S_AGR_2024A 02/15/2024 01:36:12 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Date

02/15/2024

Attendance
Marchman	X
Pelton B.	X
Pelton R.	X
Priola	E
Simpson	X
Danielson	X
Roberts	X

Time

01:36:12 PM to 02:32:08 PM

Place

SCR 352

This Meeting was called to order by

Roberts

This Report was prepared by

Julia Jackson

Hearing Items	Action Taken
hConf 24-Land Commissioners — State Board Of	Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
hConf 24-Ground Water Commission	Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
hSB24-137	Committee Discussion Only

Conf 24-Land Commissioners — State Board Of - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar

01:37:17 PM

Bill Ryan, Director, State Land Board, introduced the State Land Board and the appointees, Josie Heath and Christine Scanlan. The appointees introduced themselves to the committee and discussed their interest in continuing to serve on the board. Ms. Heath and Ms. Scanlan answered questions from the committee.

01:47:19 PM	Motion	Refer the appointment of Josephine Heath, Christine Scanlan to the Conf 24-Land Commissioners — State Board Of to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
	Moved	Danielson
	Seconded

	Marchman	Yes
	Pelton B.	Yes
	Pelton R.	Yes
	Priola	Excused
	Simpson	Yes
	Danielson	Yes
	Roberts	Yes
	Final	YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

Conf 24-Ground Water Commission - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar

01:47:54 PM

Tracy Kosloff, Interim Director, Division of Water Resources, introduced the Ground Water Commission and appointee Todd Denning. Mr. Denning introduced himself to the committee and discussed his interest in serving on the board. He responded to questions from the committee.

01:55:56 PM	Motion	Refer the appointment of Todd Denning to the Conf 24-Ground Water Commission to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
	Moved	Danielson
	Seconded

	Marchman	Yes
	Pelton B.	Yes
	Pelton R.	Yes
	Priola	Excused
	Simpson	Yes
	Danielson	Yes
	Roberts	Yes
	Final	YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

SB24-137 - Committee Discussion Only


	01:56:12 PM	Senator Simpson, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 24-137. The bill amends the Colorado Potato Seed Act to require potato growers to submit any uncertified potato seed stock to the certifying authority, the Department of Agriculture (CDA), for testing prior to planting. The CDA must then approve the uncertified potato seed stock if it meets standards established by the Commissioner of Agriculture. A potato grower may plant any progeny from the uncertified potato seed in subsequent years if the potato seed is annually submitted, tested, and approved for planting. Senator Simpson responded to questions from the committee.
	02:04:24 PM	Riley Clayton, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Jed Ellithorpe, representing Ponderosa Partnership LLC, testified in opposition to the bill and responded to questions from the committee.
	02:09:02 PM	Dr. Andrew Houser, representing Colorado Potato Certification Service, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Mark Peterson, representing Colorado Potato Administrative Committee and Peterson Farms LLC, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Tyler Mitchell, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Wondirad Gebru, representing Colorado Department of Agriculture, Plant Industry Division, answered committee questions. The panelists continued to respond to questions from the committee.
	02:30:39 PM	Senator Simpson discussed the bill and asked that it be laid over for action at a future date.

02:32:08 PM

The committee adjourned.

Conf 24-Land Commissioners — State Board Of - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar

Conf 24-Ground Water Commission - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar

SB24-137 - Committee Discussion Only

Colorado General Assembly