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S_AGR_2022A 04/21/2022 02:01:42 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Date 04/21/2022
Attendance
Coram X
Fields *
Hinrichsen X
Simpson X
Sonnenberg X
Jaquez Lewis X
Donovan X
Time 02:01:42 PM to 04:55:03 PM
Place Old Supreme Court
This Meeting was called to order by Sonnenberg
This Report was prepared by Julia Jackson
Hearing Items Action Taken
Conf 22-State Fair Authority Board Of Commissioners Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
Conf 22-Ground Water Commission Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
Conf 22-Water Quality Control Commission Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
Conf 22-Water Conservation Board — Colorado Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
HB22-1313 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB22-029 Lay Over
SB22-195 Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations
SB22-209 Referred to Senate Appropriations

02:02:49 PM
Former Representative
Wes McKinley, representing himself, spoke to the committee about the Ground
Water Commission.  He responded to committee member questions.



Conf 22-State Fair Authority Board Of Commissioners - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar


02:10:58 PM  
Scott Stoller, General Manager, Colorado State Fair, introduced appointees to the State Fair Authority Board of Commissioners. Jeffrey Mandarich, Rene Brown, and Alexandra Hanifin introduced themselves to the committee and discussed their interest in serving on the board.
02:17:34 PM  
Mr. Stoller responded to committee questions about changes to the board's composition.


02:21:43 PM
Motion Refer the appointments of Michelle Brown, Michael Cafasso, Alexandra Hanifin, and Jeffrey Mandarich to the State Fair Authority Board Of Commissioners to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that they be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Jaquez Lewis
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Conf 22-Ground Water Commission - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar


02:22:01 PM  
Kevin Rein, State Engineer, provided an overview of the Ground Water Commission and introduced the appointees to the commission. Marc Arnusch, Scott Tietmeyer, and David Keeler introduced themselves to the committee and discussed their interest in serving on the board.
02:29:02 PM  
The appointees and
Mr. Rein responded to questions from the committee.


02:35:11 PM
Motion Refer the appointments of Marc Arnusch, Scott Tietmeyer, and David Keeler to the Ground Water Commission to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that they be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Jaquez Lewis
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Conf 22-Water Quality Control Commission - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar


02:35:53 PM  

Jojo La, Policy Advisor to the Environmental Boards and Commissions, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, introduced the Water Quality Control Commission and the appointees to the board. Sonja Chavez, Jeni Arndt, and Julie Zahringer introduced themselves to the committee and discussed their interest in serving on the board.

02:43:25 PM  
The appointees responded
to questions from the committee.


02:55:40 PM
Motion Refer the appointments of April Long, Sonja Chavez, Jeni Arndt, and Julie Zahringer to the Water Quality Control Commission to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that they be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Jaquez Lewis
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Conf 22-Water Conservation Board — Colorado - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar


02:55:58 PM  
Lauren Ris, Deputy Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board, introduced the agency and the appointees to the board. Paul Bruchez and Jessica Brody introduced themselves to the committee and discussed their interest in serving on the board.
03:05:40 PM  
The appointees responded to questions from the committee.


03:06:29 PM
Motion Refer the appointments of Jessica Brody, Jaclyn Brown, and Brian "Paul" Bruchez to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that they be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Jaquez Lewis
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB22-1313 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole


03:06:49 PM  
Majority Leader Moreno, sponsor, presented House Bill 22-1313 to the committee. Under current law, an agricultural employer is required to meet specific housing requirements for agricultural workers during a public health emergency. This bill clarifies that these requirements apply only during a statewide public health emergency related to COVID-19. The bill also includes alternative protections related to housing as identified by the Department of Public Health and Environment. Majority Leader Moreno responded to questions from the committee.
03:09:53 PM  
Mr. Jordan Beezley, representing the Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Austin Vincent, representing Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill.

03:15:03 PM  
Mr. Beezley and Mr. Vincent responded to questions from the committee.
03:22:13 PM  
Majority Leader Moreno wrapped up his presentation of the bill.


03:23:48 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 22-1313 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Jaquez Lewis
Seconded
Coram No
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB22-029 - Lay Over


03:24:36 PM  
Senator Donovan, co-prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 22-029 to the committee. The introduced bill defines and prohibits investment water speculation; authorizes the State Engineer in the Department of Natural Resources to investigate purchases of agricultural water rights that are suspected of investment water speculation; and authorizes the Attorney General to investigate frivolous complaints of water speculation. Senator Donovan also presented a strike-below amendment, L.001 (Attachment A). Senator Coram, co-prime sponsor, further discussed the bill and amendment L.001.
03:34:01 PM  
Travis Smith, representing
Colorado Water Congress, testified in opposition to the bill.
03:45:28 PM  

Kathleen Curry, representing Grand Valley Water Users Association, Ute Water Conservancy District, and Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, testified in opposition to the bill.

03:48:44 PM  
Mr. Joe Bernal, representing Grand Valley Water User’s Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Joe Frank, representing Lower South Platte Water Conservancy District, testified in opposition to the bill.

03:58:11 PM  
Mr. Carlyle Currier, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified on the bill.
04:02:08 PM  
The committee discussed amendment L.001.


04:04:18 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg No
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan No
YES: 5   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
04:04:44 PM  

Senators Coram and Donovan wrapped up their presentation of the bill.

Senator Sonnenberg laid the bill over.



SB22-195 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations


04:15:31 PM  
Senator Donovan,
co-prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 22-195 to the committee.  This
bill continues the continuously appropriated Conservation  District
Grant Fund in the Department of Agriculture that is set to repeal December
31, 2022.  Senator Donovan discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment B).
04:17:17 PM  
Cindy Lair, representing the Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified in support of the bill.

Brett Moore, representing the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts, testified in support of the bill.

04:22:20 PM  
Senator Donovan explained amendment L.001.


04:22:52 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Coram
Fields
Hinrichsen
Simpson
Sonnenberg
Jaquez Lewis
Donovan
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:22:55 PM  
Senator Donovan wrapped up her presentation of the bill.


04:23:42 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 22-195, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB22-209 - Referred to Senate Appropriations


04:24:10 PM  
Senator Donovan, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 22-209 to the committee. This bill requires the Commissioner of Agriculture to hire an employee or engage a contractor to help small meat processors and people trying to start a small meat processing business apply for grants and loans offered by the United States Department of Agriculture and other entities.
04:32:09 PM  
Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Donovan.
04:32:23 PM  
Mr. Jordan Beezley, representing Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.
04:47:31 PM  
Senator Donovan wrapped up her presentation of the bill.


04:50:41 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 22-209 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



04:53:58 PM
The committee honored its term-limited members.


04:55:03 PM   The committee adjourned.






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