Date: 01/20/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HJR09-1002

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer House Joint Resolution 09-1002 to tPASS

10:44 AM -- The committee was called to order by Representative Curry, Chair.

10:45 AM -- House Joint Resolution 09-1002

Representative Fischer, resolution sponsor, introduced House Joint Resolution 09-1002 concerning the project eligibility lists for the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. He explained that statute requires the legislature to act on this resolution, and the Governor to sign the resolution, by April. Representative Fischer noted that the Drinking Water Revolving Fund and the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund are jointly operated by the Water Resources and Power Development Authority, the Water Quality Control Division, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Division of Local Government. He explained that the joint resolution adds projects and modifies project descriptions from previously approved project lists and deletes projects that have already been completed. According to Representative Fischer, the drinking water portion of the resolution adds 27 projects, modifies 40 projects, and deletes 13 projects from the eligibility list. He said that upon passage of this resolution, the drinking water project eligibility list will contain 305 projects with an identified funding need of over $1.3 billion. The water pollution control portion of the resolution adds 22 projects, modifies 23 projects, and deletes 14 projects from the eligibility list. Representative Fischer said that 316 projects have been identified with funding need of $2.19 billion.

Representative Fischer also noted that he was at the State Affairs Committee meeting of the Colorado Water Congress this morning and that there was concern among some of the water providers and wastewater utilities that entities may not be eligible for federal economic stimulus money if they do not have a project on the list. Representative Fischer further noted that a motion was made at the Colorado Water Congress meeting to delay this hearing, which passed unanimously. However, given the time constraints, Representative Fischer said he decided to go ahead with the hearing as planned and that time remained in the process for people to voice their concerns and suggest changes to the list. Representative Fischer answered questions from the committee including whether the Governor's funding cuts would affect projects in this resolution and how quickly projects would be ready for implementation.

The following individuals testified on HJR 09-1002:

10:52 AM -- Dan Law, Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority, testified in favor of the bill. He explained that after the resolution is passed and has been signed by the Governor, entities on the list can apply for loans. He indicated that as the bill is currently drafted, there will be $35 million available for drinking water projects and $48 million available for wastewater projects. He said that the Water Quality Control Division has been working to determine entities on the eligibility list that appear to have projects ready to be funded. Based on this effort, it appears that there are 50 entities with drinking water projects that are ready for funding, and 46 entities with wastewater projects that are ready for funding. Mr. Law clarified that projects on this list are for drinking water and wastewater treatment activities. He further explained that drinking water projects include work on drinking water treatment plants, pipelines, and pump stations, as well as other activities; and that wastewater projects include wastewater treatment plants, interceptors, sewers, and some nonpoint source activities.
BILL:HJR09-1002
TIME: 10:59:12 AM
MOVED:Fischer
MOTION:Moved to refer House Joint Resolution 09-1002 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 13-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Solano
VOTE
Gardner C.
Yes
Hullinghorst
Yes
Labuda
Yes
Looper
Yes
McKinley
Yes
McNulty
Yes
Pace
Yes
Solano
Yes
Sonnenberg
Yes
Tipton
Yes
Vigil
Yes
Fischer
Yes
Curry
Yes
Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS