610747926D7DC4B3872582240070F9DC Hearing Summary

Representative Arndt called the meeting to order and reviewed the policies for taking remote testimony for the committee and identified the remote testimony sites.

Representative Lewis presented House Bill 18-1043, concerning a requirement that a retailer indicate the country of origin of beef sold to the public. The bill amends the Colorado Food and Drug Act to require anyone selling meat at retail to the public to conspicuously display a placard next to the beef designating it as either "U.S.A. Beef" or "Imported," depending on where the animals were born, raised, and slaughtered. If imported, the placard must indicate the beef's country of origin. The bill exempts beef that has been manufactured, cured, smoked, cooked, or processed. The Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) may adopt rules to enforce the bill requirements.

Representative Lewis responded to questions from the committee regarding the consumer cost impacts of requiring stores to display the country of origin of beef and why pork producers declined to be included in the legislation.

Representative Lewis continued to respond to questions from the committee regarding the bill.

The following people testified remotely from Adams State University:

David Brown, Brown Farms, testified in opposition to the bill.

Erin Nissen, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau and Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

James Henderson, Conejos County Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.

Lynn Shawcroft, Shawcroft Ranches, testified in opposition to the bill.

Michael Lobato, Windowshash Ranch, testified in opposition to the bill.

Anthony Lobato, Colorado Conservation District, testified in opposition to the bill.

The following persons testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University:

Bruce Talbott, Mesa County Farm Bureau and Talbott Farms, testified in opposition to the bill.

Janie VanWinkle, Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jessica Potter, JT Diamond Land and Cattle, LLC, testified in opposition to the bill.

Kathryn Bedell, Roan Creek Ranch, testified in support of the bill.

Lanelle Miller, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Miller responded to questions from the committee.

Zandon Bray, Bray Ranches and Montrose Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.

The following persons testified remotely from Fort Lewis College:

Al Heaton, East Pines Ranch, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dustin Stein, Four Corners Farmers and Ranchers Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Former Representative J. Paul Brown, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Neal Drysdale, Starter Hotel, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

The following persons testified remotely from Otero Junior College:

Curtis Russell, Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Dave Mendenhall, Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Elisabeth Erickson Noe, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Noe responded to questions from the committee regarding her cattle production and sales.

Gary Melcher, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.

Laura Negley, Kiowa County Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ryan Sallee, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Sallee responded to questions from the committee regarding his cattle production.

Sharri Smith, Southern Colorado Livestock Association, testified in support of the bill.

Kenneth Lewis, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

The following persons testified remotely from Trinidad State Junior College:

Henry Brown, Southern Colorado Livestock Association, testified in support of the bill.

Jamie Smith, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Gerald Smith, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Bill Bullard, R-Calf USA, testified in support of the bill and distributed statistics on the cattle production industry to the committee [Attachment A]. Mr. Bullard responded to questions from the committee regarding the importation of beef and the United States cattle industry.

Mike Callicrate, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Lora Bledsoe, Colorado Independant Cattle Growers Assication, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Bledsoe responded to questions from the committee.

Gerald Schrieber, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Robert Patterson, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Patterson responded to questions from the committee regarding the cost to producers.

Julie McCaleb, McCaleb Livestock, testified in opposition to the bill.

Kenny Rogers, Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Rogers responded to questions from the committee.

Nick Hoover, Colorado Restaurant Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Stephanie Hicks, Tavern League of Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.

May Lou Chapman, Rocky Mountain Ford, tetified in opposition to the bill and distributed a copy of her comments [Attachment B] and a letter from the North American Meat Institute regarding the bill [Attachment C] to the committee.

Ms. Chapman responded to committee questions.

Mr. Hoover responded to committee questions.

Mr. Jolly responded to committee questions.

Pat Karney, Karney Land, testified in opposition to the bill.

Sid Yoder, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Wade Yoder, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Todd Ingle, Front Range Livestock Association and Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Robert Farnan, Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Tom Harrington, Holy Cross Cattleman's Association and Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Debi Price, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Price responded to questions from the committee.

Amber Price, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Tim Lehmann, Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Steve Wooten, Colorado Cattleman's Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Stanley White, Southern Colorado Livestock Association, testified in support of the bill.

Konner Dehmlow, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Dehmlow responded to questions from the committee regarding how the bill would benefit his business.

Korry Lewis, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jennifer Jones, Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE), testified in support of the bill.

Dallas Vaughn, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Lewis responded to questions from the committee regarding federal beef labeling policies. Ms. Jones also responded to questions from the committee.

Bill Hammerick, Colorado Livestock Association, testified in opposition to the bill. He also stated that the Colorado Corn Growers Association oppose the bill.

Chris Howes, Colorado Retail Council, testified in opposition to the bill.

Luke Larson, Centennial Cuts, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Howes responded to questions from the committee regarding the Colorado Proud Program and the enforcement of that program. He also responded to questions regarding possible liabilities faced by retailers if required to display a placard identifying the country of origin of beef.

Carlyle Courrier, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.

Marc Arnush, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.

Audrey Rock, Coloraod Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Courrier responded to questions from the committee regarding mandatory placards in other states. Mr. Arnush also responded to questions from the committee regarding states' abilities to preempt federal policies.

James Bledsoe, Colorado Independant Cattlegrowers Association (CICA), testified in support of the bill.

Travis Stovall, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill.

Nate Weathers, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Representative Lewis responded to questions from the committee regarding specific provisions of the bill.

Marlene Groves, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Robin Price, representing CICA and R-Calf, testified in support of the bill.

Kay Schreiber, representing CICA, testified in support of the bill.

Karen Shipper, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Art Evans, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Lewis distributed Amendment L.001 [Attachment D] and Amendment L.002 [Attachment E].

Yelena Love, Office of Legislative Legal Services, explained the amendment, which defines the term retailer and excludes restaruants and taverns from the bill.