S_AGR_2021A 03/11/2021 01:29:42 PM Committee Summary

Senator Coram presented Senate Bill 21-034 to the committee.  The bill refers to voters a proposal to create the Water Resources Financing Enterprise in the Department of Natural Resources to provide financing to water providers.

Committee questions and discussion followed. The committee discussed the fiscal note for the bill.

Kathleen Curry, Ute Water Conservancy District, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Drew Beckwith, City of Westminster, testified in opposition to the bill.

Heather Stauffer, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition to the bill.

Senator Ginal presented Senate Bill 21-136. The Forest Health Advisory Council is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2021. This bill continues the committee until September 1, 2026, following a sunset review.

Ben Tisdel, Ouray County, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Donovan presented Senate Bill 21-012. The bill prohibits the Wildland Fire Management Section in the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Fire Prevention and Control from disqualifying an applicant for employment solely due to the applicant’s conviction of a felony or other offense involving moral turpitude. Amendment L.002 was distributed (Attachment A).

Joel Malecka, Department of Public Safety, testified on the bill.

John Murtaugh, representing Defenders of Wildlife, testified in opposition to the bill.

Delia Malone, representing Colorado Sierra Club, testified in opposition to the bill.

Gary Skiba, representing San Juan Citizens Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill.

Bonnie Petersen, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified to amend the bill.

Patrick O'Toole, representing self, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Jo Stanko, representing Stanko Ranch, testified in support of the bill.

Kathleen Curry, representing Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management, testified in support of the bill.

Bonnie Brown, representing Colorado Wool Growers Association, testified in support of the bill.

County Commissioner Donald Broom, representing Moffat County Commissioners, testified in support of the bill.

Terri Lamers, representing Snyder Ranches, testified in support of the bill.

Robbie LeValley, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Mike Samson, representing Garfield County Commissioners, testified in support of the bill.

Janie VanWinkle, representing Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified in support of the bill.

Philip Anderson, representing Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified in support of the bill.

Philip Anderson, representing Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified in support of the bill.

Ben Rogers, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Grand County Commissioner Merrit Linke, representing Grand County, testified in support of the bill.

Callie Hendrickson, representing White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts, testified in support of the bill.

Don Suppes, representing Delta County, testified in support of the bill.

Terry Fankhauser, representing Colorado Cattlemen's Association, testified in support of the bill.

Coby Corkle, representing Jackson County, testified in support of the bill.

Gary Moyer, representing Rio Blanco County Commissioner, testified in support of the bill.

Peter Baier, representing Mesa County, testified in support of the bill.

Alice Crosgrove, Department of Natural Resources, responded to questions.

Max Nardo, Legislative Council Staff, responded to committee members' questions.

Senator Sonnenberg distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment D).

Ms. Cosgrove responded to committee members' questions.

Austin Vincent, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, shared the remarks of Zandon Bray, also representing the Colorado Farm Bureau.

Senator Sonnenberg described amendment L.002.