S_AGR_2018A 01/18/2018 01:32:08 PM Committee Summary

Senator Scott, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 18-003 concerning the funding and mission of the Colorado Energy Office (CEO). It transfers money from the General Fund to two cash funds that support the CEO from FY 2018-19 to FY 2021-22. He also distributed Amendment L.002 [Attachment A].

 

 

Kathleen Staks, Executive Director of the Colorado Energy Office, in support.of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Amelia Myers, Conservation Colorado, explained her organization is nuetral on the bill with Amendment L.003.

The chair closed testimony and Senator Scott closed his remarks on the bill.

Michael Nicoletti, Legislative Liaison for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, spoke in favor of the bill.

Morgan Cullen, Colorado Municipal League, spoke in favor of the bill..

The chair closed testimony and Senator Donovan and Senator Coram closed their remarks.

Senator Donovan and Senator Coram, co-prime sponsors, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 18-038 concerning reclaimed water used on industrial hemp.  They also distributed Amendment L.001 [Attachment D]  and Amendment L.003 [Attachment E].  This bill, recommended by the interim Water Resources Review Committee, codifies rules promulgated by the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) related to the allowable uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater, and expands allowable uses to include irrigation of industrial hemp.  In addition, the bill defines three categories of water quality standards.  The WQCC is required to promulgate new rules related to reclaimed wastewater no later than December 31, 2019.  The WQCC is also authorized to create new categories of water quality standards; recategorize any of the allowable uses to a less stringent category; and authorize additional uses.  Variances may be granted from the standards if the proposed usage will sufficiently protect public health and the environment.

John Gray, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill.

Joan Green Turner, Water Rights Association, spoke in support of Amendment L.001.

Tim Gordon, Colorado Hemp Industry Association, spoke in support of the bill and Amendment L.003.

Senator Baumgardner and Senator Coram, co-prime sponsors, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 18-041 concerning incidential water use by sand and gravel mines.  They also distributed Amendment L001 [Attachment E].  Under current law, operators of sand and gravel open mines that expose groundwater to the atmosphere are required to obtain a well permit, and either: a replacement plan approved by the Colorado Ground Water Commission in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR); a plan for augmentation approved by the water court; or a substitute water supply plan approved by the State Engineer in the DNR for tributary groundwater.  This bill, recommended by the interim Water Resources Review Committee, allows the designated groundwater replacement plan, or the substitute water supply plan and the well permit, to authorize uses of water incidental to open mining for sand and gravel, including the mitigation of impacts from mining and dewatering, among other uses.

Tracy Kosloff, Division of Water Resources, spoke in support of the bill.