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H_AWN_2024A 02/26/2024 02:26:40 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, WATER & NATURAL RESOURCES
Date 02/26/2024
Attendance
Holtorf X
Lindsay X
Lukens X
Lynch X
Martinez X
Marvin X
McLachlan X
Story X
Titone *
Velasco X
Winter T. X
Catlin X
McCormick X
Time 02:26:40 PM to 05:56:51 PM
Place Old State Library
This Meeting was called to order by Catlin
This Report was prepared by Alexa Kelly
Hearing Items Action Taken
SB24-005 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB24-031 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB24-045 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
HB24-1272 Amended, referred to House Appropriations

SB24-005 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
02:26:49 PM  
Representative McCormick,
bill co-prime sponsor, introduced Senate Bill 24-005. Beginning January
1, 2026, the bill prohibits local governments and special districts from
installing, planting, or placing nonfunctional turf, artificial turf, or
invasive plant species as part of a new development or redevelopment project.
Further, beginning January 1, 2025, the Department of Personnel and Administration
must not use prohibited landscaping in construction and renovation projects
on state facilities. The bill does not apply to nonfunctional turf installed
before the effective dates, certain grass seeds or sod, or artificial turf
on athletic fields of play.  
02:30:34 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.
02:31:47 PM  
Mr. David Schlup, representing Rocky Mountain Sod Growers, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Zach Stone, representing American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Schlup responded to questions from the committee.
02:47:38 PM  
Mr. Zane Kessler, representing Colorado River District and the Colorado Water Congress, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Brian Thompson, representing Eagle River Water & Sanitation District, testified in support of the bill. Lindsay Rogers, representing Western Resource Advocates, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Andy Hill, representing Denver Water, testified in support of the bill. The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
03:03:59 PM  
Ms. Jenna Battson,
representing Colorado Water Conservation Board, testified in support of
the bill. Mr. Tony Massaro, representing Business for Water Stewardship,
testified in support of the bill. Mr. Greg Poschman, representing Northwest
Council of Governments, Water Quantity and Quality Committee, testified
in support of the bill. Mr. Jim Blasing, representing Pueblo West Metropolitan
District, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Battson responded
to questions from the committee.
03:04:00 PM  
Submitted written testimony can be found in Attachment A.
03:16:27 PM  
The bill sponsors
discussed amendment L.006 (Attachment B).


03:18:09 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.006
Moved McLachlan
Seconded McCormick
Holtorf
Lindsay
Lukens
Lynch
Martinez
Marvin
McLachlan
Story
Titone Excused
Velasco
Winter T.
Catlin
McCormick
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:18:10 PM  
Representative McCormick and Representative McLachlan gave closing comments on the bill.
03:18:50 PM  
Committee members made final comments on the bill.


03:33:38 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 24-005, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved McLachlan
Seconded McCormick
Holtorf No
Lindsay Yes
Lukens Yes
Lynch Yes
Martinez Yes
Marvin Yes
McLachlan Yes
Story Yes
Titone Excused
Velasco Yes
Winter T. No
Catlin Yes
McCormick Yes
Final YES: 10   NO: 2   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB24-031 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
03:33:46 PM  
Representative Lukens,
bill co-prime sponsor, introduced Senate Bill 24-031 and provided handouts
to the committee (Attachment C). The bill allows for additional local enforcement
of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act. Specifically, it allows each board of
county commissioners to assess and collect fines for violations of local
laws that manage noxious weeds. In addition, under state law, the bill
allows violations of the Noxious Weed Act, or any state or local regulation
under the act, to be charged in county court as a civil infraction. This
civil infraction is in addition to, not a replacement of, the authority
of the Commissioner of Agriculture to issue civil penalties for violations
of the act.
03:44:04 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.
03:44:22 PM  
Tiffany Carlson, representing Routt County, testified in support of the bill. Routt County Commissioner Tim Corrigan, representing Routt County, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ethan Proud, representing Colorado Weed Management Association, testified in support of the bill. Erick Knaus, representing Routt County, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Corrigan and Ms. Carlson responded to questions from the committee.

03:44:23 PM  
Submitted written
testimony can be found in Attachment D.
04:00:03 PM  
Representative Lukens
discussed amendment L.002 (Attachment E).


04:06:47 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002
Moved Lukens
Seconded McLachlan
Holtorf
Lindsay
Lukens
Lynch
Martinez
Marvin
McLachlan
Story
Titone
Velasco
Winter T.
Catlin
McCormick
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:06:48 PM  
The bill sponsors provided closing comments.
04:10:35 PM  
Committee members made final comments on the bill.


04:12:00 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 24-031, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Lukens
Seconded McLachlan
Holtorf No
Lindsay Yes
Lukens Yes
Lynch Yes
Martinez Yes
Marvin Yes
McLachlan Yes
Story Yes
Titone Yes
Velasco Yes
Winter T. No
Catlin Yes
McCormick Yes
Final YES: 11   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB24-045 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
04:12:06 PM  
The committee took
a brief recess.


05:33:24 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 24-045, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Titone
Seconded Catlin
Holtorf Yes
Lindsay Yes
Lukens Yes
Lynch Yes
Martinez Yes
Marvin Yes
McLachlan Yes
Story Yes
Titone Yes
Velasco Yes
Winter T. Yes
Catlin Yes
McCormick Yes
Final YES: 13   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


05:56:51 PM   The committee adjourned.






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