Randy Fischer

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Randy Fischer
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 53rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office  January 10, 2007
Preceded by	Angie Paccione
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Kathy
Profession	Engineer

Randy Fischer (born c. 1951^[1]) is a Colorado legislator. First elected as a Democrat in 2006 to the Colorado House of Representatives, Fischer represents House District 53, which encompasses the western half of Fort Collins, Colorado.^[2]

Contents 1 Biography 2 Legislative career 2.1 2006 election 2.2 2007 legislative session 2.3 2008 legislative session 2.4 2008 election 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Biography

A third-generation Coloradan^[3] born and raised in Fort Collins,^[4] Fischer attended Colorado State University, earning a bachelor's degree in natural resource management in 1976.^[1] Upon graduation, he was named Outstanding Graduating Senior for the College of Natural Resources;^[5] he later served on the CSU College of Natural Resources Alumni Board.^[4] He went on to earn a master's degree in civil engineering from Colorado State in 1989.^[1]

During his time at CSU, he worked for the Poudre School District's Outdoor Education Program, and has since worked in the fields of construction, and agriculture,^[4] including a stint as a professional beekeeper. He currently runs an engineering consulting firm, specializing in abandoned mine cleanup and acid mine drainage.^[5]

Fischer served on a number of local boards and commissions, primarily dealing with natural resources and land use issues, including the Larimer County Rural Land Use Advisory Board, the City of Fort Collins' Water Board, Storm Drainage Board, Natural Resources Advisory Board, and City Plan Update Committee, and on the board of the Legacy Land Trust. His wife, Kathy, is a former high school teacher; they have lived in Fort Collins for over 30 years.^[4]

[edit] Legislative career

Bills Introduced in 2007 by Rep. Fischer (for which Rep. Fischer is the primary originating sponsor)
BILL	TITLE	OUTCOME
HB07-1051	Concerning the notice sent by a county treasurer to a taxpayer for unpaid property taxes.	Signed by Gov. Ritter
HB07-1096	Concerning the funding of the Colorado Water Resources Research Institute [...]	Signed by Gov. Ritter
HB07-1197	Concerning the authority of a county to abate conditions that contribute to a violation of a general stormwater quality permit [...]	Signed by Gov. Ritter
HB07-1203	Concerning grants administered by the governor's office of energy management and conservation regarding energy.	Signed by Gov. Ritter
HB07-1328	Concerning the establishment of educational programs regarding water pollution from storm run-off.	Signed by Gov. Ritter

[edit] 2006 election

After having worked on campaigns for Fort Collins city council and the Larimer County Board of Commissioners, Fischer first ran for public office in 2006, seeking the legislative seat being vacated by Congressional candidate Agnie Paccione.^[5] He took 59 percent of the vote in a four-way race against Republican Anne Yeldell, Libertarian Mark Brophy, and Constitution Party candidate Darren Morrison.^[6]

[edit] 2007 legislative session

In the 2007 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Fischer sits on the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee and the House Education Committee. ^[7].

Shortly after his election, Fischer identified "education, health care and renewable energy" as his top legislative priorities.^[8] During the 2007 session, Fischer sponsored legislation which would allow counties to enforce stormwater regulations.^[9]

Following the regular session, Fischer served on the legislature's interim committee on allocation of severance tax and federal mineral lease revenues.^[3][10]

[edit] 2008 legislative session

In the 2008 session of the Colorado General Assembly, Fischer sits on the House Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Resources Committee and the House Education Committee. ^[11] In the 2008 legislative session, Fischer plans to sponsor legislation to direct severance tax revenue to the Colorado departments of Wildlife and Parks and Recreation.^[12] Fischer has also sponsored a bill to expand funding for the Colorado Water Resources Research Institute and to create a statewide collaboratory for water-related research.^[13] He has also introduced legislation designed to protect instream water rights for users who choose to let water flow downstream rather than be diverted,^[14] which was passed and signed into law by Gov. Ritter.^[15]

Another bill, requiring vehicle registration and emissions testing for mobile diesel equipment, including farm and construction vehicles,^[16] was opposed by farmers, contractors, and local governments, and was stripped of penalties for noncompliance in committee. In response, Fischer proposed a revised version of the legislation which would use registration fees to create a fund for replacement of polluting vehicles with cleaner vehicles.^[17]

Together with Rep. John Kefalas and other northern Colorado legislators, Fischer has sponsored two bills to regulate uranium mining, in response to proposed mining activity in northern Colorado;^[18][19] the legislation has been opposed by mining companies.^[20] After some amendment, one of these bills, strengthening water quality requirements, passed the state legislature;^[21][22][23] another measure, which would have created stronger public disclosure requirements for mining operations, was killed in committee,^[24] but later revived in the state senate.^[25]

[edit] 2008 election

Fischer announced his bid for re-election to the state legislature in January 2008.^[26] He faces a challenge from Republican Donna Gallup in the November 2008 general election.^[27]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Colorado General Assembly profile
• Campaign website
• MySpace page