Many critically important environmental bills cover a wide range issues outside the top priorities of the conservation com unity. Here are these key bills from the 2012 session.
House Bill 1003 – Authorize Graywater Use - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment LOSS
Colorado currently only allows graywater to be used by residents with private septic systems. This bill would allow businesses and those under municipal water systems to utilize graywater. Sponsored by Representative Fischer and Senator Nicholson. YES is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1028 – Continue Low-income Energy-related Assistance - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Signed by Governor – Environment WIN
Extends existing funding for energy bill and efficiency improvements for low-income Coloradoans. Sponsored by Representative Gerou and Senator Steadman. YES is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1032 – Continue Forest Restoration Programs 5 Years - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Signed by Governor – Environment WIN
Extends existing re-forestation programs for the next five years. Sponsored by Representative Hamner and Senator Nicholson. YES is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1050 – Extend Nongame & Endangered Wildlife Tax Checkoff - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Signed by Governor – Environment WIN
Extends existing checkoff on state income tax forms for donations to the non-game and endangered wildlife fund. Sponsored by Representative Wilson and Senator Nicholson. YES is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1083 – Continue Environmental Agriculture Program Fees - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Signed by Governor – Environment WIN
Maintains the current system of fines for water pollution stemming from feedlot and hog farm operations. Sponsored by Representative Sonnenberg and Senator Schwartz. YES is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1103 – Exclude Clean Counties From Enhanced Emission Area - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment WIN
Allows county commissioners to exclude portions of their county from existing motor vehicle emissions regulations under certain criteria. Sponsored by Representative Vaad. NO is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1122 – Medication Take-back Divert From Water Disposal - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment LOSS
Creates local medication disposal programs, diverting medications from landfills and our water supplies. Sponsored by Representative Wilson. YES is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1136 - Prohibit Use Of Public Land For Retail Sales - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment WIN
Bans the use of any public land for retail use which could keep future electric vehicle charging stations out of RTD stations, Mile High Stadium, state parks and other public areas. Sponsored by Representative Ramirez and Senator Roberts. NO is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1161 – Nutrients Scientific Advisory Bd Water Quality - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment WIN
Delays implementation of nutrient level limits designed to keep animal and and human waste out of our drinking water. Sponsored by Representative Looper and Senator King. NO is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1174 - Prohibit Sale Children’s Products Containing BPA - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment LOSS
Creates a ban of the sale of new children’s products – defined as as pacifiers and empty containers for food – that contain BPA. Sponsored by Representative Kagan. YES is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1235 – Energy Efficient Public Schools - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment LOSS
Requires new school building and significant remodel projects to met Energy Star certification. Sponsored by Representative Kerr and Senator Johnston. YES is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1320 - Energy-related Assistance Low-income Households - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment WIN
Repeals the Governor’s Energy Office’s program for providing home energy efficiency improvements for low-income households. Sponsored by Representative Acree. NO is the pro-environment vote.
House Bill 1322 – Require Federal Government to Sell Agricultural Land - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment WIN
Requires the federal government to sell any federal lands in Colorado that could be determined to have an agricultural purpose. As almost any land could be deemed to have some agricultural value, this bill could result in the sell-off of nearly all federal land in the state. Sponsored by Representative Sonnenberg and Senator Scheffel. NO is the pro-environment vote.
Senate Bill 009 – Consolidate Division of Water Resources - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Sent to Governor – Environment WIN
Encourages efficiency by combining several existing Division of Water Resources funds into one account. Sponsored by Senator Hodge and Representative Swerdfeger. YES is the pro-environment vote.
Senate Bill 017 – Prohibit Water Quality Standards Registering Nutrients - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status – Postponed Indefinitely – Environment WIN
Would prohibit water quality regulations from addressing phosphorus and nitrogen pollution caused primarily by animal and human waste. Sponsored by Senator King. NO is the pro-environment vote.
Senate Bill 088 – Preempt Local Regulation Of Oil & Gas Operations - Full Text of Bill – Bill Details and Votes
Status - Postponed Indefinitely – Environment WIN
Prohibits local governments from any attempt to regulate oil and gas development within their jurisdiction. Sponsored by Senator Harvey. NO is the pro-environment vote.