Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY

Date:03/30/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:39 PM to 04:16 PM
Brophy
X
Entz
X
Place:SCR 353
Groff
X
Taylor
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Tochtrop
X
Senator Isgar
Grossman
X
Isgar
X
This Report was prepared by
Geoff Johnson
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Conf 06-Water Resources and Power Development Authority
Conf 06-Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee
SB06-215
HB06-1325
HB06-1337		Recommended
Recommended
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to Appropriations

01:41 PM

Dan Law, Executive Director, Colorado Water resources and Power Development Authority, commented on funding for the Authority. He also commented on loans that will be made for drinking water systems and described additional activities of the Authority.

01:46 PM -- Ann Nichols, Manitou Springs, commented on her service to the Authority.

01:48 PM -- Doug Monger, Hayden, commented on his prior experiences relevant to the work of the Authority.

01:52 PM -- Clair Orr, Kersey, spoke of his work history and its relevance to the Authority.
BILL:Conf 06-Water Resources and Power Development Authority
TIME: 01:54:50 PM
MOVED:Taylor
MOTION:Moved to recommend three persons for confirmation to the Water Resources and Power Development Authority. The motion passed 6-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Entz
Yes
Groff
Yes
Taylor
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Excused
Isgar
Yes
Not Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


01:58 PM

Bruce McCloskey , Director, Colorado Division of Wildlife, commented on the creation of the Habitat Stamp. He said that funds generated under this program are earmarked for wildlife habitat protection. A committee has been formed to direct spending of funds for the program. All of the Governor's appointments to the Committee were present at the meeting, with the exception of Caroline Doyle. Mr. McCloskey expects that about $2.5 million in annual funding will be available to the Committee.

02:04 PM -- Jean Stetson, Craig, commented on the role of farmers and ranchers in protecting habitat.

02:05 PM -- Wendy Keefover-Ring, Broomfield, Sinapu, spoke of her interest in protecting wildlife.

02:05 PM -- Dan Larkin, Salida, said that he is a sportsman and that he would like to give something back for the enjoyment he has had in the outdoors.

02:06 PM -- Kenneth Smith, Center, said that he is a strong supporter of wildlife.

02:06 PM -- Brad Coors, said that he has a passion for the outdoors and wants to support wildlife habitat.

02:07 PM -- Les White, Gunnison, spoke of his interest in the preservation of habitat.

02:07 PM -- Denny Behrens, Grand Junction, spoke of his concerns about loss of habitat.

02:08 PM -- Ron Velarde, Grand Junction, spoke of his experiences with the Division of Wildlife.

02:09 PM -- Tom Kenyon, Grand Junction, spoke of his experiences in state government, and the need to balance protection of habitat and development.


02:11 PM -- Scott Hoover, Golden, spoke of his work with the Division of Wildlife, and his interest in protecting habitat.
BILL:Conf 06-Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee
TIME: 02:17:53 PM
MOVED:Taylor
MOTION:Moved to recommend eleven members of the Habitat Stamp Committee for confirmation to the full Senate. The motion passed 6-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Entz
Yes
Groff
Yes
Taylor
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Excused
Isgar
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:26 PM -- Senate Bill 06-215

Senator McElhany, prime sponsor, said that the bill would re-establish a preference system for military personnel who have missed their opportunity to draw hunting licenses. He said that he left the title of the bill broad so that other issues might be addressed in the bill.

02:30 PM -- Henrietta Turner, Colorado Division of Wildlife, was present to answer questions. She commented on the numbers of applications that would be expected under the bill.


02:31 PM -- Bruce McCloskey, Division of Wildlife, supported the bill.
BILL:SB06-215
TIME: 02:33:27 PM
MOVED:Taylor
MOTION:Moved to refer the bill to the Committee of the Whole and to the Consent Calendar. The motion passed 6-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Entz
Yes
Groff
Yes
Taylor
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Isgar
Excused
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:36 PM -- House Bill 06-1325

Senator Takis, prime sponsor, said that Colorado's use of electricity has increased dramatically in the last decade and that more transmission will be needed in the future. She said that there is no current statewide plan for electrical transmission in the state. The bill would create a task force to do this. The group would meet four times and report late this year. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is allowed to accept grants for the work of the Task Force. She said that the PUC staff would not conduct the study, but that they would hire the consultants and participate in the study. However, it is not intended that PUC staff be involved extensively with the study.

02:40 PM -- Doug Dean, Director, PUC, said that he supports the bill, but that he is in opposition to its fiscal note. He said that funding in the bill is insufficient to cover the costs of hiring a consultant to conduct the study. He said that he believes that the purposes of the bill are good, but that the costs of doing the study are not provided.

02:47 PM -- Donna Johnston, Colorado Rural Electric Association, supported the bill.

02:48 PM -- Fred Stoffel, Xcel Energy, supported the bill.

02:52 PM -- Craig Cox, Interwest Energy Alliance, said that his organization represents wind farms. He commented on current wind energy in the state.


03:07 PM -- Doug Dean, commented on the costs that are expected by the PUC staff for implementation of the bill.
BILL:HB06-1325
TIME: 03:17:33 PM
MOVED:Tochtrop
MOTION:Moved to refer the bill to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 6-0-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Entz
Yes
Groff
Excused
Taylor
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Isgar
Yes
Not Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:18 PM -- House Bill 06-1337

Senator Entz, said that the bill changes penalties for violations of water quality control standards and that the bill would set penalties similar to those in surrounding states.

03:24 PM -- Howard Roitman, Colorado Department of Health, commented on situations in which entities are unable to pay fines.

03:27 PM -- Andy Colosimo, Colorado Springs Utilities, opposed the bill. He said that they believe that the penalty system works well as it stands. He said that the utility regrets spills that have occurred in the last year. He commented on reasons for last year's spills. He said that they are doing everything possible to upgrade their system.

03:37 PM -- Stan Dempsey, Colorado Petroleum Association, opposed the bill. He disagreed with the premise that increased penalties will bring about increased compliance. He said that there is no justification for raising the penalties. He assumes that the current penalty levels are sufficient.

03:52 PM -- Howard Roitman commented on policies of the Department of Health in regard to violations.

03:56 PM -- Dianna Orf, Colorado Mining Association, said that her members have questioned the need to raise the amounts of the penalties.


03:59 PM -- Jenn Bolton, Trout Unlimited, Audubon Society, said that the bill will not change the operations of the Department, it merely raises maximum penalties.
BILL:HB06-1337
TIME: 04:12:20 PM
MOVED:Brophy
MOTION:Moved a prepared amendment to the bill, L.005 (Attachment A). The motion failed 1-6-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Entz
No
Groff
No
Taylor
No
Tochtrop
No
Grossman
No
Isgar
No
Not Final YES: 1 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:HB06-1337
TIME: 04:14:13 PM
MOVED:Entz
MOTION:Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 5-2-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
No
Entz
Yes
Groff
Yes
Taylor
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Isgar
No
Final YES: 5 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS