S_AGR_2016A 02/04/2016 01:30:03 PM Committee Summary

01:32 PM -- SB 16-055



Senator Grantham, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 16-055 concerning rural electric cooperative elections. Current law allows cooperative electric associations (CEAs) to exempt themselves from regulation by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies and operate solely under the control of their elected board of directors. CEAs can contract with an independent third party to collect and count the ballots for board elections. Mailed ballots must include a secrecy sleeve or inner envelope and must be mailed directly to the CEA.



The following persons testified on the bill:



01:35 PM -- Troy Whitmore, United Power, Inc., spoke in support of the bill and discussed the challenge of conducting board of director elections under current law.



01:39 PM -- Josh Liss, Intermountain Rural Electric Association, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the challenge of conducting board of director elections under current law.





01:43 PM



The chair closed testimony and Senator Grantham closed his remarks on the bill.

01:46 PM -- Colorado Future Farmers of America



Nick Vollmer, State Sentinel, Colorado Future Farmers of America (FFA) State Officers Team, invited the committee to attend the FFA Hall of Fame of Colorado Agriculture banquet on February 18 following the Governor's Forum on Colorado Agriculture where the Colorado FFA Foundation will induct into the Farm Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame: Mr. Thomas Bradbury of Byers, Mr. Steve Gable, of Eaton, Mr. Harold Griffith of Fort Morgan, and Mr. Milan Rewerts, of Fort Collins.



01:48 PM -- SB 16-068



Senator Donovan, prime sponsor, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 16-068 concerning hunter safety colors and identified the benefits of fluorescent pink. She also explained that Wisconsin recently adopted a similar law. Under current law, hunters are required to wear daylight fluorescent orange garments when hunting or taking elk, deer, pronghorn, moose, or black bear with any firearm. This bill adds the option for hunters to wear fluorescent pink.



The following persons testified on the bill:



01:56 PM -- David Hughes, Mule Deer Foundation, spoke in support the bill.



01:58 PM -- Pat Dorsey, Division of Parks and Wildlife, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the economic benefits of hunting.















02:01 PM



The chair closed testimony and Senator Donovan, closed her remarks on the bill.

02:03 PM



The committee adjourned.