H_AGR_2018A 01/22/2018 01:28:42 PM Committee Summary

Representative Arndt introduced herself and provided a brief summary of the committee and its activities, as well as expectations of committee members and those who wish to testify before the committee.

Dr. Mark Deutchman, University of Colorado School of Medicine, introduced himself to the committee and provided the committee background of the Rural Track Program within the school. The Rural Track Program was founded to provide incentive for physicians to locate to rural areas of Colorado. Dr. Deutchman explained the challenges in rural Colorado in accessing medical care.  Dr. Deutchman's presentation was distributed to committee members after the meeting [Attachment A]. 

Dr. Roberto Silva introduced himself to the committee and discussed how the CU School of Medicine is working to alleviate challenges faced in rural Colorado in receiving medical treatment. He also discussed Rural Track and explained that the main goal of the program is to increase physicians in rural areas.

Melanie DeHerrerra introduced herself to the committee and discussed the Rural Track curriculum.  She stated how many CU students are currently enrolled in the program. She discussed where students are practicing throughout the state and explained that most of the students are placed in Eastern Colorado.

Dr. Deutchman discussed the funding of the Rural Track Program and discussed the passage of the rural preceptor tax credit. He also discussed the annual report, which was distributed to committee members [Attachment B].

Several medical students responded to questions from the committee regarding the financial incentives provided by the Rural Track Program.

Dr. Deutchman responded to questions from the committee regarding special courses and training rural physicians can receive.

Dr. Deutchman also answered questions regarding how the Rural Track Program compares to neighboring states. He also discussed the program's rate of attrition.

Dr. Deutchman explained why the program is presenting to the committee in response to questions from the committee. He stated that he and other founders of the program are seeking to making the program a permanent institution in the CU School of Medicine.

Dr. Deutchman stated that the Rural Track program uses the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment definition of "rural" to define "rural" for the purposes of the program. He also responded to questions from the committee regarding other medical fields participating in the program.

Medical students responded to questions about why they originally enrolled in the Rural Track program and where they seek to reside. Dr. Deutchman stated that students are not required to live in a certain place for a determined period of time, but scholarships do come with contingincies regarding the commitment of residing and practicing in rural areas.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives Arndt and Esgar, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1008, concerning financing Colorado Parks and Wildlife's (CPW) Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) program. The bill, recommended by the Water Resources Review Committee, creates new financing mechanisms for the ANS program in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It increases cash fund revenue to the program beginning January 1, 2019, and thereafter from fees on boats.  Representative Arndt distributed a fact sheet regarding the bill to the committee [Attachment C]

Representative Arndt responded to questions from the committee regarding the creation of fee in the bill rather than transferring funds from the General Fund to fund the ANS program. Representative Esgar responded to questions from the committee regarding the cost of the program.

Representatives Arndt and Esgar responded to questions regarding the fee schedule and the cost of prevention of the spread of ANS.

Elizabeth Brown, CPW Invasive Species Coordinator, introduced herself to the committee and testified in support of the bill. She discussed the damage that can be done by ANS and stated that the only way that ANS can infect Colorado waters is through watercrafts. Ms. Brown explained that the ANS program is considered a Tier 2 program, for the purposes of funding, and has historically been funded with moneys from the Severance Tax Operational Fund.  Ms. Brown responded to questions from the committee regarding the cost of treating ANS. Ms. Brown distributed a fact sheet regarding ANS boat interceptions [Attachment D] and the cost of ANS invasion [Attachment E]. Ms. Brown responded to questions from the committee regarding the development of zebra and quagga mussels and the importance of quick detection of ANS larvae.

Kathy Kitzmann, City of Aurora, testified in support of the bill and discussed the water supply system for the City of Aurora. Ms. Kitzmann responded to questions from the committee.

Morgan Cullen, Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.

Kellen Friedlander, Colorado Marine Dealers Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Friedlander responded to questions from the committee regarding the fee schedule set forth in the bill and the amount of boat registrations in the state.

Brandon Ransom, Recreation Manager, Denver Water, testified in support of the bill.

Gini Pingenot, Colorado Counties Inc., testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Ms. Brown returned to the witness table to respond to questions from the committee regarding boat stamp and registration fees in other states. She also responded to questions regarding the training of boat inspectors and the qualifications of boat inspectors. She also discussed provisions in the bill encouraging federal agencies to fund programs like the ANS program.

Brad Wind, Assistant General Manager for Northern Water, representing Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.

Erick Howell, Colorado Springs Utilities, testified in support of the bill.

Paul Fanning, Pueblo Water, testified in support of the bill. He also stated that Colorado River District supports the bill. Mr. Fanning also responded to questions from the committee.

Ken Curtis, Delores Water Conservancy, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Curtis responded to questions from the committee.

Dianna Orf, Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Doug Vilsack, Legislative Liason DNR, testified in support of the bill and addressed questions from the committee that were asked previously. Mr. Vilsack responded to questions from the commitee regarding the classification of penalties of violating the law as set forth in the bill.

Representative Esgar distributed and explained Amendment L.001 [Attachment F].

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives Arndt and Hansen presented House Bill 18-1053, concerning the allowable uses of reclaimed domestic wastewater, and allowing reclaimed water to be used for marijuana cultivation. The bill, recommended by the 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 marijuana cultivation. Additionally, the bill defines three categories of water quality standards. Under current law, reclaimed domestic wastewater is wastewater that has received treatment for subsequent reuses other than drinking. The Colorado Water Quality Control Act authorized the WQCC to promulgate control regulations to describe requirements, prohibitions, standards, and concentration limitations on the reuse of reclaimed domestic wastewater that will protect public health and encourage reuse.

Jon Gray, representing himself, testified against the bill.

Ashley Weber, Colorado Normal, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Michael Nicoletti, CDPHE, testified in a neutral position on the bill. He discussed several provisions of the bill that CDPHE is concerned with.

Brandi Honeycutt, CDPHE, testified in a neutral position on the bill and expressed similar concerns regarding the bill and the limitation of the rule-making ability as outlined in the bill.

Ms. Honeycutt responded to questions from the committee regarding the safety of using reclaimed wastewater for marijuana cultivation. Representative Arndt responded to questions from the committee regarding whether marijuana would be considered an edible crop for purposes of the bill. Mr. Nicoletti also responded to questions regarding provisions in the bill.

Kara Miller, Marijuana Industry Group, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Abby Antolovich, Denver Water, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Antolovich responded to questions from the committee regarding the salinity in reclaimed wastewater and its possible effects on marijuana cultivation. Ms. Antolovich responded to questions from the committee regarding more broad uses for reclaimed water in other states.

Chris Piper, Denver Water, representing Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Arndt laid over the bill until Monday January 29, 2018, for action only.