A bill before the House agriculture committee would remove the State Division of Wildlife from the process of issuing drilling permits for oil and gas wells.

Proponents of H.B. 1255 told the panel Tuesday that efforts to preserve wildlife habitat are interfering with property rights.

But Dave Neslin, the acting director of the Oil and Gas Commission, said the wildlife agency plays only an advisory role in permitting wells. The decision to issue permits is made solely by the Oil and Gas Commission, he said.

Neslin is also assistant director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, the agency that includes the Oil and Gas Commission and the Division of Wildlife.

Several lawmakers, including Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Yuma, the bill sponsor, say the Oil and Gas Commission will be unduly swayed by the wildlife division at the expense of property owners who want to drill on their land.

The agriculture committee votes on the bill today.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Other action

* Educators in at least three Colorado school districts would get tracking numbers as part of a pilot program approved in the House to study questions such as whether poor and minority students are taught by less experienced teachers.

Since all Colorado students now have tracking numbers, the data could be used link individual teachers to the academic achievement of students over many school years.

That step is not part of the pilot program. HB 1065 specifies that data would not be used "to negatively sanction individual educators."

The tracking numbers also would go to principals and other licensed school professionals, such as psychologists and librarians.

* The Senate approved Senate Bill 92, which that would require the state to try to buy motor vehicles that operate on compressed natural gas. Starting in 2010, the state would have to buy vehicles that run on compressed natural gas as long as the cost is within 10 percent of a traditional vehicle.

NEW BILLS

* Increase license fees for sit-down restaurants serving up to 100 people to $255 a year, up from $154 (Senate Bill 223).

* Require that signs warning drivers of traffic cameras be prominently displayed on the right side of the road (Senate Bill 222).