Joint Committee Committee on Joint Agriculture and Natural Resources (01/18/2006)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Date:	01/18/2006	ATTENDANCE

Time:	07:36 AM to 08:54 AM	Brophy	E
		Entz	*
Place:	HCR 0112	Gallegos	*
		Gardner	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Groff	E
	Senator Isgar	Grossman	E
		Harvey	E
This Report was prepared by		Hodge	X
	David Beaujon	Hoppe	X
		McFadyen	E
		McKinley	X
		Rose	X
		Solano	E
		Taylor	X
		Tochtrop	X
		White	X
		Curry	X
		Isgar	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
JBC Briefing on Department of Agriculture JBC Briefing on Department of Natural Resources		Briefing Briefing

07:41 AM - Budget Briefing on Department of Agriculture

Senator Tapia, Joint Budget Committee (JBC), summarized the budget request for the Department of Agriculture in FY 2006-07 and distributed a JBC memorandum (Attachment A). He identified the key responsibilities of the department and provided an overview of factors driving the its budget, including inspection fees. Most of the department's budget comes from cash funds (fees). Approximately 14 percent of its budget comes from the General Fund. The department is requesting funding for 276 full time employees, an increase of one over the previous year.

07:48 AM

Representative Plant, JBC Chairman, identified priority decision items for the Department of Agriculture's budget in FY 2006-07, including $124,000 and an FTE for an animal identification programmer. Committee discussion followed about state support for the State Fair Authority and efforts by the authority to increase its self sufficiency. Committee discussion also followed about the payment of the department's indirect costs using brand inspection moneys and whether these expenses should be paid for with General Fund moneys.

08:10 AM

Senator Tapia explained that the JBC is requesting that the Colorado Department of Agriculture and other departments prepare five year plans to accommodate long term goals and better address changes in state revenue. Committee discussion followed about the role of Joint House and Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in helping the JBC prioritize potential restoration of funding for programs that were reduced or eliminated due to revenue shortfalls.

08:18 AM - Budget Briefing on Department of Natural Resources

Representative Plant described major revenue sources for the Colorado Department of Revenue and identified the factors driving the department's budget (Attachment A, page 9 - 34). Committee discussion followed about the factors driving increased severance tax revenue and potential uses of these money including additional staff to review oil and gas well permits. Representative Plant described SB 96-170 that allocates severance tax revenue. Committee discussion followed about proposed uses of the severance tax revenue allocated to the Colorado Department of Natural Resources.

08:39 AM

The committee discussed the allocation of severance tax revenue to the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) and its potential effect on programs in the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Senator Plant explained that well permit fees will expire in 2006-07 unless the law is amended to continue the collection of these fees. The department is requesting that the Division of Water Resources' programs that use these fees be allowed to continue but that they be paid for with General Funds. Discussion followed about the department's request for general fund moneys to pay for an increase of the vehicle milage allowance for its employees.

08:53 AM

The meeting adjourned.