H_AWN_2025A 01/27/2025 01:35:08 PM Committee Summary

Representative Lukens and Representative Johnson, bill co-prime sponsors, introduced House Bill 25-1014. This bill makes several modifications to the operations of the Division of Water Resources in the Department of Natural Resources. The bill includes general language cleanup and removal of obsolete provisions, and changes some procedures for how conditional permit holders can obtain a permanent permit to appropriate groundwater.

Representative Johnson distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A).

Bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Sarah Brucker, representing
Division of Water Resources, Department of Natural Resources, testified
in support of the bill. J Burow, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union,
testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Brucker responded
to questions from the committee.

Bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.

Mr. Keith McLaughlin,
representing Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority,
testified in support of the bill. Michael Valdez, representing Special
District Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



The panelists
responded to questions from the committee.

Sponsors gave closing comments on the resolution.

Representative McCormick and Representative Garcia Sander, bill co-prime sponsors, introduced House Bill 25-1034. Under current law, the owner of a dog that causes serious bodily injury to a veterinary health care worker, dog groomer, humane agency personnel, professional dog handler, or trainer in the performance of their duties is protected from criminal liability unless the owner is subject to an existing court order regarding their dog. The bill removes this exemption if the dog inflicts serious bodily injury to these professionals. Serious bodily injuries encompass severe injuries and those that involve a substantial risk of death.

Fatima Fernandez, representing Harmony Initiative Inc., testified in a neutral position on the bill. Paul Dulany, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Gonzalez, bill sponsor, introduced House Bill 25-1074. The bill repeals the confinement standards for egg-laying hens whose eggs are sold in Colorado created by House Bill 20-1343.

The bill sponsor responded to questions from the committee.

Michael Vance, representing Libertarian Party of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Hannah Goodman, representing The Libertarian Party of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Valdamar Archuleta, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jim Bridgham, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Brandon Wark, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Jacob Luria, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Commissioner Scott James, representing Weld County Board of County Commissioners, testified in support of the bill. Csilla Brimer, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner James responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Garin Vorthmann,
representing Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in support of the bill. Fatima
Fernandez, representing Harmony Initiative Inc., testified in a neutral
position on the bill. Amy Bales, representing themself, testified in support
of the bill.



Ms. Vorthmann
responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Christopher Howes,
representing Colorado Retail Council, testified to amend the bill. James
Wiley, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr.
Roland Halpern, representing Colorado Voters for Animals, testified in
opposition to the bill. Mr. Jordan Beezley, representing Colorado Department
of Agriculture, testified in opposition to the bill. Mark Nilson, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Beezley and
Mr. Howes responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Bill Scebbi,
representing Colorado Egg Producers, testified in opposition to the bill.
Tyler Garrett, representing Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in
opposition to the bill. Ms. Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified
in opposition to the bill. Mr. Jerry Wilkins, representing ProEgg, Inc.,
testified in opposition to the bill.



The panelists
responded to questions from the committee.




Additional written testimony can be found in Attachment C.