H_AGR_2018A 02/26/2018 01:30:51 PM Committee Summary

Representative Arndt explained the procedures for remote testimony, as three witnesses plan to testify remotely from Oterro Junior College.

Representatives Catlin and Arndt, co-prime sponsors presented House Bill 18-1151, concerning the authorization of deficit irrigation pilot projects approved by the Colorado Water Conservation Board.  Current law allows the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to approve up to 15 pilot projects for agricultural water leasing or fallowing projects.  The bill expands the types of projects that may be approved to include deficit irrigation projects, which use less than the optimal amount of water on a particular crop.  The bill also excludes from the determination of historical consumptive use decreases in use resulting from deficit irrigation projects to conserve or lease water.

The following persons testified remotely from Oterro Junior College:

Dave Donnell, representing himself, testified in a neutral position to the bill and explained his concerns.  Mr. Donnell responded to questions from the committee.

Dwight Proctor, representing himself, testified in a neutral position on the bill and discussed his concerns. Mr. Proctor responded to questions from the committee.

The following people testified in person on the bill:

Peter Nichols, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, testified in support of the bill and discussed the process by which pilot projects will be chosen, as stated in the bill.  Mr. Nichols responded to questions from the committee.

Emily Ibach, Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.  Ms. Ibach also stated that the Water Rights Association of the South Platte opposes the bill.

Phillip Chavez, Diamond A. Farms, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions from the committee.

Alexander Funk, National Young Farmers Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Jay Winner, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, testified in support of the bill and discussed his experience with the Catlin Pilot Project.

Zane Kessler, Colorado River District, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Arndt explained an amendment being drafted and requested that the bill be laid over until the end of the committee's calendar.

Representative Esgar laid the bill over, as requested.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives McLachlan and Becker, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1236, concerning the continuation of the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council.  The introduced bill implements the recommendations of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) in its Sunset Review and report on the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council by extending the council indefinitely.  Representative Becker moved and distributed Amendment L.001, which strikes everything below the enacting clause [Attachment A].  The amendment would make changes to the council, including lowering the number of members on the council, changing the membership of the council, and making changes to the council's main objectives.

Wendy Peters Moschetti, Livewell Colorado, testified in support of the bill, as amended by Amendment L.001. Ms. Moschetti responded to questions regarding ways in which the council would respond to food waste.

Dr. Dawn Thilmany, Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council, testified in support of the bill and discussed the duties of the council.

Alexander Funk, National Young Farmers Coalition, testified in support of the bill.  He also distributed a letter in support of the bill from Mike Nolan, representing the Four Corners Ranchers Coalition [Attachment B].

Representatives McLachlan and Becker made concluding comments regarding the bill.

Representative Catlin presented House Bill 18-1199, concerning a process for the Ground Water Commission to use for approving aquifer storage-and-recovery plans and requiring that the commission promulgate rules governing its implementation.  The bill requires the Ground Water Commission to promulgate rules for applying for approval of aquifer storage-and-recovery plans.  The commission is required to publish a completed appliction and hold a hearing inf an objection is filed.  The commission is required to approve an aquifer storage-and-recovery plan if it meets both statutory and commission requirements.  Representative Catlin distributed Amendment L.001 [Attachment C].

Steve Sims, Colorado Water Congress and Aurora Water, testified in support of the bill and explained Amendment L.001.

Kathy Kitzman, City of Aurora, testified in support of the bill.

Pat Ratliff, South Metro Water Supply Authority, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Catlin and McLachlan made concluding comments on the bill.

Committee discussion ensued regarding the bill.

Representatives Jackson and Catlin, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1238, concerning the continuation of the Wildland-urban Interface Training Advisory Board.  The bill implements the recommendation of DORA to sunset the board.

Representatives Hansen and McKean, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1235, concerning the continuation of the regulation of custom meat processors.  The bill continues the regulation of custom meat processing in the Department of Agriculture, which is scheduled to repeal on July 1, 2018.  In addition the bill authorizes licensed poultry processors who process more than 1,000 but less than 20,000 birds per year, to sell poultry to retail food establishments and individuals.  Representative Hansen distributed Amendment L.001 [Attachment C], which changes the future sunset review date from September 1, 2031, to September 1, 2023.

Representative Lewis distributed a map of Colorado House District 64, which indicates the location of beef producers in the area [Attachment D]. Committee discussion ensued.

Hollis Glenn, Colorado Department of Agriculture, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Glenn responded to questions from the committee.

Alexander Funk, National Young Farmers Coalition, testified in support of the bill and distributed a letter in support of the bill from Dan Waldvogle of the National Young Farmers Coalition [Attachment E].

Alan Lewis, Natural Grocers, testified in support of the bill.

Bill Midcap, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, testified in support of the bill.

Karen Kalavity, representing herself, testified in a neutral position to the bill and discussed her concerns with the meat processing industry.

Representative Arndt distributed and explained Amendment L.004 [Attachment G] to House Bill 18-1151, which was laid over from earlier in the committee's calendar.  The amendment limits the requirements in the bill to Water Divisions 2 and 3 and the boundaries of the Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District.

Representatives Arndt and Catlin made concluding comments regarding the bill.

Committee discussion ensued.