9D69F73D183E0897872583150075B3CA Hearing Summary

The committee considered 7 measures to recommend to the Legislative Council.  Pursuant to Section 37-98-103, C.R.S., no bill may be reported to the Legislative Council unless a two-thirds majority of the appointed members of the committee (at least 7 members) vote to report such bill to the Legislative Council. Also, the committee may report no more than three bills or other measures to the Legislative Council, unless a two-thirds majority of the members of the committee vote to report a greater number. Such greater number may not exceed one bill or other measure per member.  The bills can be accessed online here: http://leg.colorado.gov/node/1221201/.

Representative Arndt stated that she is withdrawing Bill 10, concerning the Healhty Soil Task Force.  Representative Roberts stated that he is withdrawing Bill 6, concerning the protection of water quality from adverse impacts caused by mineral mining.  Bill 8 was withdrawn by the sponsor prior to the meeting.

Discussion ensued regarding Draft Bill 1, concerning the Republican River Water Conservation District.  The bill can be found here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bill_a_19-0132.pdf.

David Robbins, Republican River Water Conservation District, testified in support of Draft Bill 1 and distributed several letters in support of the bill [Attachment E].

Committee discussion ensued regarding Draft Bill 1, and Mr. Robbins responded to questions regarding the bill.

John Buchanan, East Cheyenne Groundwater Management District, testified in opposition to Draft Bill 1. Mr. Buchanan responded to questions from the committee.

Committee discussion ensued regarding Draft Bill 2, concerning the methodology to distribute money in the Severance Tax Operational Fund after core departmental programs are funded without changing the transfers to the Natural Resources and Energy Grant Programs.  The bill can be found here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bill_b_19-0138.pdf.

Committee discussion ensued regarding Draft Bill 3, concerning a memorial to the United States Congress to fulfill the commitment of the federal government to provide funding for the Arkansas Valley Conduit Project.  The memorial can be found here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/memorial_a_m19-0145.pdf

Committee discussion ensued regarding Draft Bill 4, concerning a requirement that the disposal in Colorado of radioactive waste originating from another state occur only if the other state allows that disposal.  The bill can be found online here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bill_4_19-0136_0.pdf.

Senator Crowder distributed Amendment 1 to Draft Bill 4 [Attachment F].

Thomas Morris, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions from the committee regarding the possibility of a conflict with interstate commerce laws. Committee discussion ensued.

Committee discussion ensued on Draft Bill 5, concerning a memorial to the United States Congress to enact legislation directing the United States Army Corps of Engineers to dredge a portion of the Arkansas River.  The memorial can be found online here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/memorial_b_m19-0144.pdf.

Committee discussion ensued regarding Draft Bill 7, concerning the authorization of deficit irrigation pilot projects approved by the Colorado Water Conservation Board.  The bill can be found online here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bill_7_19-0139.pdf.

Committee discussion ensued regarding Draft Bill 9, concerning the state's sovereign immunity in an action for injuries resulting from a prescribed fire operated by the state.  The bill can be found online here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/bill_9_19-0137.pdf.

Carolyn Aspelin, Colorado State Forest Service, responded to questions, and committee discussion ensued.