S_AGR_2018A 04/18/2018 09:54:27 AM Committee Summary

Bob Randall, Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, explained that Celene Hawkins is unable to attend her confirmation hearing for the Colorado Water Conservation Board due to a recent child birth.   He requested that her appointment be considered in absentia.

Rebecca Mitchell, Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board, introduced the Governor's appointments to the board and discussed the membership of the board and its duties [Attachment A].

James Yahn of Sterling, reappointed for a term expiring February 12, 2021, and to serve as a representative of the South Platte drainage basin and as a Republican, discussed his experience and interest in serving another term on the board.

Steven A. Anderson of Olathe, appointed for a term expiring February 12, 2021, and to serve as a representative of the Gunnison Uncompahgre drainage basin and as a Republican, discussed his interest in serving on the board.

Jack Martin Goble of Hasty, appointed for a term expiring February 12, 2020, and to serve as a representative from the Arkansas drainage basin and as an Unaffiliated, discussed his interest in serving on the board.

Curran A. Trick of Cowdrey, appointed for a term expiring February 12, 2021, and to serve as a representative of the North Platte drainage basin and as a Republican, discussed her interest in serving on the board.

Heather Renae Dutton of Del Norte, appointed for a term expiring February 12, 2020, and to serve as a representative from the Rio Grande drainage basin and as a Republican, discussed her interest in serving on the board.

Mr. Randall explained Celene Nicole Hawkins of Durango was appointed for a term expiring February 12, 2020, and as a resident of the San Miguel-Dolores-San Juan drainage basin and as Democrat,  He also discussed the experience and expertise that she would bring to the board.  Ms. Hawkins recently gave birth and was unable to attend today's confirmation hearing.

Mr. Anderson responded to questions from the committee about small hydropower projects recently developed in the Uncompahgre River Basin.

Senator Marble, prime-sponsor, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill18-239 concerning animal chiropractic education and reporting requirements. This bill removes the requirement that a registered animal chiropractor receive medical clearance by a licensed veterinarian to perform animal chiropractic treatment if certain education and training requirements are met. Specifically, the chiropractor must complete a one-hour jurisprudence course concerning the laws, rules, and procedures for the identification and notification of certain contagious, infectious, and zoonotic diseases, and completes an eight-hour course on recognizing the earlier indicators and clinical signs of various diseases in dog and equid patients. The bill sets forth the standards for the course and specifies that a chiropractor is not required to retake the courses to renew or reinstate his or her registration to practice animal chiropractic. In addition, the bill requires that two hours of continuing education, out of the current 20-hour requirement, be focused on contagious, infectious, and zoonotic diseases. When treating an animal patient, the chiropractor must notify the licensed veterinarian treating the animal within seven days, or if there is no veterinarian of record, provide documentation on the treatment to the person bringing the animal for treatment. If a chiropractor suspects that the animal patient has had exposure to or is exhibiting symptoms of certain contagious diseases, he or she must stop treatment and notify the animal's licensed veterinarian and the State Veterinarian in the Department of Agriculture.

Diane Mett, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, spoke in support of the bill and distributed background information on the bill [Attachment B].

Roland Halpern, Colorado Voters for Animals, spoke in support of the bill.

Dr. Alex Turner, Colorado Department of Agriculture, spoke in support of the bill.

Senator Marble responded to questions from the committee about the bill.

The chair closed testimony and Senator Marble closed her comments on the bill.

Senator Lundberg and Senator Cooke, co-prime sponsors, discussed the provisions of Senate Bill 18-226 concerning Colorado's involvement in climate alliances.  This bill prohibits the Governor from entering into a state-level climate collaboration that attempts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions or otherwise promote the goals of the Paris Agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.  If the Governor has already entered into a state-level climate collaboration, the bill requires the Governor to withdraw from the collaboration and cease all executive branch activities in conjunction with the collaboration.

 

Senator Lundberg and Senator Cooke responded to questions from the committee about the provisions of the bill and the effect of carbon dioxide emissions on climate change. They also discussed the powers of the Governor of Colorado and the objectives of the U.S. Climate Alliance.

Amelia Myers, Conservation Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill and discussed the impact of climate change on Colorado including its economy and water supply.  She also responded to questions from the committee about the effect of the bill on Colorado's ability to address climate change.

Jeff Neuman-Lee, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill and expressed concern about the impact of climate change.  He also responded to questions from the committee about media coverage of climate change and the possibility of future ice ages.

Marie Venner, Colorado Interfaith Power and Light, spoke in opposition to the bill and discussed the scientific consensus on the cause of global warming. She also responded to questions from the committee about the appropriate level of carbon in the atmosphere and the measurement of historic carbon levels.

Dr, Jan Douglas, Sierra Club, spoke in opposition to the bill.

Reverend Peter Sawtell, Eco Justice Ministries, spoke in opposition to the bill.

Leslie Glustrom, representing herself, spoke in opposition to the bill and discussed the Governor's powers to address climate change and discussed the impact of climate change.  She explained why some scientists in the 1970s believed an ice age was coming in the near future.  She also distributed a map showing global temperature changes from 1981 to 2010 [Attachment C] and responded to questions from the committee about how to change people's oppinion about the threat of climate change and trends in the cost of renewable energy.

Jan Rose, representing herself, spoke in oppostion to the bill and distributed a copy of her testimony [Attachment D]. She also responded to questions from the committee about the economic benefits of addressing climate change.