CLICS/CLICS2018A/commsumm.nsf
PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For JOINT MEETING WITH THE JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO JOINT RULE 25
JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Date Jan 31, 2018
Location RM 271
Joint meeting with the Joint Budget Committee pursuant to Joint Rule 25 - Committee Discussion Only
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09:45:51 AM |
Representative Rankin, member of the Joint
Budget Committee, introduced other JBC members and JBC staff attending
today's meeting.
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09:46:18 AM |
Representative Rankin discussed the Colorado
Department of Agriculture's FY 2018-19 budget request. For FY 2018-19,
the department is requesting 292 full time equivalent (FTE) employees and
$51.6 million including $11 million General Fund, $34.2 million cash funds,
and $3.9 federal funds [Attachment A]. The departmentâs FY 2017-18
appropriation represents approximately 0.2 percent of statewide operating
appropriations and 0.1 percent of statewide General Fund appropriations.
The Department of Agriculture regulates, promotes and supports various
agricultural activities throughout Colorado. Department personnel
perform a wide range of services including: regulatory and inspection services
relating to agriculture; investigations and hearings; standardizing, grading,
inspecting, labeling, handling, storage, and marketing of agricultural
products; and agriculture-related policy analysis.
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09:47:11 AM |
Representative Rankin discussed the Colorado
Department of Natural Resource's FY 2018-19 budget request. The department
is requesting 1,462 full time equivalent (FTE) employees and $257 million
including $28.9 million General Fund, $193 million cash funds, and $27.1
million federal funds [Attachment B]. The Departmentâs FY 2016-17
appropriation represents 0.9 percent of statewide operating appropriations
and 0.3 percent of statewide General Fund appropriations. DNR is
responsible for developing, protecting, and enhancing Coloradoâs natural
resources for the use and enjoyment of present and future residents and
visitors.
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09:48:02 AM |
Representative Rankin responded to questions
from the committee about legislation to continue funding for the Colorado
Energy Office.
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09:49:28 AM |
Senator Lundberg discussed the Department
of Agriculture FY 2018-19 request for one additional full time equivalent
employee to assist with federal land management issues. Committee
discussion followed about how this position will be funded and federal
land management issues.
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09:57:36 AM |
Representative Rankin explained how severance
tax revenue funds programs and activities of the Colorado Department of
Natural Resources and discussed recent declines in this revenue. He
explained that additional General Fund revenue may need to be transferred
to the department in FY 2018-19 to offset declines in severance tax revenue.
Committee discussion followed about changes to the budget process
that may help address the volatility of severance tax revenue.
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10:15:46 AM |
The committee discussed prior transfers
of severance taxes to the General Fund and potential measures to limit
future transfers. . Since 1996, a net of $157.5 million has
been transferred from DNRâs two main severance tax cash funds to the General
Fund. This includes $130.9 million transferred from the Perpetual
Base Fund and $26.6 transferred from the Operational Fund.
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10:20:36 AM |
Representative Rankin explained that the
state is projected to receive additional tax revenue during FY 2018-19
as a result of recent changes to federal tax law. He also identified
potential appropriations of this revenue for education, transportation,
increasing reserves, and implementing the Colorado Water Plan.
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