I_WMRC_2021A 10/28/2021 09:10:53 AM Committee Summary

Representative Cutter called the meeting to order. Senator Story made remarks.

Committee members explained their bill drafts.

Bills drafts and fiscal notes may be accessed on the committee webpage here: http://leg.colorado.gov/content/iwmrc2021acommdocs. Submitted written testimony may be found in Attachment A.

Senator Coram described Bill 1, which creates a wildfire camera pilot program. Becky Brooks, representing herself, commented on Bill 1 and responded to committee questions. Senator Coram responded to committee questions.

Representative Will summarized Bill 2 on prescribed burns, and explained that he would like to remove the bill from consideration.

Representative Valdez, Representative Cutter, and Representative Snyder summarized Bill 3, which includes policies related to wildfire mitigation, recovery, and reforestation. Sponsors responded to committee questions on Bill 3.

Senator Story summarized Bill 4 to increase wildfire risk education and outreach to residents in the wildland urban interface. Senator Story responded to committee questions.

Senator Ginal discussed a bill idea that was withdrawn and not drafted.  

Senator Ginal and Representative Cutter summarized Bill 6 to provide resources to volunteer firefighters.  Committee members commented on Bill 6.

Representative Snyder summarized Bill 7 regarding local government wildfire evacuation and mitigation plans.  He requested that the bill be withdrawn from consideration.

Senator Rankin summarized Bill 8 to assist landowners with wildfire mitigation. Committee members commented.

Representative Cutter summarized Bill 9 to provide incentives to local governments to conduct wildfire mitigation. Representative Cutter responded to committee questions. Committee discussion ensued.

Senator Ginal summarized Bill 10 to provide incentives to promote the Colorado timber industry. Committee members commented. Committee discussion ensued. The committee recessed.

Senator Ginal requested to withdraw Bill 10 from consideration.

Daphne Gervais, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified regarding Bill 9. Matt Jones, Counties and Commissioners Acting Together, testified regarding the committee's bills.

The committee discussed the various bills drafts.

Representative Snyder distributed amendment 3 to Bill 3 (Attachment B).  Representative Cutter distributed Amendment 2 to Bill 3 (Attachment C). Richard Sweetman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, commented on the amdendments.

Representatives Cutter and Valdez and Senators Ginal and Lee were assigned prime sponsors of Bill 3, which will start in the House.

Senators Story and Lee and Representatives Cutter and Snyder were assinged prime sponsors of Bill 4, which will start in the Senate.

Senator Ginal distributed Amendments 1 and 2 to Bill 6 (Attachments D and E).

Senators Ginal and Story and Representatives Cutter and Will were assigned prime sponsors of Bill 6, which will start in the Senate.

Senator Rankin distributed Amendment 1 to Bill 8 (Attachment F).

Bob Lackner, Office of Legislative Legal Services, discussed Amendment 1 and the fiscal implications of Bill 8.

Senators Simpson and Lee and Representatives Valdez and Lynch were assigned prime sponsors of Bill 8, which will start in the House.

Representatives Cutter and Snyder and Senators Story and Lee were assigned prime sponsors of Bill 9, which will start in House.

Representative Cutter and Senator Ginal gave closing remarks.