Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY

Date:03/23/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:43 PM to 04:09 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-State Land Board
HB06-1124
HB06-1132
HB06-1293
HB06-1147
HB06-1313		Recommended
Referred to Appropriations
Referred to Appropriations
Referred to Appropriations
Referred to Appropriations
Amended, Referred to Appropriations

01:44 PM

Britt Weygandt, Director, State Land Board, introduced the appointees to the State Land Board. She spoke of the qualifications and experiences of the appointees.

01:47 PM -- Pat Teegarden, Denver, spoke of his experiences on the Board.

01:47 PM -- Shirley Watson, Fort Collins, said that she is grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board.

01:48 PM -- Steve Holdren, Greeley, spoke of his experiences relevant to service on the Board.
BILL:Confirmations - State Land Board
TIME: 02:00:49 PM
MOVED:Groff
MOTION:Recommended three to the State Land Board. The motion passed 7-0-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Entz
Yes
Groff
Yes
Taylor
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Isgar
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



02:02 PM -- House Bill 06-1124

Senator Owen, prime sponsor, commented on the bill. He said that the bill would allow water judges to approve certain contracts, noted that the bill will help local agricultural economies, and help with weed and dust control. He said that the bill will not encourage the sale of water rights to cities and noted that the bill is supported by local irrigators.

02:08 PM -- Steve Sims, Denver, commented on "interruptible supply plans." He said that it may be possible to accomplish the goals of the bill under current law, however, this could require litigation.

02:50 PM -- Dick Wolff, Colorado State Engineer's Office, commented on prior legislation which addressed this subject. He said that the plan must be administered by the State Engineer. He commented on renewal and administrative fees in the bill. He said that the bill is simply another tool that allows changes in water rights to occur.

02:58 PM -- Mary Brown, Colorado Water Congress, supported the bill. She said that Denver Water also supports the bill and that the bill doesn't change the standards under which a sale of water may occur. It simply gives water owners another opportunity to gain value from their water rights by providing more flexibility.

03:02 PM -- Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District, supported the bill.
BILL:HB06-1124
TIME: 03:05:38 PM
MOVED:Brophy
MOTION:Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 5-2-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Entz
No
Groff
Yes
Taylor
No
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Isgar
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



03:09 PM -- House Bill 06-1132

Senator Isgar, prime sponsor, said that the bill was brought to him by the Department of Agriculture. The bill allows "impound agencies" to sell impounded or abandoned animals.

03:12 PM -- Sheldon Jones, Department of Agriculture, supported HB 06-1132 which allows the sale of animals, and in particular livestock. The bill allows an opportunity for a hearing prior to sale. The bill also allows for the posting of bonds, and provides procedures for the payment of restitution.

03:18 PM -- Peg Ackerman, Colorado County Sheriffs, said the sheriffs support the bill and that it would expedite their ability to sell the animals.
BILL:HB06-1132
TIME: 03:22:08 PM
MOVED:Isgar
MOTION:Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 7-0-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Entz
Yes
Groff
Yes
Taylor
Yes
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Isgar
Yes
Not Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:23 PM -- House Bill 06-1293

Senator Grossman, prime sponsor, commented on the bill which would allow for an increase of fees charged by the State Engineer's Office.

03:24 PM -- Dick Wolfe, State Engineer's Office, explained that the bill would increase fees for plan review by the State Engineer's Office, by $250 per plan, and $40 per plan for renewals.

03:30 PM -- Ben Frei, Colorado Rock Products, supported the bill. He said that it would expedite approval of supply plans.


03:31 PM -- Doug Kemper, Colorado Water Congress, supported the bill.
BILL:HB06-1293
TIME: 03:33:45 PM
MOVED:Grossman
MOTION:Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 5-1-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Yes
Entz
Yes
Groff
Yes
Taylor
No
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Isgar
Excused
Not Final YES: 5 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:36 PM -- House Bill 06-1147

Senator Johnson, prime sponsor, commented on negotiations on the bill, and asked for the Committee's support. (Testimony on this bill was taken at an earlier meeting.)
BILL:HB06-1147
TIME: 03:38:31 PM
MOVED:Tochtrop
MOTION:Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 3-1-3.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
No
Entz
Excused
Groff
Yes
Taylor
Excused
Tochtrop
Yes
Grossman
Yes
Isgar
Excused
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 1 EXC: 3 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



03:42 PM -- House Bill 06-1313

Senator Isgar, prime sponsor, said that the bill would fund projects administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

03:43 PM -- Rod Kuharich, Colorado Water Conservation Board, commented on this year's "project bill." He spoke of the projects that are "waiting in the wings" for funding. Two of the projects deal with satellite monitoring for stream gauging. He commented on additional projects which could proceed under the bill, and the status of ongoing projects. He said that some of these projects may be leveraged with federal moneys. He updated the committee on a weather modification project. He walked the committee through the remaining projects in the bill.

03:58 PM -- Doug Kemper, Colorado Water Congress, supported the bill.
BILL:HB06-1313
TIME: 04:10:36 PM
MOVED:Isgar
MOTION:Moved a prepared amendment to the bill L. 003 (Attachment A.) The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Entz
Groff
Taylor
Tochtrop
Grossman
Isgar
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB06-1313
TIME: 04:11:21 PM
MOVED:Tochtrop
MOTION:Moved to change $75,000 on page 7, lines 25 and 26 of the bill to $175,000. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Brophy
Entz
Groff
Taylor
Tochtrop
Grossman
Isgar
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB06-1313
TIME: 04:08:26 PM
MOVED:Isgar
MOTION:Moved to refer the bill to the Committee on Appropriations, as amended. 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