Skip to main content
Colorado General AssemblyToggle Main Menu
Agency NameToggle Agency Menu

S_AGR_2022A 03/31/2022 01:36:51 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Date 03/31/2022
Attendance
Coram X
Fields X
Hinrichsen X
Simpson X
Sonnenberg X
Jaquez Lewis X
Donovan X
Time 01:36:51 PM to 04:10:20 PM
Place Old Supreme Court
This Meeting was called to order by Donovan
This Report was prepared by Julia Jackson
Hearing Items Action Taken
Presentation from the Colorado State Forest Service on the Annual Forest Health Report Committee Discussion Only
SB22-167 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB22-166 Referred to Senate Finance
SB22-169 Committee Discussion Only

Presentation from the Colorado State Forest Service on the Annual Forest Health Report - Committee Discussion Only


01:38:31 PM  
The committee recessed.
01:38:44 PM  
The committee returned to order.
01:40:05 PM  

Matt McCombs, State Forester and Director of the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS), introduced himself and began presenting on the work of the CSFS. The following handouts were distributed to the committee:

The Colorado Forest Action Plan, which can be found here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-ForestActionPlan.pdf

Five Year Strategic Plan, which can be found here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CSFS-StrategicPlan-2016-2020.pdf

The Home Ignition Zone, which can be found here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021_CSFS_HIZGuide_Web.pdf

01:54:46 PM  

Mr. McCombs continued to discuss CSFS work investing in Colorado's forests.  He briefed the committee on the 2021 Report on the Health on Colorado's Forests, which can be found online here: https://csfs.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2021_Forest_Health_Report.pdf

02:01:15 PM  
Mr. McCombs responded to questions from the committee.
02:01:34 PM  

Frank Beum, Regional Forester, US Forest Service (USFS) Rocky Mountain Region, presented to the committee on national forests and grasslands in Colorado. He provided a written copy of his testimony (Attachment A). He discussed USFS fire mitigation work.

02:26:49 PM  
Mr. Beum responded to questions from the committee.



SB22-167 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole


02:36:28 PM  

Senator Ginal, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 22-167 to the committee. Under current law, breeders of racing greyhounds not intended to be companion pets are exempt from the requirements of the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act. The bill repeals this exemption.

02:38:26 PM  
Mr. Jordan Beezley, representing Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified in a neutral position on the bill.
02:38:47 PM  

Ali Mickelson, representing Dumb Friends League, testified in support of the bill. She provided a handout for the committee (Attachment B). Roland Halpern, representing Colorado Voters For Animals, testified in support of the bill. Duane Adams, representing Animal Welfare Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

02:43:43 PM  
Ms. Mickelson and Mr. Adams responded to questions from the committee.
02:49:41 PM  
Francesca Maes, representing self, testified in support of the bill.
02:51:37 PM  
Senator Ginal wrapped up her presentation of the bill.
02:53:03 PM  
Committee members commented on the bill.


02:55:53 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 22-167 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Jaquez Lewis
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg No
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB22-166 - Referred to Senate Finance


02:56:37 PM  
Senator Donovan, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 22-166 to the committee. This bill reauthorizes the voluntary contribution designation (income tax checkoff) benefitting the Colorado Nongame Conservation and Wildlife Restoration Fund and extends the voluntary contribution indefinitely. Money in the fund is used to support wildlife rehabilitation and preservation of threatened and endangered species in the state through Colorado Parks and Wildlife programs. Under current law, the income tax checkoff will be available through tax year 2021.
02:59:32 PM  
Senator Donovan responded to questions from the committee about the bill.
02:59:51 PM  
Alice Cosgrove Horgan, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill.
03:02:12 PM  
Senator Donovan wrapped up her presentation of the bill.


03:02:53 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 22-166 to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Coram Yes
Fields Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Simpson Yes
Sonnenberg Yes
Jaquez Lewis Yes
Donovan Yes
Final YES: 7   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB22-169 - Committee Discussion Only


03:03:10 PM  
Senator Donovan, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 22-169 to the committee. The bill excludes information concerning the location of animals or sensitive plant species and habitat from requests for information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
03:07:24 PM  
Senator Donovan responded to questions from the committee.
03:12:56 PM  
Mr. Jeff Roberts, representing Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, Colorado Press Association, and Colorado Broadcasting Association, testified to amend the bill.
03:23:01 PM  
Kathleen Curry, representing Coloradans for Responsible Wildlife Management, testified in support of the bill. She read a letter from sportsmen's organizations in support of the bill.
03:28:43 PM  

Doug Vilsack, representing the Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill. Jeff Ver Steeg, representing Colorado Parks and Wildlife, testified on the bill and responded to committee questions.

03:40:00 PM  
Senator Donovan and
Mr. Vilsack answered questions from the committee.
03:56:59 PM  
Committee discussion with the bill sponsor and representatives of the Department of Natural Resources continued.
04:09:29 PM  
Senator Donovan asked the committee to lay the bill over for action only at a later date.


04:10:20 PM   The committee adjourned.






The 2024 Statewide Ballot Information Booklet is now online