Date: 02/03/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1129

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment A ). The motion
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1129, as amended, to 		Pass Without Objection
PASS



10:39 AM -- House Bill 09-1129

Representative Looper presented the bill concerning an authorization of pilot projects for the beneficial use of captured precipitation in new real estate developments. Representative Looper explained that the bill establishes a pilot program for the collection of precipitation from rooftops for non-potable uses. The program can include up to 10 new residential or mixed-use developments. Amendment L.002 (Attachment A) was distributed to the committee. Representative Looper explained how the amendment would modify the bill and answered questions from the committee. Questions concerned the size and variety of project.

The following individuals testified:


10:52 AM -- Veva Deheza, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and Kevin Rein, Assistant State Engineer with the Division of Water Resources. Mr. Rein described how the pilot project selection process would be implemented. Questions from the committee questioned whether participation in the pilot program would be affected by the augmentation requirements. Ms. Deheza commented on the role of the CWCB in the application process. She explained that CWCB would be working closely with the SEO. Expressed hope that the program's conservation potential would be determined in this time frame. Mr. Rein and Ms. Deheza answered questions from the committee concerning how the State Engineer's Office would ensure that there would be no harm to downstream water users. Mr. Rein explained that the Substitute Water Supply Plans would be required to describe this impact to downstream water users in detail.

11:04 AM -- Chris Threese, Colorado River District, testified in support of the bill. He discussed how the bill would protect senior water users. He discussed the public policy question around using rainwater. Mr. Threese also explained that the program would provide a way for the state to obtain information about how rainwater harvesting programs may work at a larger scale.

11:05 AM -- Carolyn Burr, Ryley Carlock and Applewhite, explained her involvement in a study team that considered water management in Douglas County. The study team ended up recommending that a pilot project would be a logical step to evaluate rainwater harvesting for the state. She also explained that she worked with Representative Looper to draft the bill and the amendments. She asked if the committee had any questions about the bill that she could answer.

11:07 AM -- Chris Piper, Denver Water, testified in support of the bill. He described how the pilot projects authorized in the bill will allow the study and identification of additional ways to conserve water. He also indicated support for Amendment L.002

11:08 AM
Representative Curry indicated that other organizations signed up to testify on the bill but that in the interest of time Representative Looper asked that testimony be limited to those who have already spoke about the bill. The Colorado Water Partnership and the League of Women Voters planned to testify in favor of the bill.

11:09 AM -- Cheryl Signs, water engineer, explained why the Water Courts did not need to weigh in on this issue yet.


BILL:HB09-1129
TIME: 11:10:10 AM
MOVED:Looper
MOTION:Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment A ). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Solano
VOTE
Gardner C.
Hullinghorst
Labuda
Looper
McKinley
McNulty
Pace
Solano
Sonnenberg
Tipton
Vigil
Fischer
Curry
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB09-1129
TIME: 11:12:40 AM
MOVED:Looper
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 09-1129, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed 13-0.
SECONDED:McNulty
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