H_AGR_2018A 03/19/2018 01:31:24 PM Committee Summary

Representatives Catlin and Arndt, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-182, concerning the authority to allocate a potion of the source market fee to statutorily authorized purse funds.  The bill authorizes the director of the Racing Division in the Department of Revenue (DOR) to allocate a portion of the source market fee deposited into the Horse Breeders' and Owners' Awards and Supplemental Purse Fund (Purse Fund) if he or she determines that such an allocation is necessary to maintain a sufficient and competitive purse structure.  This fund is to be paid as authorized by the director of the Racing Division as purses for races held at live race meets in Colorado or as otherwise directed by the Colorado Racing Commission.

Bruce Seymore, Mile High Racing, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Tom Downey, Mile High Racing, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Dan Hartman, Colorado Division of Racing, responded to questions from the committee regarding off-track betting in other states.

Representatives Arndt and Catlin made concluding on the bill. Committee discussion ensued.

Bruce Whitehead, Southwestern Water Conservation District, testified in support of the bill.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives McKean and Hansen, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-170, concerning a water court process by which an owner of a storage water right allowing water to be stored in a new reservoir capacity may release water into an identified stream reach in a manner that protects the water releases while complying with mitigation measures identified in a fish wildlife mitigation plan approved by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB).

Dianna Orf, Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill.

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

Emily Ibach, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.

Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District, testified in support of the bill. He also stated that the Southeastern Water Conservancy District supports the bill.

Bruce Whitehead, Southwestern Colorado Water Conservation District, testified in support of the bill.

Jen Boulton, Audoban Rockies and Colorado Trout Unlimited.

Representatives McKean and Hansen made concluding comments on the bill.