H_FIN_2024A 04/29/2024 04:17:41 PM Committee Summary

Representatives Lukens and Lynch, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-126. The bill extends the Conservation Easement Oversight Commission and the program for certifying conservation easement holders indefinitely and increases the maximum amount of conservation easement tax credits that may be certified beginning in tax year 2025. The bill sponsors distributed and explained amendment L.022 (Attachment A).

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee,

Rebecca Kourlis, representing The Colorado Forum, testified in support of the bill. Erik Glenn, representing Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust, testified in support of the bill. Susanne Roller, representing the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, was available to answer committee questions. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

The bill sponsors made closing remarks.

Representative McLachlan, co-prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 24-204. The bill makes technical modifications to the procurement code.

Representative Bradley made closing remarks.

Representatives McCormick and Soper, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-152. The bill creates a refundable state income tax credit for food and beverage retailers buying from local producers practicing regenerative agriculture in tax years 2026 through 2030.

Tyler Garrett, representing the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jordan Beezley, representing the Colorado Department of Agriculture, was available to answer committee questions.

Amendment L.005 (Attachment B) was distributed and explained.

Representatives Joseph and Soper, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-186. The bill expands the definition of "state trooper" for state retirement purposes to include coroners and deputy coroners.

Mr. Jeff Martin, representing the Boulder County Coroners Office, testified in support of the bill. Katie Becker, representing the Boulder County Coroner's Office, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Joseph made closing remarks.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee returned to order. Representative Froelich, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 24-150. The bill modifies laws around processing solid waste. Amendments L.020 (Attachment C), L.022 (Attachment D), and L.025 (Attachment E) were distributed and explained.

Mr. Christopher Howes, representing the National Waste & Recycling Association , testified in opposition to the bill. Laurie Johnson, representing Circular Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. Laura Davis, representing Circular Colorado , testified in opposition to the bill. David Snapp, representing Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified to amend the bill.  Additional written testimony is included as Attachment F.

Meghan Dollar, representing the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified to amend the bill. Rachel Beck, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified to amend the bill. Michelle Hadwiger, representing the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Adam Peer, representing the American Chemistry Council, testified to amend the bill. Carly West, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified to amend the bill. Dana Mitchell, representing the American Chemistry Council, testified to amend the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

The committee continued to discuss the bill with the witnesses.

Mr. Randy Moorman, representing EcoCycle, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Brian Loma, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Scott Simmons, representing the Climate Reality Project - Northern Colorado Chapter, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Jan Douglas, representing Colorado Sierra Club, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Closing remarks.