H_AGR_2017A 01/23/2017 Committee Summary

01:31 PM -- HB 17-1030



Representative Arndt, sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1030, concerning updates to the 1921 law concerning irrigation districts. The bill, recommended by the Water Resources Review Committee, updates the 1921 Irrgation District Act by increasing the compensation for board members and election judges from $10 to $100 per day; clarifying the definitions of agricultural land and landowner; allowing an irrigation district to lease its surplus water for all beneficial uses; clarifying how irrigation district assessments are to be collected and held by district treasurers; and eliminating the bonding requirement for district board members, among other updates. The bill also increases the amount of a contract or an eminent domain proceeding that requires voter ratification in a district election from $20,000 to $500,000. Representative Arndt distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment A) to the committee.



170123 AttachA.pdf



01:34 PM -- Mark Hermundstad, Orchard Mesa Irrigation, spoke in support of the bill.



01:37 PM -- Kent Holsinger, Henrylyn Irrigation District, spoke in support of the bill and gave a brief description of the Henrylyn Irrigation District. Mr. Holsinger also discussed the background of the bill and the provisions that are updated under the bill.









01:40 PM -- Max Schmidt, Orchard Mesa Irrigation District, spoke in support of the bill.



01:42 PM



Mr. Hermunstead responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill and discussed specific updates that the bill makes. Mr. Hermunstead also discussed proposed amendment L.001. Mr. Holsinger responded to questions from the committee concerning the dollar amount of a repair for which the irrigation district would require a vote and the ability of irrigation districts to complete damage repairs.



01:51 PM -- Dianna Orf, Colorado Water Congress, spoke in support of the bill.



01:52 PM



The chair closed testimony, and Representative Arndt discussed Amendment L.001.

01:55 PM



The committee recessed



02:00 PM



The committee came back to order, and Representative Arndt concluded her comments on the bill.

02:02 PM -- HJR 17-1004



Representative Mitsch Bush presented House Joint Resolution 17-1004, concerning the funding for the aquatic nuisance species program. The resolution, recommended by the Water Resources Review Committee, urges the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Forest Service to provide funding to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for implementation of the state's Zebra and Quagga Mussel Management Plan. Representative Mitsch Bush distributed two handouts to the committee regarding data concerning aquatic nuisance species and the agencies that manage the occurrence of aquatic nuisance species (Attachments B and C). Representative Mitsch Bush responded to questions from the committee concerning the resolution and committee discussion ensued.



170123 AttachB.pdf170123 AttachC.pdf















02:10 PM -- Dianna Orf, Colorado Water Congress, spoke in support of the resolution.



02:11 PM -- Reid DeWalt, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Elizabeth Brown, Aquatic Nuisance Species Program Manager, responded to questions from the committee regarding funding for the Aquatic Nuisance Species Program and how the decrease in Severance Tax Funds would affect that funding.



02:15 PM



Representative Mitsch Bush concluded her comments on the bill.

02:18 PM



The committee adjourned.