Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires commissioners on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to disclose information and specify potential conflicts of interest.

Highlights:

• Requires each commissioner on the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to annually disclose certain information including, but not limited to, the following information (Sec. 2):
• The identity of each operator and oil and gas service company of which the commissioner is an employee, officer, or director, or has a financial interest;
• The nature of the commissioner’s financial interest and position and duties with each operator or oil and gas service company; and
• A listing of each such operator’s or oil and gas service company’s business interests in Colorado.

• Specifies that a commissioner has a potential conflict of interest with regard to a matter before the Commission if certain circumstances apply including, but not limited to, the following circumstances, or if there is “an appearance of impropriety due to the reasonable belief” that (Sec. 4):
• The commissioner has a direct or “substantial” financial interest in an operator or oil and gas service company involved in the matter;
• The commissioner is not capable of judging the matter “fairly”; or
• The commissioner has an interest that “prejudices” that commissioner’s ability to participate objectively in the matter.

• Requires the commissioner who has a potential conflict of interest with regard to a matter to disclose that potential conflict, and authorizes the commissioner to withdraw from participation in the matter (Sec. 4).

• Requires the remaining commissioners to vote on whether a commissioner who has disclosed a potential conflict should withdraw from participation in the matter (Sec. 4).

• Specifies that the prevention of waste and the protection of landowner groundwater rights does not supersede regulation by the Commission of the impacts of oil and gas exploration or production on public health, safety, and welfare or the environment (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text