Senate Committee on Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy (03/08/2006)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENERGY

Date:	03/08/2006	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:15 AM to 11:21 AM	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-Oil and Gas Conservation Commission HB06-1204 HB06-1210		Recommended to the Full Senate Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to the Committee of the Whole

10:16 AM

Sam Potter, Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, commented on his confirmation to the Commission. He commented on the possibility that pressure is being applied to landowners to sign surface use agreements. Senator Taylor commented on the responsiveness of the Oil and Gas Commission to public health matters.

10:25 AM -- Brian Macke, Director, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, commented on inspectors which are available to respond to complaints from the public. He discussed the Division's response to odor complaints. He said that in some cases there could be other reasons for health problems that have been reported. Senator Taylor said that in many cases these people have been in their homes for many years and have developed problems after the commencement of drilling.

10:33 AM -- Mr. Potter commented on monitoring of air quality near oil and gas developments. Peter Mueller, Chairman, Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, commented on notice requirements for drilling. He said that any member of the public may call the Commission if they are feeling pressure to sign a surface use agreement.


BILL:	Conf 06-Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
TIME:	10:42:45 AM
MOVED:	Taylor
MOTION:	Moved to recommend the confirmation of Sam Potter to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to the Full Senate. 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

10:45 AM -- Recess

10:52 AM -- House Bill 06-1204

Senator Taylor, prime sponsor, commented on HB 06-1204 which would extend the Coal Mine Board of Examiners sunset date until July 1, 2020. The bill has gone through the sunset process.

10:53 AM -- Ron Catany, Division of Minerals and Geology, supported the bill.

10:54 AM -- Robert Holden, Department of Regulatory Agencies, commented on the coal mine industry. He said that the bill would enhance safety for Colorado miners. He said that the agency supports the bill. He commented on amendments to the bill that were put on in the House.

10:58 AM -- Dianna Orf, Colorado Mining Association, said that all 12 Colorado coal mines are members of her organization. She commented on the regulation of coal mines under the bill.

11:00 AM -- Ron Cattany, said that the federal government conducts mine safety inspection. He said that there are about 1,900 coal miners in the state. He said that there have been no deaths at Colorado coal mines since 2000.


BILL:	HB06-1204
TIME:	11:07:32 AM
MOVED:	Grossman
MOTION:	Moved to substitute language on Page 2, line 20 of the bill to define when a confidential letter of concern may be used, L. 002, with two changes (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:	HB06-1204
TIME:	11:11:09 AM
MOVED:	Taylor
MOTION:	Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee of the Whole, as amended. 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

11:12 AM -- House Bill 06-1210

Senator Tochtrop, prime sponsor, said that the bill would increase the number of members of the Colorado Recreational Trails Committee. This member would represent Great Outdoors Colorado as a voting member.

11:13 AM -- Rick Storm, Colorado State Parks, expressed the State Park Board's support for the bill.

11:14 AM -- John Swartout, Executive Director, Great Outdoors Colorado, supported the bill.


BILL:	HB06-1210
TIME:	11:19:48 AM
MOVED:	Tochtrop
MOTION:	Moved that the bill be referred to the Committee of the Whole, and placed on the consent calendar. 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