Date: 02/01/2006
Final
Department of Agriculture
COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
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09:48 AM -- Briefing on the Colorado Department of Agriculture
Don Ament, Commissioner of Agriculture, summarized the major functions of the Colorado Department of Agriculture (Attachment A).
09:51 AM
Sheldon Jones, Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, described the department's FY 2006-07 budget priorities identified in its 2005 strategic plan. For a copy of the plan, contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture.
09:58 AM
Commissioner Ament described the department's homeland security efforts including an animal identification program to improve the traceability of animals and prevent the spread of animal diseases. Committee discussion followed about the need to protect the personal information of agricultural producers in the animal identification program (Attachment B).
10:09 AM
Commissioner Ament described the regulation of private pesticide applicators in Colorado and commented on proposed legislation to authorize the department to regulate these applicators (see Attachment A, page 8). He explained that the indirect cost caps were eliminated in 2003 for the Brand Inspection, Chemigation, and Mandatory Fruit and Vegetable funds due to General Fund shortfalls (Attachment A, page 8). He also described efforts to restore the caps to allow additional General Fund moneys to be used to pay for these programs. Committee discussion followed about the need to restore the indirect cost caps for these three programs.
10:23 AM
Commissioner Ament described the budget request for the State Fair Authority and efforts to increase its profitability. He explained department has requested $4.3 million in FY2006-07 to pay for the State Fair's debt and an operating loan (Attachment A, page 9). Committee discussion followed about the priority of funding the $4.3 million for the State Fair and restoring the indirect cost caps for programs in the department.
10:38 AM
Deputy Commissioner Jones summarized the Department of Agriculture's 5-Year Initiative including restoring General Funding of the indirect cost caps for inspection programs, assistance for the State Fair, and reducing fees collected by the Inspection and Consumer Services Division (Attachment A, page 11).