Senate Committee on Transportation (02/05/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Date:	02/05/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:07 AM to 11:22 AM	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:
SB09-092 SB09-133		Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to Finance

10:07 AM

Senator Gibbs, Chairman, called the meeting to order.

10:07 AM -- Senate Bill 09-092

Senator Kopp, prime sponosr, presented Senate Bill 09-092, concerning the requirement that state-owned motor vehicles operate on compressed natural gas. He noted that Senate Bill 09-092 will allow the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in the state motor vehicle fleet when this makes economic sense. He commented on the dependence of the United States economy on oil and gasoline. He discussed the reliance of the Uunited States on unfriendly states for oil. He said that 90 percent of U.S. transportation is dependent on petroleum. He commented on the environmental benefits of using natural gas in vehicles, and said that the fuel is safe and clean.

The following person commented on Senate Bill 09-092:

10:22 AM -- Becky Brooks, representing the Colorado Corn Growers Association, opposed Senate Bill 09-092, and said that the state doesn't currently have the infrastructure to distribute this fuel.


BILL:	SB09-092
TIME:	10:36:09 AM
MOVED:	Romer
MOTION:	Moved that Senate Bill 09-092 be referred to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 6-1-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Kopp	Yes
	Renfroe	Yes
	Romer	Yes
	Spence	Yes
	Veiga	Yes
	Williams	No
	Gibbs	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

10:36 AM -- Senate Bill 09-133

Senator Spence, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 09-133, concerning increased surcharges for traffic violations that apply the moneys collected to the Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund (TBITF). She commented on the history of the trust fund and noted current revenue sources for the fund. She said that Senate Bill 09-133 will generate approximately $730,000 for the fund in its first year. She spoke of the increase in soldiers returning to Colorado who have suffered traumatic brain injuries.
The following persons testified in regard to Senate Bill 09-133:

10:42 AM -- Kenny Hosack, representing the Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Board of Directors, said that the board supports Senate Bill 09-133. He commented on his involvement with treating these injuries over the last few decades. He said that there is a stigma attached to this injury and that it receives insufficient attention from the public. He said that, at present, only 7 percent of persons treated with funds from the TBITF are former military. He noted that the fund also supports educational efforts and research. He commented on the growing backlog of persons seeking treatment for brain injuries and said that the new funding would help eliminate the current backlog of 250 persons within one year. He said that it is appropriate for persons convicted of driving infractions to bear the costs of treatment for persons with brain injuries.

10:54 AM -- Nancy Smith, Director, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Human Services, responded to committee questions.

11:02 AM -- Bill Levis, representing the Brain Injury Association of Colorado, said that March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and noted that he is the father of a child with a severe brain injury. He spoke of the extensive waiting list for these services, and supported Senate Bill 09-133.

11:04 AM -- LaDell Dudley, representing Denver Options, spoke of her experience with a brain injury and the time that she spent on a waiting list prior to receiving services. She noted that her injury resulted in a loss of part of her memory and partial loss of her vision.

11:08 AM -- Nadine Lund, representing the Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund, spoke of her daughter's experience with brain injury and the accident that resulted in her injury. She commented on financial support provided by the trust fund for her daughter. She asked the committee to support Senate Bill 09-133.


BILL:	SB09-133
TIME:	11:21:23 AM
MOVED:	Spence
MOTION:	Moved that Senate Bill 09-133 be referred to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a 5-1-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Kopp	Excused
	Renfroe	No
	Romer	Yes
	Spence	Yes
	Veiga	Yes
	Williams	Yes
	Gibbs	Yes

Final YES: 5 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:22 AM

The committee meeting adjourned.