H_AGR_2018A 03/12/2018 01:35:38 PM Committee Summary

Speaker Duran and Majority Leader Becker, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-002, cocnering the financing of broadband development.  Testimony was taken on Monday, March 5, 2018.  Speaker Duran distributed and discussed Amendment L.039 [Attachment A], which makes several changes to the reengrossed bill.

Majority Leader Becker distributed and discussed L.049 [Attachment B], which adds language to require that projects with federal funds subject to the right of first refusal must be completed within 24 months after the date that the applicant filed the application and adds additional language requiring that incumbents that receive federal funds file an affidavit that the build out will be completed within 24 months and demonstrate that the unserved addresses meet the minimum speed requirements.

Majority Leader Becker distributed and discussed Amendment L.047 [Attachment C].  The Majority Leader stated that in order to avoid a settled question with previous amendments, the amendment should be moved with lines 5,6, and 15 severed.

Speaker Duran distrbuted and discussed L.041 [Attachment D], which makes changes to the bill, including clarifying that payments from the high cost support mechanism fund will be distributed quarterly.

Majority Leader Becker distributed and discussed Amendment L.042 [Attachment E], which makes several changes to the bill.

Representative Hansen distributed and moved L.050 [Attachment F]. The bill sponsors responded to questions regarding the amendment and committee discussion ensued.

Representative Buck distributed and discussed Amendment L.037. [Attachment G]. Rep. Buck moved the amendment, and committee discussion ensued. The chair ruled that the amendment was out of order, as it amended sections of the bill previously amended by Amendment L.041 (House Rule 34 (a)).

Committee discussion ensued and the sponsors mande closing comments regarding the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives Arndt and J. Becker, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-033, concerning the continuation of the animal feeding operation premit program under the Colorado Deparment of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The bill extends temporary higher fees for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and house commercial swine feeding operations (HCSFOs) collected by CDPHE from June 30, 2018, to June 30, 2025.  Funds are used for permitting and oversight of these operations.

Sean Scott, CDPHE, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Scott responded to questions from the committee regarding the program.

Brock Herzberg, Colorado Dairy Farmers, testified in support of the bill.

Bill Hammerick, Colorado Livestock Association, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Arndt and Becker made concluding comments regarding the bill. Committee discussion ensued.

Representative Arndt, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-134, concerning the exemption of nonprofit water companies from regulation by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The bill grants simplified regulatory treatment by the PUC in the Department of Regulatory Agencies for nonprofit water companies as long as their rates, charges, and terms and conditions of services with their customers are just and reasonable. The PUC will resolve any complaint alleging a violation of these conditions if signed by a representative of a local jurisdiction, the chief executive officers of an affected public utility, or at least 25 customers or prospective customers of the water company that is the subject of the complaint.

Doug Dean, PUC, discussed the bill and provided testimony in support of the bill.

Gabe Dusenbury, PUC, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Dusenbury and Mr. Dean responded to questions from the committee regarding the amount of nonprofit water companies in the state and other provisions of the bill.

Representative Arndt made concluding comments on the bill.