H_AGR_2017A 05/01/2017 Committee Summary

01:32 PM -- SB 17-271



Representative Pabon, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-271, concerning the development of a transparent process by which an investor-owned utility may recover actual costs from a property owner on whose behalf the utility has extended is service by connecting the property owner's property to the utility's service. The reengrossed bill requires the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to evaluate investor-owned utilities' current service extension policies for serving new load applications through a non-adjudicatory proceeding, with exceptions for gas-only utilities. During the proceeding, which must take place by February 2018, the PUC is required to consider certain general load extension procedures, equitable allocation of costs, and variables that affect time lines. Within 90 days after the conclusion of the proceeding the PUC may promulgate rules related to the findings. Representative Pabon responded to question from the committee concerning the rule-making ability of the PUC.



01:43 PM -- Chris Elliot, Colorado Builds, testified in support of the bill.





01:47 PM



Representative Pabon made concluding comments on the bill and committee discussion ensued.

01:49 PM -- HB 17-1367



Representatives Arndt and Pabon, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1367, concerning marijuana research authorization. The bill cerates a marijuana research and development license and a marijuana research and development endorsement to an existing license to be issued by the Marijuana Enforcement Division in the Department of Revenue (DOR). The license or endorsement authorizes a person to produce, process, and possess marijuana for limited research purposes, including testing chemical potency levels; conducting clinical investigations of marijuana-derived medicinal products; conducting research on the efficacy and safety of administering marijuana as part of medical treatment; conducting genomic, horticultural, of agricultural research; and conducting research on marijuana-affiliated products or systems. An application for a license of endorsement must include a description of the research and whether the research will be conducted with a public institution or with public money. If the research will be conducted with a public institution or with public money, the Scientific Advisory Council in the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is required to assess the project based on criteria outlined in the bill. If the council find the project does not meet the criteria, the application will be denied. If the research will not be conducted by a public institution or with public money, the Marijuana Enforcement Division will assess the project. The division is required to promulgate rules by January 1, 2018, that permit researchers to use licensed retail marijuana testing facilities to test marijuana products for medical or scientific research.





02:01 PM



Representative Pabon and Arndt responded to questions from the committee regarding marijuana research at public institutions and the type of research to be conducted.



02:17 PM -- Dr. Matthew Wallenstein, Growcentia Inc., testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee regarding the company's cannabis testing. Mr. Wallenstein stated that currently, his company is not able to conduct testing on marijuana. Mr. Wallenstein also responded to questions from the committee regarding testing of medicinal marijuana and public-private partnerships in conducting research. Mr. Wallenstein discussed the risk involved for public universities and institutions when conducting research on marijuana.



02:21 PM -- Colin Bell, Growcentia, testified in support of the bill and discussed marijuana research in the agricultural sector.



02:22 PM -- Gregg Steinberg, Growcentia, testified in support of the bill.



02:28 PM -- Mark Angerhoffer, Craft Concentrates, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Angerhoffer responded to questions from the committee.



02:30 PM -- Ian Barringer, RM3 Labs, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee regarding the benefits of research and development in marijuana.



02:44 PM -- Albert Gutierrez, Farm Research, testified in support of the bill and discussed the research that his company conducts and how the bill would assist his company in conducting more in depth research.



02:47 PM -- Jessica LeRoux, Cannabis Patients, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.



02:55 PM -- Ron Kammerzell, DOR, testified in support of the bill.



03:02 PM -- Jim Burack, DOR, Marijuana Enforcement Division, testified in support of the bill an discussed research centers.





03:06 PM



Representatives Arndt and Pabon made concluding comments regarding the bill, and committee discussion ensued.

03:21 PM -- HB 17-1364



The committee came back to order. Representatives Arndt and Hansen, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 17-1364, concerning the authority of a local government master plan to include policies to implement state water plan goals as a condition of development approvals. Under current law, local governments and other public water suppliers are required to adopt a water use master plan to encourage the efficient use of publicly supplied water among consumers. These water plans are then incorporated into county and municipal master development plans. If a local government's master plan includes a water element, the bill requires that the element include water conservation policies, which may include goals specified in the state water plan, and may also include policies to implement water conservation and other state water plan goals as a condition of development approvals, including subdivisions, planned unit developments, special use permits, and zoning changes. For municipalities and counties that are required to adopt a master plan that includes a water supply element, water conservation policies must be adopted by December 31, 2018. Representative Hansen distributed Amendment L.002 (Attachment A), which eliminates the mandatory provisions of the bill. Representatives Arndt and Hansen responded to questions from the committee regarding the bill, and committee discussion ensued.



170501 AttachA.pdf











03:36 PM -- Susan Wood, American Planning Association, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee regarding mandatory elements for master plans.



03:39 PM -- Paul Rosenberg, American Planning Association, testified in support of the bill.



03:41 PM -- Denise Balkas, American Planning Association, testified in support of the bill.



03:51 PM -- Morgan Cullen, Colorado Municipal League, testified neutrally on the bill, as it would be amended by Amendment L.002.



03:52 PM -- Donna Brosemer, Greeley Water, testified in opposition to the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

04:00 PM



Representatives Hansen and Arndt made concluding comments regarding the bill. Committee discussion ensued.

04:13 PM



The committee adjourned.