S_AGR_2016A 03/31/2016 01:33:17 PM Committee Summary

01:33 PM -- Confirmation of State Fair Authority Board Of Commissioners



Don Brown, Agriculture Commissioner, Department of Agriculture, introduced the Governor's appointment to the State Fair Authority Board of Directors and discussed the role of the board.



01:35 PM -- Rosemarie E. DelMonte of Aurora, appointed as a Democrat from the Sixth Congressional District, for a term expiring November 1, 2018, discussed her experience and interest in serving on the board (Attachment A).



01:36 PM -- Rebecca Ann Brooks of Denver, appointed for a term expiring November 1, 2019 and as a Democrat from the First Congressional District, and a member with substantial experience in agriculture or in the activities of 4-H clubs, discussed her experience and interest in serving on the board (Attachment A).





01:37 PM -- Ronny Raymond Farmer of Lamar, appointed for a term expiring November 1, 2019 as a Republican from the Fourth Congressional District, and a member who is a certified public accountant, discussed his experience and interest in serving on the board (Attachment A).



160331 AttachA.pdf

01:45 PM -- Confirmation of State Board of Stock Inspection Commissioners



Don Brown, Agriculture Commissioner, Department of Agriculture, introduced the Governor's appointment to the State Board of Stock Inspection Commissioners.



01:47 PM -- Kory Allen Kessinger, of Akron, appointed for a term expiring May 1, 2019 and to serve as a representative of the confinement cattle industry, discussed his experience and interest in serving on the State Board of Stock Inspection Commissioners (Attachment B).



160331 AttachB.pdf



01:47 PM -- David H. Mendenhall of Rocky Ford, appointed for a term expiring May 1, 2019, and to serve as a representative of the nonconfinement cattle industry, discussed his experience and interest in serving on the State Board of Stock Inspection Commissioners (Attachment B).

01:49 PM -- Confirmation of State Agricultural Commission



Don Brown, Agriculture Commissioner, Department of Agriculture, introduced the Governor's appointment to the State Agriculture Commission and discussed the role of the commission.



01:51 PM -- Alvin Kunugi of Blanca, reappointed for a term expiring March 1, 2019, to serve as a Democrat and at-large member, discussed his experience and interest in serving another term on the commission (Attachment C).



01:51 PM -- Segundo S. Diaz of Alamosa, reappointed for a term expiring March 1, 2019, to serve as an Unaffiliated from the Third Agricultural District, discussed his experience and interest in serving another term on the commission (Attachment C).



160331 AttachC.pdf



01:54 PM -- Brant A. Harrison of Palisade, appointed for a term expiring March 1, 2019, to serve as a Republican from the Fourth Agricultural District, discussed his experience and interest in serving on the commission (Attachment C).



01:57 PM -- Susan Kay Petrocco of Brighton, appointed for a term expiring March 1, 2019, to serve as a Democrat from the First Agricultural District, discussed her experience and interest in serving on the commission (Attachment C).





01:58 PM -- Senator Baumgardner spoke on the behalf of Joanne "Jo" Marilynn Stanko, who was unable to attend the hearing. Ms. Stanko of Steamboat Springs, was reappointed for a term expiring March 1, 2019, to serve as a Democrat and at-large member (Attachment C).

02:00 PM -- SB 16-174



Senator Sonnenberg, prime-sponsor, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 16-174 concerning the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) Construction Fund. He also distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment D) and Amendment L.002 (Attachment E). This bill appropriates $11,300,000 in FY 2016-17 from the CWCB Construction Fund and the Perpetual Base Fund for specific water-related projects. This bill also authorizes seven cash fund transfers; extends the Windy Gap Reservoir bypass channel project until July 1, 2020; and allows the CWCB to participate in water distribution system projects. The bill also gives the CWCB a variety of powers to fully utilize the state's water allocation in the Animas-La Plata project in southwest Colorado and directs the State Treasurer to credit money received pursuant to the exercise of those powers to the CWCB construction fund. It also continuously appropriates these moneys to the board for this purpose.



160331 AttachD.pdf160331 AttachE.pdf



The following person testified on the bill:



02:08 PM -- Tom Browning, CWCB, spoke in support of the bill and discussed water projects to be funded by the bill.





02:11 PM



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

02:12 PM -- HB 16-1228



Senator Sonnenberg and Senator Donovan, co-prime sponsors, discussed the provision of House Bill 16-1228 concerning agriculture protection water right transfer mechanisms. The reengrossed bill allows the owner of an absolute decreed irrigation water right used for agricultural purposes to apply in water court to change the use of the water right to an agricultural water protection water right which is created by this bill. An agricultural water protection water right allows for the lease, loan, or trade of up to 50 percent of the water subject to the water right without designating the beneficial use to which the water will be applied. The bill requires the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop minimum criteria and guidelines for the establishment of an Agricultural Water Protection Program. The State Engineer in the DNR is required to develop rules governing the review of a substitute water supply plan for agricultural water protection water rights and for making the information about the plans accessible to the public. The bill also subjects agricultural water protection water right to specified conditions



The following persons testified on the bill:



02:12 PM -- Donna Brosemer, City of Greeley, spoke in opposition to the bill.



02:16 PM -- Dick Brown, Colorado Water Congress, Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority, spoke in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee about the bill.



02:23 PM -- Julie McKenna, Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, spoke in support of the bill.



02:25 PM -- Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District, Southwestern Water Conservation District, spoke in opposition to the bill. He also proposed a conceptual amendment to exempt the West Slope from the bill and to create a pilot program for agriculture protection water right transfer mechanisms.





02:33 PM -- Terry Fankhauser, Colorado Cattleman's Association, spoke about the bill and identified concerns he has about it. He explained that his organization is neutral on the bill but supports alternative transfer mechanisms.



02:37 PM -- Greg Kernohan, Ducks Unlimited, spoke in support of the bill.



02:44 PM -- Becky Brooks, Colorado Corn Growers Association, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a letter for support for the bill from Mark Sponsler, President of the Colorado Corn Growers Association (Attachment F).



160331 AttachF.pdf



02:46 PM -- Tom Browning, Colorado Water Conservation Board, discussed the potential benefit of the bill on buy and dry. He also explained that CWCB is neutral on the bill.



02:48 PM -- Kevin Rein, Deputy State Engineer, Division of Water Resources, responded to questions from the committee about the bill.



03:00 PM



The chair closed testimony and Senator Sonnenberg and Senator Donovan closed their remarks on the bill.



03:02 PM



The committee adjourned.