Bill Summary for Bill Number SB09-108

Date: 01/27/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-108

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved a conceptual amendment that provisions relat Moved a conceptual amendment that the $2 rental ca Moved that Senate Bill 09-108 be referred to the C	FAIL FAIL PASS

03:30 PM

Senator Gibbs, Chairman, called the meeting to order.

03:30 PM -- Senate Bill 09-108

Senator Gibbs, prime sponsor, commented on Senate Bill 09-108. He said that Senate Bill 09-108 will stimulate the Colorado economy, address transportation construction needs, initiate mileage-based transportation revenue pilot programs, and support multi-modal projects. He said that Senate Bill 09-108 will create thousands of jobs in Colorado, and will bring additional revenue to the state. He noted that the fees generated by Senate Bill 09-108 would be phased in over a two-year time frame and that Senate Bill 09-108 authorizes the use of certificates of participation for transportation purposes. He commented on the potential of Senate Bill 09-108 to create jobs in Colorado and on the condition of Colorado's bridges.

The following persons testified on Senate Bill 09-108:

03:35 PM -- Nancy McNally, representing the Denver Regional Council of Governments, said that her board has not yet taken a position on Senate Bill 09-108. She said that she supports the idea of fee-sharing with local governments contained in Senate Bill 09-108. She said that the "I-70 viaduct project" should be funded through Senate Bill 09-108. She suggested that the boards created in Senate Bill 09-108 should include representation from the Denver metropolitan area.

03:43 PM -- Harold Naber, Falcon, representing automobile collectors in Colorado, commented on the Horseless Carriage license plate available to car collectors in the state. He said that the proposed registration fees in Senate Bill 09-108 would be onerous on car collectors and asked that these plates be excluded from imposition of additional fees.

03:47 PM -- Nancy Sharpe, representing the Metro Mayors Conference, said that transportation is a priority of the conference, and that the conference has concerns regarding the tolling of existing roads.

03:50 PM -- Bob Murphy, Mayor, Lakewood, said that he is happy to see the General Assembly acting quickly on the issue of transportation. He expressed concern with the eligibility of transportation projects for funding under Senate Bill 09-108, and said that there should be local government representation on boards created in Senate Bill 09-108. He said that tolling revenues should be retained within the corridor in which the tolls are generated under Senate Bill 09-108, and commented on the impact of tolling on local roads. He said that localities should be involved in the approval of any new tolling.

03:53 PM -- Mayor Ed Tauer, Mayor of Aurora, said that he appreciates the attention that is being given to transportation by the General Assembly. He expressed concern with the potential for tolling along the Front Range to subsidize transportation construction in other parts of the state.

03:59 PM -- Jane Hylen, Manager, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, commented on the proposed two dollar per day fee on rental cars in Senate Bill 09-108. She said that much of this fee will be paid by Colorado residents. She commented on the current tax burden borne by the rental car industry, and said that the fee would result in heavy taxation of the industry.

04:03 PM -- Bradley High, representing National Car Rental and Alamo Car Rental, opposed the proposed rental car tax. He commented on the difficult economic times in his industry. He said that the Colorado Constitution protects residents of the state from the imposition of taxes without an opportunity to vote on the proposal.

04:06 PM -- Greg Fulton, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, said that his organization has been involved in seeking a solution for the state's transportation problems. He opposed the tolling of existing roads in the state, and said that this tolling would increase the costs of goods and services in Colorado. He opposed the proposed indexing of registration fees and noted that truckers operate on a small profit margin. He expressed concerns with the administrative costs of Senate Bill 09-108, and commented on oversize and overweight vehicle fees in Senate Bill 09-108. He expressed concern with the proposed pilot program that would consider generating revenue based on vehicle miles traveled. He also said that the current United States Transportation Secretary does not support the tolling of existing highways.

04:17 PM -- Dan Coleman, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, asked that the committee postpone voting on Senate Bill 09-108 until next week. He said that Colorado has relatively high fees on the trucking industry and that these fees have driven trucking companies to other states. He opposed the tolling of existing highways in Colorado.

04:28 PM -- Melissa Kuipers, representing the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, said that her organization supports the intent of Senate Bill 09-108 and that she opposes the proposed car rental fees in Senate Bill 09-108.

04:30 PM -- Jacob Smith, Mayor, Golden, said that transportation is the most pressing problem in the state and that he opposes Senate Bill 09-108 in its current form. He said that the City of Golden has been asked to absorb a new highway through their community. He expressed concerns with the proposed tolling of existing roads, and noted that most toll roads fail to generate projected revenues. He said that he would like to see sufficient protections put in Senate Bill 09-108 for local governments that might be impacted by tolling. He said that local governments should have a meaningful seat at the table when tolls are approved.

04:39 PM -- Joe Blake, President, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, said that Senate Bill 09-108 provides stable and reasonable sources of funding to address safety and maintenance problems in the state's transportation system. He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A). He said that the Chamber supports Senate Bill 09-108, and that 64 percent of his membership has stated support for additional fees for bridge safety in a recent poll. He commented on the ability of the proposed legislation to create jobs in the state. He said that there is a clear nexus between the proposed fees and the safety of bridges in Colorado. He said that new funding sources should be implemented in the next two state budget cycles.

04:52 PM -- Joe Kiley, Vice President, Ports-to-Plains Coalition, said that Senate Bill 09-108 will provide economic benefits to rural Colorado. He said that Senate Bill 09-108 will provide a sustainable funding source and asked for the committee's support.

04:56 PM -- Henry Sobanet, representing the City and County of Denver, noted that the city is reducing its budget by hundreds of millions of dollars. He said that there is no question that additional resources are needed, and that the public should expect a deterioration in the level of service without new resources. He said that the state is experiencing "17 years of catch up" in regard to transportation funding.

05:02 PM -- Mark Mehalko, representing MOVE Colorado, supported Senate Bill 09-108 and said that the need for Senate Bill 09-108 is clear. He said that Senate Bill 09-108 will stimulate the economy and provide for leveraging of resources under public-private partnerships.

05:06 PM -- Dr. Florine Raitano, representing the I-70 Corridor Coalition, said that Senate Bill 09-108 will create a flexible and sustainable revenue stream for transportation in the state. She said that the Coalition supports Senate Bill 09-108 and that proposed mileage-based revenue streams would be a "nod to the future."

05:12 PM -- Bruce Prommersberger, representing MOVE Colorado, supported Senate Bill 09-108 and commented on bridge safety in the state. He noted that Colorado's gas tax has not been raised since the 1990s.

05:14 PM -- Don Clem, representing cement manufacturers, commented on employment in his industry, and said that he expects a dramatic decline in this employment. He asked for the committee's support for Senate Bill 09-108.

05:18 PM -- Tom Pederson, representing the Colorado Asphalt Association, commented on the impact of the economic downturn on his industry and said that a 20 percent drop in business is expected this year. He said that Senate Bill 09-108 will create 3,000 to 5,000 jobs in his industry.

05:21 PM -- Bill Kaufman, Loveland, representing the Colorado Transportation Commission, supported Senate Bill 09-108. He noted that the commission is a bi-partisan group, and said that the commission is aware of the transportation needs of the state. He said that reconstruction of the I-70 corridor will require billions of dollars of investment. He said that the transportation budget has not increased in a decade and that CDOT cannot meet its mission with its current budget.

05:24 PM -- Doug Aden, representing the Colorado Transportation Commission, said that Senate Bill 09-108 is a step toward implementing the recommendations of the Governor's Transportation Finance and Implementation Panel. He said that the citizens of the state need a modern transportation system and that CDOT can no longer do its job with available resources.

05:27 PM -- Joseph Bodey, representing the Colorado Contractors Association, supported Senate Bill 09-108. He commented on the loss of 40,000 jobs in his industry in Colorado in the last year, and said that Senate Bill 09-108 will create up to 10,000 jobs in the state next year.

05:28 PM -- Tony Milo, representing the Colorado Contractors Association, thanked Senator Gibbs for introducing Senate Bill 09-108.

05:28 PM -- Cathy Garcia, President, Action 22, said that Senate Bill 09-108 will provide stable funding for transportation infrastructure and supported the bill.

05:30 PM -- Kevin O'Malley, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., said that the current generation must address the transportation problem rather than pushing off this responsibility for future generations.

05:31 PM -- Stephanie Thomas, representing the Colorado Environmental Coalition, supported the Senate Bill 09-108 and, in particular, its emphasis on public safety. She said that a modern revenue source is needed for the transportation system.

05:34 PM -- Harry Dale, representing the I-70 Corridor Coalition, said that Senate Bill 09-108 brings forth many of the coalition's recommendations to the General Assembly.

05:35 PM -- Bill Elfenben, Denver, representing himself, supported Senate Bill 09-108.

05:37 PM -- Ann Rajewski, representing the Colorado Association of Transit Agencies, supported Senate Bill 09-108 and its provision of resources for transit.

05:37 PM -- Tony Marcello, Wheat Ridge, representing himself, supported Senate Bill 09-108.

05:39 PM -- Russell George, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Transportation, said that he is heartened by the broad support for Senate Bill 09-108. He commented on the potential work of boards created under Senate Bill 09-108.


BILL:	SB09-108
TIME:	05:48:33 PM
MOVED:	Spence
MOTION:	Moved a conceptual amendment that provisions relating to the vehicle miles traveled concept be removed from Senate Bill 09-108. The motion failed on a 3-4-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Kopp	Yes
	Renfroe	Yes
	Romer	No
	Spence	Yes
	Veiga	No
	Williams	No
	Gibbs	No



Not Final YES: 3 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	SB09-108
TIME:	06:16:30 PM
MOVED:	Renfroe
MOTION:	Moved a conceptual amendment that the $2 rental car fee be removed from Senate Bill 09-108. The motion failed on a 3-4-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Kopp	Yes
	Renfroe	Yes
	Romer	No
	Spence	Yes
	Veiga	No
	Williams	No
	Gibbs	No




Not Final YES: 3 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:	SB09-108
TIME:	06:18:43 PM
MOVED:	Gibbs
MOTION:	Moved that Senate Bill 09-108 be referred to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a 4-3-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Kopp	No
	Renfroe	No
	Romer	Yes
	Spence	No
	Veiga	Yes
	Williams	Yes
	Gibbs	Yes

Final YES: 4 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

06:19 PM

The committee meeting recessed.