Colorado Legislative Council Staff

REVISED FISCAL IMPACT

(replaces no fiscal impact dated February 4, 1999)

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE ELIMINATION OF THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE ENGINEER BE COMPENSATED FOR SERVICES RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SETTLEMENT OF A BOUNDARY DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO COUNTIES.

Summary of Assessment

            The reengrossed bill provides that the Office of the State Engineer will be reimbursed for the expenses of any survey conducted in connection with a boundary dispute pursuant to Section 30-6-110, C.R.S., and that such expenses shall be borne equally by the counties involved in the boundary dispute. The bill eliminates the current statutory requirement that the State Engineer be allowed $10 per diem and actual and necessary expenses. The bill would become effective 90 days after the Legislature adjourns unless a referendum petition is filed and approved by the voters.

            The Office of State Engineer is seldom involved in the resolution of boundary disputes under these statutory provisions. The change of this statutory requirement is not expected to affect the current expenditures or revenues of the Office of State Engineer, Division of Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources, or any other state agency. Counties will continue to bear any expenses in connection with the resolution of a county's boundary. Therefore, this bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.

Departments Contacted

            Local Affairs              Natural Resources