h_agr_2017a_2017-04-10t13:34:29z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/10/2017

Location: HCR 0107

04:28 PM -- SB 17-117



Representatives Valdez and Catlin, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 17-117, concerning confirmation that industrial hemp is a recognized agricultural water right for which a person with a water right decreed for agricultural use may use the water subject to the water right for industrial hemp cultivation. In Colorado, water subject to a water right may be used for the purpose for which the water is decreed. The bill confirms that a person with an absolute or conditional water right decreed for agricultural use may use the water subject to the water right for the growth or cultivation of industrial hemp. Representatives Valdez and Catlin responded to questions from the committee.



The following persons testified on the bill:



04:54 PM -- Phillip Chavez, Diamond A. Farms, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Chavez responded to questions from the committee.



05:06 PM -- Emily Brummit, Colorado Water Congress, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a copy of comments from CWC to the committee (Attachment D).



170410 AttachD.pdf



05:11 PM -- Jay Winner, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.



05:14 PM -- Samantha Walsh, National Hemp Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Walsh responded to questions from the committee.



05:19 PM -- Garin Vorthmann, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed Order 2015-01 from the State Engineer's Office, concerning the administration of water rights that are decreed for irrigation purposes (Attachment E) and a letter from the Bureau of Reclamation, which states that the Bureau will not approve use of Bureau facilities or water in the cultivation of marijuana (Attachment F). Ms. Vorthmann responded to questions from the committee.



170410 AttachE.pdf170410 AttachF.pdf



05:28 PM -- David Bush, Hoben Law Group, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.



05:44 PM -- Lee Miller, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, testified in opposition to the bill and discussed the Frying Arkansas Project, which is a federal project. Mr. Lee discussed the directive letter from the Bureau of Reclamation. Committee discussion ensued.



06:05 PM



Representative Arndt laid the bill over until Monday, April 17, 2017, for action only.



06:05 PM



The committee adjourned.