Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Date:03/10/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:39 PM to 03:31 PM
Kopp
X
Renfroe
X
Place:SCR 352
Romer
X
Spence
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Veiga
X
Senator Gibbs
Williams
X
Gibbs
X
This Report was prepared by
Geoff Johnson
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Conf 09-Colorado Aeronautical Board
HB09-1236
HB09-1100
HB09-1234
Recommended
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to Appropriations
Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:40 PM

Senator Gibbs, Chairman, called the meeting to order.

01:40 PM -- Confirmations - Colorado Aeronautical Board

Joseph Thibodeau, Denver, commented on his appointment to the Colorado Aeronautical Board. The Governor's letter making the two appointments to the Aeronautical Board and the resumes of the two appointees are attached (Attachment A). Mr. Thibodeau said that he is an attorney, and that he has a passion for aviation. He said that his father was an aeronautical engineer and that he has been an active pilot for 40 years. He noted that he has served on the Aeronautical Board for one year, during which he filled an unexpired term.

090310AttachA.pdf

01:43 PM -- Dennis Heap, Commerce City, commented on his appointment to the Colorado Aeronautical Board. He spoke of his career in aviation, and noted that he is seeking a second term on the board. He commented on the impact of the economy on aviation in Colorado. He said that he believes that the infrastructure at Colorado's airports is "strong." He noted that much of general aviation is flying for business purposes. He commented on jobs in Colorado that result from general aviation activities.
BILL:Confirmations - Colorado Aeronautical Board
TIME: 01:57:09 PM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Moved that the confirmation of Dennis Heap and Joseph Thibodeau to the Colorado Aeronautical Board be recommended to the full Senate. The motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Kopp
Yes
Renfroe
Yes
Romer
Yes
Spence
Yes
Veiga
Yes
Williams
Yes
Gibbs
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:57 PM -- House Bill 09-1236

Senator Hodge, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1236, concerning the distance at which an operator of a motor vehicle shall stop when a school bus signals a stop. She commented on current Colorado law relating to stopping behind buses. She said that House Bill 09-1236 will add the specific requirement that cars must stop at least 20 feet behind a bus that has stopped. She noted other jurisdictions that have such limits for the stopping distance behind buses.

The following persons testified in regard to House Bill 09-1236:

02:02 PM --
Kathy Windt, representing Adams 12 School District, commented on how House Bill 09-1236 will improve the safety of school children. She said that motorists are generally unaware of appropriate stopping distances near school buses.

02:07 PM -- Bill Suedkamp, representing Adams 12 School District, commented on means by which school bus drivers can keep children safe.

02:12 PM --
Bobby Jochum, representing the Colorado State Patrol, said that the Patrol has not studied an appropriate stopping distance behind school buses. He said that he consulted with Senator Hodge in regard to House Bill 09-1236.
BILL:HB09-1236
TIME: 02:16:24 PM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Moved that House Bill 09-1236 be referred to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Kopp
Yes
Renfroe
Yes
Romer
Yes
Spence
Yes
Veiga
Yes
Williams
Yes
Gibbs
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:21 PM -- House Bill 09-1100

Senator Tochtrop, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1100, concerning the creation of an "Alive at 25" special license plate.

The following persons testified in regard to House Bill 09-1100:

02:23 PM --
Wayne Tully, representing the Colorado Driver Education Association, commented on driver education in Colorado. He said that creation of the proposed license plate may present a conflict of interest. He opposed House Bill 09-1100 and commented on efforts by the Colorado State Patrol to encourage donations to "Alive at 25."

02:43 PM --
John Anderson, Deputy Director, Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation, said that his organization applied for this special group license plate and is a nonprofit organization. He described the "Alive at 25" program to the committee, and said that the program provides discounted educational services to eligible young persons.

02:53 PM --
Mark Couch, representing the Colorado Department of Revenue, said that the referral letters relating to donations to "Alive at 25" have been removed from driver's license offices in the state. He noted that the Denver Broncos license plate includes a donation to the Denver Broncos Foundation as an eligibility requirement. He said that there are numerous precedents for special plates that require a donation in order to qualify for the plate.

03:02 PM --
Mr. Anderson, returned to the table, and said that there is only one other organization in Colorado providing "Alive at 25" training. He said that the foundation has been offering its program since 2004, and that the State Patrol teaches the program. He said that it is at the discretion of judges whether to order donations to a nonprofit program. He said that Colorado courts have a statutory obligation to provide education to minors who have certain traffic violations.





03:08 PM --
Bobby Jochem, representing the Colorado State Patrol, said that the "Alive at 25" program was initiated by the National Safety Council. He noted that the State Patrol has not sanctioned the distribution of any form encouraging donations to "Alive at 25."
BILL:HB09-1100
TIME: 03:16:42 PM
MOVED:Veiga
MOTION:Moved that House Bill 09-1100 be referred to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 5-2-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Kopp
No
Renfroe
No
Romer
Yes
Spence
Yes
Veiga
Yes
Williams
Yes
Gibbs
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:17 PM -- House Bill 09-1234

Senator Tochtrop, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1234, concerning the immediate suspension of the drivers license of a person who fails to appear for a license suspension hearing. She commented on the suspension of drivers licenses under Colorado law. She noted that House Bill 09-1234 eliminates certain notification requirements for suspension hearings.

The following person testified in regard to House Bill 09-1234:

03:20 PM --
Stephen Hooper, representing the Colorado Department of Revenue, supported House Bill 09-1234. He said that Colorado law provides that persons subject to the suspension of a drivers license are notified of hearings relating to the license, but that these hearings may be postponed in some cases. He said that the Colorado Administrative Procedures Act requires a hearing prior to the taking of any action against a drivers license.
BILL:HB09-1234
TIME: 03:30:12 PM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Moved that House Bill 09-1234 be referred to the Committee of the Whole, and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Kopp
Yes
Renfroe
Yes
Romer
Yes
Spence
Yes
Veiga
Yes
Williams
Yes
Gibbs
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:31 PM

The committee meeting adjourned.