proposed amendment L.025 to the bill that would allow a representative from outside of a river basin to represent that basin if the basin chooses to not participate in the interbasin compact committee.


02:13 PM

Frank McNulty, Assistant Director for Water, DNR, walked through the pre-amended version (original introduced version) of the bill, and noted the amendments that were adopted in the House.


02:24 PM

Mr. McNulty described the rationale for using the language "agent" in connection to a water right owner in amendment L.025, noting that an "agent" is a legal term for someone who acts on behalf of and with authority from the water right owner.


02:28 PM -- Peter Nichols, Lower Arkansas Water Conservancy District, testified in favor of the bill.


02:33 PM -- Sara Duncan, Colorado Water Congress, and Denver Water Department, testified in favor of the bill.


02:40 PM -- Jen Boulton, Colorado Trout Unlimited (CTU), testified regarding the bill. She stated that CTU is neutral in its position on the bill, but does support amendment L.026.


02:41 PM -- Margy Christiansen, city of Aurora, testified in favor of the bill.


02:45 PM -- Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District (CRWCD), testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Treese noted that CRWCD played a major role in drafting the language for amendment L.025 that adds the word "agent" to mean an acting representative of a water right owner. Senator Hillman expressed concern about using the term "agent" to represent a water right owner, and said he would like additional clarification on that term added to the bill. Mr. Treese said he would be willing to work with Senator Hillman on his request.


02:51 PM -- Kevin Bommer, Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.


02:56 PM -- Ben Way, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in favor the bill.


02:58 PM -- Dick MacRavey, Colorado Water Congress (CWC), testified in support of the bill. He noted that CWC's vote on the bill was 48 members in support, and 11 members against.

BILL:HB05-1177
TIME: 03:02:16 PM
MOVED:Isgar
MOTION:Moved to refer HB 05-1177, as amended, to the Senate Appropriations committee. The motion passed 7-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Entz
Yes
Groff
Yes
Hillman
Yes
Taylor
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Isgar
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:HB05-1177
TIME: 03:02:58 PM
MOVED:Isgar
MOTION:Moved amendment L.022 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Entz
Groff
Hillman
Taylor
Tochtrop
Grossman
Isgar
Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB05-1177
TIME: 03:03:11 PM
MOVED:Isgar
MOTION:Moved amendment L.025 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Entz
Groff
Hillman
Taylor
Tochtrop
Grossman
Isgar
Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB05-1177
TIME: 03:08:36 PM
MOVED:Isgar
MOTION:Moved amendment L.026 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Entz
Groff
Hillman
Taylor
Tochtrop
Grossman
Isgar
Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection




03:16 PM

The meeting was adjourned.