Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy (05/02/2006)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY

Date:	05/02/2006	ATTENDANCE

Time:	07:37 AM to 08:30 AM	Brophy	X
		Entz	X
Place:	SCR 353	Groff	E
		Taylor	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Tochtrop	X
	Senator Isgar	Grossman	E
		Isgar	X
This Report was prepared by
	Geoff Johnson
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
HB06-1384 HB06-1400 HB06-1393 Discussion of Hunting in RMNP		Referred to Appropriations Referred to Appropriations Referred to Appropriations -

07:37 AM -- House Bill 06-1384

Senator Tapia, prime sponsor, said that HB 06-1384 was developed in cooperation with the Governor's Office. The bill would appropriate moneys from the Colorado Travel and Tourism Promotion Fund to the Colorado State Fair Authority. He said that the bill is essential for the support of the Fair. The bill will provide sufficient funds to pay off the Fair's debt. He described the future allocation of funds under the bill and said that the Fair's debt has been a burden for the State Fair Board for years.

07:47 AM -- Chris Wisemen, Colorado State Fair, said that he appreciates the bill. He said that most state fairs struggle without some sort of subsidy. He commented on support provided by Pueblo County and the City of Pueblo.


BILL:	HB06-1384
TIME:	07:51:22 AM
MOVED:	Taylor
MOTION:	Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 4-0-3.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Brophy	Yes
	Entz	Yes
	Groff	Excused
	Taylor	Yes
	Tochtrop	Excused
	Grossman	Excused
	Isgar	Yes
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 0 EXC: 3 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

07:52 AM -- House Bill 06-1400

Senator Isgar, prime sponsor, described the bill which approves the state's interbasin compact charter.

07:53 AM -- Russell George, Department of Natural Resources, said that he is the administrator of interbasin compacts for the state. He commented on the participation of citizens across the state in the development of the interbasin compact. He commented on moves of water districts from one Division to another under the bill and, on the fiscal impact of the bill. He discussed necessary expenditures which would be funded by the bill. Senator Isgar commented on the benefits of the interbasin compact process. Mr. George commented on the appointment of the members of the Roundtable.


BILL:	HB06-1400
TIME:	08:10:10 AM
MOVED:	Isgar
MOTION:	Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 5-0-2.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Brophy	Yes
	Entz	Yes
	Groff	Excused
	Taylor	Yes
	Tochtrop	Yes
	Grossman	Excused
	Isgar	Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

08:10 AM -- House Bill 06-1393

Senator Isgar, prime sponsor, commented on the bill which would authorize the appropriation of funds from the Severance Tax Trust Fund for soil conservation districts.

08:13 AM -- Callie Hendrickson, Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, told the committee how the funding provided by the bill would be used. She commented on reductions of federal funds for this purpose. She commented on the matching of these funds with federal funds.

08:21 AM -- Sheldon Jones, Department of Agriculture, was present to answer questions.


BILL:	HB06-1393
TIME:	08:23:49 AM
MOVED:	Isgar
MOTION:	Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 5-0-2.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Brophy	Yes
	Entz	Yes
	Groff	Excused
	Taylor	Yes
	Tochtrop	Yes
	Grossman	Excused
	Isgar	Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

08:25 AM

Senator Tochtrop commented on the possibility of having hunting privileges granted for specific categories of persons in Rocky Mountain National Park.

08:26 AM -- Russell George, Department of Natural Resources, said that federal law prohibits any type of private citizen hunting in the Park.