H_AGR_2017A 02/27/2017 Committee Summary

01:31 PM -- SB17-030



Representative Esgar, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-030, concerning the exemption from the schedules of controlled substances any anabolic steroid that is administered through injection into nonhuman species. The reengrossed bill allows for the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin licensed for animal use only, to cattle or other nonhuman species through implants or injections. Human chorionic gonadotropin is used to treat cows for cystic ovaries.



01:34 PM -- Dr. Leo Boyle, Colorado Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), spoke in support of the bill.



01:37 PM -- Dr. Allison Flynn, Merk Animal Health, spoke in support of the bill. Dr. Flynn discussed the classification of the anabolic steroid and how that drug is administered. Dr. Flynn responded to questions from the committee regarding the fertilization of cattle after they have been treated with chorionic gonadotropin, whether the substance effects dairy products from the cattle.







01:43 PM



Representative Mitsch Bush closed public testimony, and Representative Esgar made closing comments on the bill.

01:46 PM -- SB 17-050



Representative KC Becker and Representative Arndt, cosponsors presented Senate Bill 17-050, concerning the consolidation of grant programs relating to forest management. The reengrossed bill consolidates existing state grant programs related to forest management under the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) and gives it the authority to spend unencumbered balances in certain cash funds. Representative Arndt read a letter of support from the Mountain Studies Institute into the record.



01:54 PM -- Madeline West, Department of Natural Resources, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a handout regarding state funding for forest restoration and wildfire risk mitigation (Attachment A). She also identified funding history for the Forest Health Restoration Grant and the Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant. She stated that the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District and the Timber Association support the bill.



170227 AttachA.pdf

















01:58 PM -- Mike Lester, State Forester, CSFS, spoke in support of the bill and discussed projects funded by Forest Health Restoration Grant and the Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant. Mr. Lester responded to questions from the committee regarding the health of the state's forests. Mr. Lester discussed community fire protection plans and responded to further questions from the committee regarding the acreage of state forest land and the timbering industry.



02:11 PM -- Scott Segerstrom, Executive Director, Colorado Youth Corps Association, spoke in support of the bill.



02:14 PM -- Mike Morgan, Director, Colorado Division of Fire Protection and Control, spoke in support of the bill.



02:17 PM -- Megan Davis, Boulder County Commissioners Office, spoke in support of the bill.



02:20 PM -- Brett Wolk, Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, spoke in support of the bill.



02:25 PM



Representative Mitsch Bush closed public testimony, and Representatives Becker and Arndt made closing comments on the bill.

02:28 PM -- SB 17-090



Representative Mtsch Bush, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-090, concerning how to measure the level of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in industrial hemp. The reengrossed bill requires the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) to determine the level of THC in industrial hemp by measuring the combined concentration of THC and its precursor, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THC-A). The Colorado Constitution requires that industrial hemp contain a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of no more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.



02:33 PM -- Mitch Yergert, CDA, spoke in support of the bill and distributed a handout displaying the chemical makeup of THC and THC-A (Attachment B). Mr. Yergert responded to questions from the committee.



170227 AttachB.pdf



02:38 PM -- Das Ellis, representing himself, spoke in opposition to the bill and distributed a copy of his comments to the committee (Attachment C). Mr. Ellis responded to questions from the committee.



170227 AttachC.pdf



02:59 PM -- Robert Chase, Colorado Coalition on Patient Care, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:06 PM -- Timothy Tipton, Rocky Mountain Caregivers, spoke in opposition to the bill.



03:12 PM



Mr. Yergert responded to questions from the committee regarding the difference between THC and THC-A, as well as the different methodologies used by CDA in testing for the presence of THC and THC-A.



03:16 PM



Duane Gall, Office of Legislative Legal Service, responded to questions from the committee concerning the constitutionality of the bill.





03:18 PM -- Jessica LeReux, representing herself, spoke in opposition of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.



03:36 PM -- Mark Angerhofer, representing himself, responded to questions from the committee.







03:38 PM



Representative Arndt closed public testimony, and Representative Mitsch Bush closed her comments on the bill.

03:39 PM



Representative Arndt announced that Senate Bill 17-109 would be laid over until March 6, 2017.



03:40 PM



The committee adjourned.