Date: 05/10/2010

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB10-204

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 10-204 to the Committee of the WPASS



12:34 PM -- Senate Bill 10-204

Representative Solano, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 10-204 concerning the penalty for careless driving resulting in death. The bill increases the penalty for careless driving resulting in death from 4 points to 12 points. With some exceptions, a driver's license is suspended for up to 12 months if 12 points or more are accumulated within a 12-month period. Representative Solano read the written testimony of a constituent who lost her husband in an automobile accident.

12:40 PM -- Mark Randall, Colorado District Attorneys' Council, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Randall stated his opinion that careless driving resulting in death cases are some of the hardest cases prosecutors ever have to handle. They are horrifying and devastating, but there is no culpable mental state involved. The current penalty is not sufficient to suspend a driver's license, even for a minor. Mr. Randall stressed that driving a car is a privilege, not a right, and that privilege should be taken away if it is done carelessly. He explained the difference between reckless driving and vehicular homicide. He responded to questions from the committee. The committee discussed the difference between careless and reckless driving.

01:09 PM -- Dan Grunig, Bicycle Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Grunig spoke about the death of bicyclists as a result of careless driving. He stated his opinion that the bill conveys that taking a life as a result of careless driving is a very serious problem.

01:14 PM -- Arlene Patterson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Patterson related details of her experience as the spouse of a man who was killed by a careless driver.

01:16 PM -- Fiona Patterson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Patterson related details of her experience as the daughter of a man who was killed by a careless driver.

BILL:SB10-204
TIME: 01:28:58 PM
MOVED:Court
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 10-204 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. Members of the committee spoke at length about their positions on the bill. The motion passed on a vote of 8-3.
SECONDED:Nikkel
VOTE
Court
Yes
Gardner B.
No
Kagan
Yes
King S.
Yes
Miklosi
Yes
Nikkel
Yes
Pace
No
Ryden
Yes
Waller
No
McCann
Yes
Levy
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS