S_AGR_2019A 04/18/2019 01:42:37 PM Committee Summary

Kate Greenberg, Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, introduced Brant Harrison, Segundo Diaz, Kathryn Bedell, George Whitten, and Colleen Peppler, appointees to the State Agricultural Commission. The appointees introduced themselves and discussed their qualifications to serve on the commission.

Senators Fenberg and Marble, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-240, which requires a wholesale food manufacturer that produces an industrial hemp product to pay a registration fee of $300, regardless of its gross annual sales. Senator Marble discussed amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments A and B).

Veronica Carpi, representing Grow Hemp Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Alan Lewis, representing Natural Grocers, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Sean Callan, representing Ellipse Analytics, testified on the bill.

Kevin Bommer, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.

Eric Bergman, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Hunter Buffington, representing the Hemp Feed Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Cindy Sovine, representing several industry groups, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Lawrence responded to committee questions.

Senators Fenberg and Marble provided closing comments on the bill.

Senators Ginal and Priola, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1202, which moves the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council from the Department of Agriculture to Colorado State University and modifies its membership, purpose, and duties.

Wendy Moschetti, representing LiveWell Colorado, testified in support of the bill and distributed a letter to the committee (Attachment C).

Nick Levendofsky, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill.

Senators Priola and Ginal provided closing comments on the bill.

Senator Donovan, co-prime sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1037, which allows a utility to apply to the Public Utilities Commission for a financing order authorizing it to issue securitized utility ratepayer-backed bonds when closing an electric generating facility.

Stephen Pomerance, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a copy of his testimony (Attachment D).

Dianna Orf, representing the Colorado Mining Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Richard Orf, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Pomerance, Ms. Orf, and Mr. Orf responded to committee questions.

Bill Levis, representing AARP, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment E).

Britton Naas, representing the Coalition of Ratepayers, testified in opposition to the bill.

Emily Gedeow, representing the Sierra Club, testified in support of the bill.

Elizabeth Smith, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sam Gilchrist, representing the Natural Resources Defense Council, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Tormoeu Hicky responded to committee questions.

Michelle King, representing Colorado Energy Consumers, testified in support of the bill.

Matt Larson, representing Xcel Energy, testified on the bill.

Jason Hopfer, representing Pueblo County, testified on the bill and responded to committee questions.

Senators Coram and Donovan responded to committee questions.

James Foy, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Doug Vilsack, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill.

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

Mr. Vilsack responded to committee questions.