The bill strengthens existing legal protections under the federal 'Volunteer Protection Act of 1997' and Colorado's 'Volunteer Service Act' for individual volunteers and nonprofit entities who build or maintain recreational trails and related facilities pursuant to grants received under Colorado's 'Recreational Trails System Act of 1971'. Specifically, the bill: Establishes either gross negligence or willful and wanton conduct as the minimum basis for liability, depending on whether the subject is an individual volunteer, a nonprofit entity, or a director, officer, or trustee of a nonprofit entity; Prohibits a grant agreement or procurement contract from requiring a nonprofit entity or volunteer to obtain insurance coverage for liability arising from completed operations; and Extends qualified immunity to a volunteer who operates a motor vehicle, including an off-highway vehicle or snowmobile, as part of a land stewardship activity.(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
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The bill creates a group under the commissioner of agriculture to study the feasability of including hemp products in animal feed. The group includes a hemp producer, a hemp processor, a legal expert, a person from an institution of higher education who has studied hemp policy, a veterinarian, a livestock producer, and any other person the commissioner determines would facilitate understanding the legal, practical, or business considerations. The group will make recommendations by December 31, 2017. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
Water Resources Review Committee. Section 8 of the bill restructures the fee that the state engineer may charge for rating certain types of water infrastructure from $25 per day plus actual expenses incurred in determining the rating to a flat fee of $75. Section 1 specifies the location of the state engineer's office as within the capitol complex. Section 2 permits the state engineer to use new technology that can accomplish the same functions as satellite or telemetry-based monitoring systems and is more cost effective. The bill repeals certain requirements as follows: In sections 1, 4, and 11 , the requirement that certain officials take an oath and post bond; In section 8, certain fee requirements; and In section 14 , the requirement that the state engineer survey, lay out, and locate a ditch or canal along the Arkansas river. Section 16 increases the amount of time for filing comments on a substitute water supply plan from 30 days after the state engineer mails the notice to 35 days after mailing the notice. The bill updates language within the statutes related to the state engineer and the division of water resources. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)
Statutory Revision Committee. Pursuant to section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), Colorado Revised Statutes, any report that is required to be made to the general assembly by an executive agency or the judicial branch on a periodic basis expires on the day after the third anniversary of the date on which the first report was due unless the general assembly, acting by bill, continues the requirement. The bill addresses reporting requirements of the department of public health and environment. Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 12, and 15 of the bill continue indefinitely the reporting requirements contained in those statutory sections. Sections 2 to 5, 9, 10, 11, and 13 repeal reports that are or were scheduled to repeal according to section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I). Currently there are no repeal dates listed in the organic statute. Section 14 adds a repeal date in the organic statute that coincides with the scheduled repeal date specified in section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I). (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)