House committee advances draft to sunset Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee

The House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee voted to introduce a draft bill that would implement a recommendation to sunset the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee.

Brian Tobias, director of the Colorado Office of Policy Research and Regulatory Reform, told the committee the advisory body, created in 2016 and housed in the Division of Professions and Occupations under the State Board of Pharmacy, had met just five times and reviewed 14 cases over its 10-year existence. Tobias said the committee had no revenues or expenditures in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and recommended sunsetting the advisory committee. "Our recommendation is to sunset the advisory committee," he said.

Josh Schultz of the Office of Legislative Legal Services explained that title 2 advisory reviews are shorter and limited to whether an advisory committee has accomplished its purpose; if the committee recommends continuation, OLLS drafts a bill consistent with the report's recommendations. The chair confirmed that, should a need arise, the pharmacy board could retain outside expertise without continuing the advisory committee.

Representative Morrow moved to introduce the draft bill; Representative Lindsay seconded. The clerk conducted a roll call and the motion passed unanimously. The chair designated Representative Lindsay and Representative Zukla as sponsors, and several members volunteered as cosponsors.

Next steps: if the committee approves introduction, OLLS will place the draft on bill paper and the measure will enter the normal legislative process for consideration in subsequent committee and floor action.