Date: 02/05/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-133

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved that Senate Bill 09-133 be referred to the CPASS


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.