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s_agr_2016a_2016-02-11t13:31:00z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/11/2016



Final

BILL SUMMARY for SJM16-001



SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES, & ENERGY


Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt Amendment L.001. The motion passed without o

Refer SJM16-001, as amended, to the Senate for fin
Pass Without Objection

PASS







02:18 PM -- SJM 16-001



Senator Roberts, sponsor, discussed the provisions of Senate Joint Memorial 16-001 concerning Good Samaritan remediation of abandoned mines and distributed Amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The memorial, recommended by the interim Water Resources Review Committee, urges Congress to pass legislation establishing a Good Samaritan exemption from liability under the Clean Water Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.



160211 AttachE.pdf160211 AttachE.pdf



The following persons testified remotely on the memorial:



02:22 PM --
Peter Butler, Animas River Stakeholders Group, spoke in support of the memorial and Amendment L.001. He also discussed the impact of mine drainage on streams and rivers in southwest Colorado.



02:23 PM --
Liane Jollon, Executive Director, San Juan Basin Health, discussed the role of her organization in protecting public health and spoke in support of the memorial.



02:27 PM --
Tom Schillaci, representing himself, spoke in support of the memorial and identified potential projects that may benefit from Good Samaritan liability protections.



02:30 PM --
Bruce Whitehead, Southwestern Water Conservation District, Colorado Water Congress, spoke in support of the memorial and Amendment L.001. He also discussed the impact of the Gold King Mine spill on the Animas River and communities that rely on this resource.



The following persons testified in person on the memorial:



02:36 PM --
Dianna Orf, Colorado Mining Association, spoke in support of the memorial and discussed how regulation of mining has changed from historic mining practices.



02:39 PM --
David Nickum, Colorado Trout Unlimited, spoke in support of the memorial and discussed abandoned mine cleanup projects his organization has helped conduct.



02:41 PM --
Becky Long, Conservation Colorado, spoke in support of the memorial and Amendment L.001.



02:43 PM --
Chris Treese, Colorado River Water Conservation District, spoke in support of the memorial and discussed draft federal legislation concerning Good Samaritan liability protections.



02:45 PM --
Ginny Brannon, Director, Division of Reclamation, Mining, and Safety, spoke in support of the memorial. She also identified mine remediation projects that can occur without the need for Good Samaritan liability protections.



02:47 PM



The chair closed testimony on the bill.


BILL: SJM16-001
TIME: 02:48:05 PM
MOVED: Roberts
MOTION: Adopt Amendment L.001. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Baumgardner
Cooke
Donovan
Garcia
Hodge
Jones
Scott
Roberts
Sonnenberg
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection




BILL: SJM16-001
TIME: 02:48:34 PM
MOVED: Roberts
MOTION: Refer SJM16-001, as amended, to the Senate for final action. The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Baumgardner
Yes
Cooke
Yes
Donovan
Yes
Garcia
Yes
Hodge
Yes
Jones
Yes
Scott
Yes
Roberts
Yes
Sonnenberg
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS









02:50 PM



The committee adjourned.




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