Date: 01/22/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1034

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved a conceptual amendment to require that speci
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1034 to the Committee
TIE
PASS
TIE



09:51 AM -- House Bill 09-1034

Representative Liston, prime sponsor of House Bill 09-1034, explained the merits of the bill and provided background on regional transportation authorities (RTAs). The legislation would give all existing and future RTAs an additional funding mechanism, limiting the mill levy to no more than five mills. Representative Liston took questions from members of the committee.

09:56 AM -- Representative Fischer stated current challenges in funding RTAs and asked why the bill is limited to property taxes. Representative Liston replied that the figure of five mills was determined by those involved in the development of the legislation. Representative Fischer expressed his willingness to be involved in future discussions on f inance options for RTAs.

10:01 AM - Representative McFadyen asked for witnesses to testify in support or opposition to the bill.

10:01 AM -- Mr. Dan Blankenship, representing the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Blankenship described RFTA, its budget, and its ridership. Voters recently approved tax increases for RFTA. Mr. Blankenship explained that sales taxes are volatile as a revenue source, and that a more reliable revenue source, such as the one proposed in the legislation, would permit debt retirement and encourage more sound operations.

10:09 AM -- Mr. Larry Small, representing the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Small provided background information on PPRTA. PPRTA relies on sales tax revenues. Mr. Small responded to questions from members of the committee on new projects and communities that comprise the authority. Representative Green asked Representative Liston about a potential amendment regarding separate public votes for separate projects. Representative Liston responded that such a requirement could be cumbersome. Mr. Small provided copies of the PPRTA 2007 Annual Report to the committee members (Attachment A). Representative Green expressed concerns that not all citizens may feel that various governmental entities are responsive to citizens' wishes.

090122AttachA.pdf

10:26 AM -- Ms. Sallie Clark, representing El Paso County and the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Clark discussed budget volatility concerns due to sales tax revenue losses. Ms. Clark stated that the legislation would be helpful for smaller communities with fewer residents. Ms. Clark responded to questions from the committee members

10:38 AM -- Ms. Elena Wilken, representing the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies, testified in support of the bill.

10:39 AM -- Mr. Rick Sonnenburg, representing the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA), testified in support of the bill.
BILL:HB09-1034
TIME: 10:41:00 AM
MOVED:Green
MOTION:Moved a conceptual amendment to require that specific, major projects be listed for approval by a vote of the people. The motion failed for lack of a second.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Baumgardner
Excused
Fischer
Frangas
King S.
Excused
Looper
McNulty
Merrifield
Primavera
Vaad
Excused
Green
McFadyen
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 3 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

10:43 AM -- Representative Liston provide closing testimony and asked for an affirmative vote.
BILL:HB09-1034
TIME: 10:46:45 AM
MOVED:Merrifield
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 09-1034 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion carried on a 9-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Looper
VOTE
Baumgardner
Yes
Fischer
Yes
Frangas
Yes
King S.
Yes
Looper
Yes
McNulty
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Vaad
Excused
Green
No
McFadyen
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

10:47 AM -- The committee recessed.