H_AGR_2018A 12/19/2018 10:32:57 AM Committee Summary

Kerri Hunter, Deputy State Auditor, Office of the State Auditor (OSA), introduced herself to the committee and discussed the auditing process.

Mr. Weston responded to questions from the committee, and committee discussion ensued. Mr. Weston discussed the recommendations made by the working group and discussed how the working group gathered input from the public. Mr. Weston stated that the working group sent out over 300 surveys to different entities and received 54 responses. Mr. Weston also discussed the stakeholder meeting, which took place in October of 2018.

The following persons testified on the working group report:

Jillane Hixson, representing herself, testified before the committee. She distributed information relating to her testimony to the committee [Attachment D] and two letters from the IRS regarding her conservation easement [Attachment E]. Ms. Hixson responded to questions from the committee.

Julia Gentz, representing herself, testified before the committee regarding her experience with conservation easements. Ms. Gentz discussed her recommendations for the conservation program. Ms. Gentz responded to questions from the committee.

Alan Gentz, representing himself, testified before the committee regarding his experience with conservation easements. Mr. Gentz responded to questions from the committee regarding the appraisal process for his conservation easement.

Senator Sonnenberg and other committee members made concluding comments regarding the conservation easement program and the working group report.

Representative Lewis moved to reject the Working Group Report.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Senator Sonnenberg ruled that the joint committee does not have the authority to take action on any item under the SMART Government Act statute.  Representative Lewis's objection to the report is noted.

Joy Moore, Chief Financial Officer, introduced herself to the committee and discussed the department's FY 2019-20 budget request. She discussed a budget request to manage and distribute biological control agents as a form of pest control. She also discussed a request to increase international marketing efforts aimed at helping Colorado food and agricultural suppliers develop new markets.

Karen Lover, Executive Assistant, discussed rulemaking activities that occurred in 2018.

Commissioner Brown responded to questions from the committee regarding the mental health crisis in the agriculture industry.

The committee came back to order.

Bob Randall, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources, introduced himself to the committee and provided an overview of the department. The department's FY 2018-19 Performance Plan and regulatory agenda can be accessed thought the committee's website here:http://leg.colorado.gov/node/1220431/.

Bill Levine, Budget Director, introduced himself to the committee and discussed his role as the budget director. He discussed severance tax funding, specifically House Bill 18-1338, which helps to restore funding to the Severance Tax Operational Fund.  He discussed potential future legislation concerning severance tax, a bill recommended by the Water Resources Review Committee that will seek to change the timing and budgeting of severance tax revenue to several grant programs administered by DNR.

Mr. Broscheid responded to further questions from the committee regarding land purchases made by CPW.  Mr. Follenwieder responded to questions from the committee regarding how targets for certain performance metrics are determined.

Rebecca Mitchell, Director, Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), provided an overview of the CWCB. Ms. Mitchell discussed the department's primary functions and major funding sources. CWCB is primarily funded though the CWCB Construction Fund, Federal Mineral Lease distributions, and severance tax revenue. Ms. Mitchell provided the committee an update on the drought contingency plan efforts in Colorado and throughout the Colorado River Basin. The Upper Basin states have approved a drought contingency plan; however, the Lower Basin States have yet to approve a plan.  The Lower Basin States must approve a plan by January 2019.

Ms. Mitchell and Mr. Stulp responded to questions from the committee concerning drought contingency planning. Ms. Mitchell continued to respond to questions regarding water plan implementation, demand side management, and voluntary curtailment programs.

Bill Ryan, Director, Colorado State Land Board, provided an overview of the committee. Mr. Ryan discussed the land board's main responsibilities and major sources of funding. The SLB is entirely self-funded by revenue generated from leasing state trust land. Mr. Ryan responded to questions from the committee regarding school parcel leases, agricultural leases, and stacked leases.