S_AGR_2018A 03/08/2018 01:31:02 PM Committee Summary

Hollie Jean Velasquez Horvath of Denver, reappointed for a term expiring April 15, 2021, as a Democrat and a resident of the First Congressional District, discussed her experience and interest in serving another term on the board [Attachment B].

Linda Jean Strand of Aurora, reappointed for a term expiring April 15, 2021, as a Democrat and resident of the 6th Congressional District, discussed her experience and interest in serving another term on the board [Attachment B].

Warren Hall Dean of Colorado Springs, appointed for a term expiring April 15, 2021, as a Democrat and resident of the Fifth Congressional District, discussed his experience and interest in serving on the board [Attachment B].

Senator Coram and Senator Guzman, co-prime sponsors, discussed the provisions of SB18-182 concerning the allocation of source market fees. They also distributed Amendment L.001 [Attachment C]. The bill authorizes the director of the Racing Division in the Department of Revenue to allocate a portion of the source market fee deposited into the Horse Breeders' and Owners' Awards and Supplemental 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.

Shannon Rushton, Colorado Horse Racing Association, spoke in support of the bill.

The chair closed testimony and Senator Coram and Senator Guzman closed their remarks on the bill.

Senator Coram, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of SB18-184 concerning permits for short-term extraction of construction materials. Under current law, excavation projects that extract construction materials must obtain a permit issued by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This bill allows an operator of a one-time excavation project that generates small quantities of construction materials that are incidental to the intent of the excavation project to obtain a special use permit from the DNR. An operation that qualifies for a special use permit must be clearly defined, of short duration and scope, affect no more than 30 acres, and not employ material processing activities typically associated with mining operations. All affected lands subject to the new permit must be reclaimed within 12 months following the issuance of the permit. Project operators must convert to the appropriate regular construction materials permit if extraction and export of materials from the site are not completed within 12 months. The bill specifies that the cost for the original permit is $400, and the annual fee for each subsequent year of operation is $200.

Tony Waldren, Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, spoke in support of the bill and identified fees assessed by the division on various types of mining operations. He also responded to questions from the committee about exemptions for permit requirements for persons who extract mine materials for use on their own property and expenses related to the permit review process.

Senator Zenzinger, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of House Bill 18-1139 concerning reporting requirements for fees. House Bill 12-1317, enacted the merger of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and repealed a section of statute effective September 1, 2017. House Bill 18-1139 removes obsolete references to the repealed section and replaces them with references to the Parks and Wildlife Commission's rules.