Date: 04/24/2013

Final
HJR13-1024

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer HJR13-1024 to the Committee of the Whole. ThPASS



10:08 AM -- HJR13-1024

Representative Coram, sponsor, presented House Joint Resolution 13-1024, concerning the state of Colorado's opposition to the designation of the Gunnison sage-grouse as an endangered species. Representative Coram answered questions from the committee regarding the federal endangered species program and the potential implications of designating the Gunnison sage-grouse as an endangered species.

The following persons testified on the bill:

10:21 AM -- Terry Fankhouser, Colorado Cattlemen's Association and Colorado Farm Bureau, spoke in support of the resolution. Mr. Fankhouser detailed the cooperative processes involved in preserving the Gunnison sage-grouse species and the expenses and challenges involved in adding a species to the endangered species list.

10:25 AM -- Dianna Orf, Colorado Mining Association, spoke in support of the resolution and discussed the volunteer work involved in preserving the Gunnison sage-grouse.

10:27 AM -- Jeff Ver Steeg, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks & Wildlife, discussed the efforts that the division has made and money that has been spent to preserve the Gunnison sage-grouse. Mr. Ver Steeg answered questions from the committee regarding the collaboration between the division and the U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife Service that contributed to the preservation of the Gunnison sage-grouse species. Mr. Ver Steeg talked about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's economic analysis that will be released during the summer of 2013. Mr. Ver Steeg answered questions from the committee regarding why this resolution is necessary, the impact of previous Colorado resolutions on Federal government decisions, and if the resolution as written is adequate.

10:36 AM -- John Swartout, representing himself, spoke in support of the resolution. Mr. Swartout discussed how this resolution will help protect habitats and encourage collaboration, and said that the listing of the Gunnison sage-grouse as an endangered species is not necessary and that a message needs to be sent to the Federal government that the state of Colorado has successfully preserved the Gunnison sage-grouse.

10:40 AM

Representative Coram closed his remarks on the resolution. Committee discussion on the resolution ensued.

BILL:HJR13-1024
TIME: 10:49:28 AM
MOVED:Coram
MOTION:Refer HJR13-1024 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-2.
SECONDED:Vigil
VOTE
Buck
Yes
Coram
Yes
Garcia
Yes
Lebsock
No
McLachlan
Yes
McNulty
Yes
Mitsch Bush
Yes
Rankin
Yes
Rosenthal
No
Saine
Yes
Sonnenberg
Yes
Vigil
Yes
Fischer
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS