h_lg_2016a_2016-01-28t09:54:05z2 Hearing Summary

Date: 01/28/2016

10:15 AM -- HB16-1046



The committee recessed





10:16 AM



The committee returned from recess.





10:16 AM



Representative Kraft-Tharp presented and summarized House Bill 16-1046 concerning the response to hazardous substance incidents under designated emergency response authority responsibility. Local governments currently designate, by ordinance or resolution, an emergency response authority for hazardous substance incidents. This bill requires local governments to report those designations to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) annually and narrows the appropriate response to include threats of adverse effects of a hazardous substance on human health or the environment. The bill allows designated emergency response authorities to provide response capability through an agreement with a private entity. These private entities are given the right to claim reimbursement from the parties responsible for an incident if they are not paid by the designated response authority. Under current law, a hazardous substance of any size on residential, personal, or agricultural property does not need to be reported to the designated emergency response authority, the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE), or the local fire department. This bill requires all hazardous substances to be reported to one or more of these authorities upon request, except for hazardous substances in consumer-sized packaging or those that are stored or used by a farmer or rancher at an agricultural facility.



10:18 AM -- Tim Gablehouse, representing Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership, spoke in favor of the bill. He discussed hazardous material incidents and the role of designated emergency response authorities.



Mr. Gablehouse answered questions from the committee members regarding agricultural exemptions and the annual notification of the designated emergency response authorities.





10:32 AM



Mr. Gablehouse continued to answer questions from the committee members regarding the initial emergency response during a hazardous material incident.



10:39 AM -- Greg Fulton, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, was neutral on the bill.



10:44 AM -- Grier Baily, representing the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, spoke in favor of the bill.



10:49 AM -- Stan Dempsy, representing the Colorado Petroleum Association, spoke for information purposes only.



Representative Kraft-Tharp provided closing comments on the bill.

10:54 AM



The committee adjourned.