Date: 01/30/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1113

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer the bill to the Committee of the Whole. ThePASS


01:46 PM -- House Bill 06-1113

Representative McGihon, sponsor, presented the bill regarding the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission's authority to adopt clean air measures more stringent than federal standards. She discussed changes to the State Implementation (SIP) legislators considered in 2005 and recent occurrences of smog, brown cloud, and high mercury levels in Colorado. She stated the bill will improve the Commission's ability to ensure clean air. She discussed Colorado law addressing control of mercury emissions. She stated cleaner air will promote Coloradans' health. Representative McGihon answered questions about how the bill might be "good for business," costs associated with implementing the bill, and the Commission's rule-making authority. Representative Berens discussed local government's interest in air quality standards. Representative Boyd discussed legislative oversight of changes to the SIP. Representative Berens distributed a letter to members (Attachment A).

The following persons testified.

02:17 PM -- Toni Gagliardi, National Federation of Independent Businesses, stated his opposition to the bill. He said the bill will open the door to litigation against small businesses. Representative Lundberg asked questions regarding the effect of rule changes on small businesses. Mr. Gagliardi answered questions about cost-benefit analyses of rule changes.

02:23 PM -- Jim Sanderson, Colorado Petroleum Association, Platte River, and Tri-state Colorado Springs Utility, stated his opposition to the bill. He discussed current state law regarding changes to the SIP and legislative review of the plan. He described state-only and federally-enforceable air quality regulations.

02:31 PM -- Landon Gates, Colorado Farm Bureau, stated concerns the Bureau has with the bill's provisions. These include possible increased costs to farm productions.

02:33 PM -- Thor Nelson, Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI), discussed CACI's membership and stated his opposition to the bill. He stated the current practice of adopting federal regulations offers benefits such as a level playing field among businesses in different states. Opportunities and jobs will be lost if Colorado's air quality standards are more stringent than other states' standards. He answered questions about the federal Clean Air Act and local government control over air quality regulations.

02:43 PM -- Vicki Patton, Rocky Mountain Office of Environmental Defense, stated her support for the bill and distributed a document to members (Attachment B and C). She described the bill as allowing the Commission to consider air quality control standards that are more restrictive than federal regulations. She answered questions about Environmental Defense's non-partisan status.

02:56 PM -- Greg Thomas, City and County of Denver, stated his support for the bill. He stated the bill allows the Commission to consider and adopt regulations that are more stringent than federal standards. He answered questions about Denver's role in addressing recent changes to the New Source Review program and air quality regulatory changes Denver may favor.

03:05 PM -- Pam Milmoe, Boulder County Public Health and Boulder County Commissioners, stated her support for the bill. She described the difficulty local government agencies have had in preserving air quality standards.

03:08 PM -- Nancy Severson, Public Health Directors of Colorado, stated her support for the bill. She described Colorado as having unique environmental concerns. Representative Green stated her support for the bill.

03:11 PM -- Curt Huber, American Lung Association of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. He described the Association's work toward changing federal level regulations. He described a recent federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study of the health effects of particulate matter.


03:15 PM

Representative McGihon made concluding remarks. Committee members made final comments.
BILL:HB06-1113
TIME: 03:21:25 PM
MOVED:McGihon
MOTION:Refer the bill to the Committee of the Whole. The bill passed 7-6.
SECONDED:Weissmann
VOTE
Berens
No
Clapp
No
Cloer
No
Green
Yes
Lundberg
No
McGihon
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
No
Sullivan
No
Weissmann
Yes
Frangas
Yes
Boyd
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS