Bill Summary for Bill Number HB09-1071

Date: 02/03/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1071

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved prepared amendment L.003 (Attachment H), as Moved prepared amendment L.005 (Attachment I). Th Moved to refer House Bill 09-1071, as amended, to	Pass Without Objection Pass Without Objection PASS

03:52 PM -- House Bill 09-1071

Representative Gagliardi, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1071, concerning the moneys in the search and rescue fund, and, in connection therewith, increasing surcharges on outdoor recreation activities and expanding the use of moneys in the fund. Representative Gagliardi provided background on the bill, and explained the effect of the bill.

03:58 PM

The following persons testified regarding House Bill 09-1071:

04:00 PM -- Mr. Ivan James, representing the Colorado Bowhunters Association, testified against the bill. Mr. James explained that sportsmen provide the bulk of the funding for search and rescue activities through fees, and this population is far less likely to be the subject of search and rescue operations than other populations. Mr. James also said he is not aware of increased needs for search and rescue operations, and requested greater involvement from sportsmen in the process of budgeting for search and rescue.

04:06 PM -- Ms. Suzanne O'Neill, representing the Colorado Wildlife Federation, testified in opposition to House Bill 09-1071. Ms. O'Neill discussed the number of cards that have been sold to date, the revenue of which funds searches and rescues, and the lack of notification to the sporting community regarding the need for increased funding for search and rescue. Ms. O'Neill responded to questions regarding her position on a forthcoming amendment.

04:09 PM -- Mr. Rick Storm, representing the Division of State Parks within the Department of Natural Resources, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Storm explained the work of the division, and discussed the fiscal impact of House Bill 09-1071 on the department. Mr. Storm explained how forthcoming amendment L.003 (Attachment H) may mitigate the fiscal impact of the bill.

04:12 PM -- Mr. Bruce Fosdick, representing the Colorado Search and Rescue Board, testified in favor of House Bill 09-1071. Mr. Fosdick discussed the work of his organization, and explained how search and rescue operations are staffed and funded. Mr. Fosdick also explained how the differing levels of searches are funded, and the shortfall in funding for Tier 3 rescue operations. Mr. Fosdick responded to questions regarding the costs associated with search and rescue operations, and the depletion of the Search and Rescue Fund. Mr. Fosdick responded to further questions regarding the types of individuals that are the subject of search and rescue operations. Discussion ensued regarding the process by which certain sporting populations can contribute to the Search and Rescue Fund. Discussion followed regarding the Habitat Stamp.

04:22 PM

Mr. Fosdick responded to questions regarding the charging of individuals who are the subject of search and rescue operations, and how counties recoup costs associated with search and rescue operations. Mr. Fosdick responded to further questions regarding the fact that sportsmen contribute the majority of moneys to the Search and Rescue Fund, and contributions by boaters to the fund. Discussion ensued regarding contributions by skiers to the Search and Rescue Fund, and the number of skiers that are the subjects of search and rescue operations. Discussion followed regarding additional sources of funding for search and rescue operations, including assessing a fee to skiers.

04:29 PM -- Mr. Jim Alderden, representing the County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Alderden discussed dive rescue services funded from the Search and Rescue Fund, and the small amounts involved in the fees assessed to fund search and rescue operations. Mr. Alderden also discussed the populations that are the subject of search and rescue operations, and explained how additional funding would help contribute to training and equipment for search and rescue operations. Mr. Alderden responded to questions regarding the cost of the card that funds search and rescue operations, and explained the search and rescue community's position on directly charging the subjects of search and rescue operations. Mr. Alderden explained how fines are collected when the subject of a search and rescue operation is rescued while engaged in illegal activity. Mr. Alderden responded to further questions regarding ways in which the cards sold to fund search and rescue operations could be marketed more effectively.

04:42 PM

Discussion continued regarding ways in which marketing the Search and Rescue fund could be executed more effectively.

04:43 PM -- Mr. Jeff Hiebert, representing Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States, testified in favor of House Bill 09-1071. Mr. Hiebert discussed the lack of adequate funding for search and rescue operations, and funding for training and equipment apart from fees assessed certain recreational populations. Mr. Hiebert also discussed the merits of forthcoming amendment L.003, and the lack of public knowledge regarding the Search and Rescue Card.

04:46 PM -- Mr. Rod "Seaux" Larreau, representing Rocky Mountain Trackers, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Larreau discussed a situation in which a man went missing while engaged in outdoor recreation, and addressed the issue of levying a charge on those who are found during search and rescue operations. Mr. Larreau then discussed the process by which search and rescue personnel are trained in tracking and other disciplines. Mr. Larreau responded to questions regarding how other states assess fees to pay for search and rescue operations.

04:56 PM -- Mr. Don Bendell, representing himself, testified in favor of House Bill 09-1071. Mr. Bendell discussed certain situations in which individuals went missing and died, and his efforts in conducting search and rescue operations. Mr. Bendell also discussed the hardships faced by those engaged in search and rescue operations, and the costs associated with such operations. Mr. Bendell then discussed the fees assessed to certain recreational groups for the funding of search and rescue operations.

05:04 PM -- Ms. Shauna Naftel, representing Whistle Away Crime, Freedom Realty, and Emerald Properties, testified in favor of the bill. Ms. Naftell discussed the importance of funding the Search and Rescue Fund, and spoke against levying a charge on lost persons who are rescued. Ms. Naftell also stressed the small amounts involved in raising certain fees under House Bill 09-1071. Discussion ensued regarding the equitable assessment of fees among the groups that engage in outdoor activities.

05:11 PM -- Ms. Jocelyn Atadero, representing her brother Jaryd Atadero, testified in favor of House Bill 09-1071. Ms. Atadero discussed her brother, who went missing in the mountains in 1999, and stressed the importance of raising search and rescue fees under the bill.

05:14 PM -- Mr. Allyn Atadero, representing his son Jaryd Atadero, testified in favor of the bill. Mr. Atadero explained how additional resources for search and rescue operations may help to save lives, and addressed the issue of the burden of search and rescue fees falling on sportsmen. Mr. Atadero also discussed future efforts to increase funding for search and rescue operations and improve safety programs. Mr. Atadero provided advice regarding how to increase safety when taking children into the wilderness.

05:25 PM

Representative Gagliardi provided background on the creation of prepared amendment L.003, and explained the effect of the amendment. Representative Gagliardi responded to questions regarding the stewardship of the Search and Rescue Fund, and the potential to amend House Bill 09-1071 to address concerns previously addressed.


BILL:	HB09-1071
TIME:	05:25:41 PM
MOVED:	Court
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.003 (Attachment H), as amended by prepared amendment L.005 (Attachment I). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Labuda
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	Hullinghorst
	Lambert
	Massey
	McCann
	Miklosi
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Labuda
	Todd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

05:30 PM

Representative Gagliardi explained the effect of prepared amendment L.005 (Attachment I). Discussion ensued regarding certain language to be struck by the amendment.


BILL:	HB09-1071
TIME:	05:30:18 PM
MOVED:	Massey
MOTION:	Moved prepared amendment L.005 (Attachment I). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Court
		VOTE
	Casso
	Court
	Hullinghorst
	Lambert
	Massey
	McCann
	Miklosi
	Murray
	Nikkel
	Labuda
	Todd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

05:32 PM

Representative Murray explained her opposition to House Bill 09-1071. Discussion ensued regarding the potential for conducting an analysis to find out the types of activities that most often result in search and rescue operations, and problems associated with the revenue stream that funds search and rescue operations. Discussion followed regarding the connection between levying fees on sportsmen and funding for search and rescue operations.


BILL:	HB09-1071
TIME:	05:32:35 PM
MOVED:	Labuda
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1071, as amended, to the Committee on Finance with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 10-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Court
		VOTE
	Casso	Yes
	Court	Yes
	Hullinghorst	Yes
	Lambert	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McCann	Yes
	Miklosi	Yes
	Murray	No
	Nikkel	Yes
	Labuda	Yes
	Todd	Yes

Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

05:38 PM

The committee adjourned.