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S_AGR_2024A 03/21/2024 02:10:21 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Date 03/21/2024
Attendance
Marchman X
Pelton B. *
Pelton R. X
Priola X
Simpson *
Danielson X
Roberts X
Time 02:10:21 PM to 04:08:43 PM
Place SCR 352
This Meeting was called to order by Roberts
This Report was prepared by Julia Jackson
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB24-1257 Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
SB24-171 Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations

HB24-1257 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar


02:12:06 PM  
Senator Will, sponsor, presented House Bill 24-1257. This bill continues the Natural Areas Council in the Department of Natural Resources, which is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2024. The program is continued until September 1, 2034.
02:14:34 PM  
David Klute, representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.
02:19:59 PM  
Senator Will wrapped up his presentation of the bill.


02:20:43 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 24-1257 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Marchman
Seconded
Marchman Yes
Pelton B. Yes
Pelton R. Yes
Priola Yes
Simpson Yes
Danielson Excused
Roberts Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB24-171 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations


02:20:52 PM  
The committee recessed.
02:21:18 PM  
The committee reconvened.
02:24:03 PM  
Senator Will and Senator Roberts, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 24-171. The bill authorizes Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to reintroduce the North American wolverine in Colorado. As long as the wolverine remains on the list of threatened or endangered species under federal law, CPW may not reintroduce the wolverine until the species is designated as a nonessential experimental population by rule established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. If CPW reintroduces the wolverine, it must create rules for providing payment of fair compensation to owners of livestock for losses caused by wolverines.
02:28:47 PM  
Committee members discussed the bill with the sponsors.
02:39:49 PM  
Jake Ivan, representing
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified in support of the bill. Brian Dreher,
representing CPW, testified in support of the bill. John Singletary, representing
himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Dreher and Mr. Ivan responded
to questions from the committee.
02:57:41 PM  
Mr. Travis Grant, representing Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Erin Karney, representing Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Dianna Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified to amend the bill.
03:09:13 PM  
Shannon Johnson, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Bonnie Brown, representing Colorado Wool Growers Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Brittany Dennison, representing Colorado Livestock Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Karney responded to questions from the committee.
03:16:54 PM  
Suzanne O'Neill,
representing Colorado Wildlife Federation, Inc., testified in support of
the bill. Dr. Stefan Ekernas, representing Denver Zoo, testified in support
of the bill. Mr. Jacob Belgrad, representing themself, testified in support
of the bill. Ean Tafoya, representing GreenLatinos, testified in support
of the bill. Commissioner Keith Baker, representing Chaffee County and
Counties & Commissioners Acting Together (CCAT), testified in support
of the bill. Ms. Patricia Dorsey, representing National Wild Turkey Federation,
testified in support of the bill.
03:31:55 PM  
Jim Alexee, representing Colorado Nature League, testified in support of the bill. Michael Saw, representing Defenders of Wildlife, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Melanie Mills, representing Colorado Ski Country USA, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jamie Caton, representing Vail Resorts, testified in support of the bill.
03:43:28 PM  
Ms. Megan Mueller,
representing Rocky Mountain Wild, testified in support of the bill. Mr.
Ivan James, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms.
Brittany Dixon, representing Club 20, testified in a neutral position on
the bill.




Additional written
testimony is available as Attachment A.

03:54:39 PM  
Senator Roberts presented
amendment L.003 (Attachment B).


03:57:02 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.003
Moved Roberts
Seconded
Marchman
Pelton B.
Pelton R.
Priola
Simpson
Danielson
Roberts
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:57:02 PM  
Senator R. Pelton
presented amendment L.001 (Attachment C). The sponsors discussed the amendment
with Senator R. Pelton.


04:00:59 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Pelton R.
Seconded
Marchman No
Pelton B. Yes
Pelton R. Yes
Priola No
Simpson Yes
Danielson No
Roberts No
YES: 3   NO: 4   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL
04:01:00 PM  
Senators Will and Roberts wrapped up their presentation of the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.


04:08:27 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 24-171, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Roberts
Seconded
Marchman Yes
Pelton B. No
Pelton R. No
Priola Yes
Simpson Yes
Danielson Yes
Roberts Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


04:08:43 PM   The committee adjourned.