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49E164C7CDC11AF287258823005CF237 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB22-168

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Date Apr 13, 2022      
Location Old Supreme Court



SB22-168 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations


10:56:39 AM  
Senator Rankin and Senator Donovan, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 22-168 to the committee. Effective January 1, 2023, this bill transfers the functions of the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) related to backcountry search and rescue to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) in the Department of Natural Resources. All staff and appropriations to DOLA related to the backcountry search and rescue card program and the related cash fund are transferred to CPW. On or after January 1, 2023, the Parks and Wildlife Commission is required to establish by rule, the price and vendor fee for the backcountry search and rescue card, and the surcharge on other licenses that is credited to the program cash fund. Under current law, these amounts are set in statute. The bill extends the existing immunity from civil liability for volunteer firefighters and incident management teams to individuals engaged in backcountry search and rescue efforts. Finally, this bill makes a dependent of a person who died or was permanently disabled while engaged in backcountry search and rescue efforts eligible for free tuition and room and board assistance at public institutions of higher education.
11:02:06 AM  
Senator Donovan responded to questions from the committee.
11:04:08 AM  

Alice Horgan, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill. Heather Dugan, representing CPW, testified in support of the bill. Jeff Sparhawk, representing Colorado Search and Rescue Association, testified in support of the bill.

11:12:18 AM  
The panel responded to questions from the committee.
11:15:56 AM  
Rio Blanco County Sheriff Anthony Mazzola, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.
11:16:51 AM  
Senator Donovan presented amendment L.001 (Attachment A).


11:20:52 AM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Coram
Fields
Hinrichsen
Simpson
Woodward
Jaquez Lewis
Donovan
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
11:21:12 AM  
Senators Rankin and Donovan wrapped up their presentation of the bill.
11:25:41 AM  
Committee members commented on the bill.


11:26:32 AM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 22-168, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Woodward Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS






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