BF5D395B4AD7F34D8725827F006B53C0 Hearing Summary

Representatives McLachlan and Catlin, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-042, concerning the creation of the agricultural workforce development program. The bill, recommended by the Young and Beginning Farmers Interim Study Committee, requires the Colorado Department of Agriculture to create by rule an agricultural workforce development program to incentivize agricultural businesses to hire interns by January 1, 2019.  Eligible businesses may be reimbursed up to 50 percent of the costs to employ an intern, including wages, fixed expenses, and other costs.  The program is repealed July 1, 2024.  Representative.McLachlan distributed Amendment L.001 [Attachment A].

Representative Catlin explained the amendment.

Dan Gobel, National Young Farmers Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Catlin and McLachlan made concluding comments on the bill.