Date: 03/04/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB13-067

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK, & NATURAL RESOURCES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment A). The motion p
Refer Senate Bill 13-067, as amended, to the Commi		Pass Without Objection
PASS



01:35 PM -- Senate Bill 13-067

Representative Vigil, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 13-067. This bill prohibits bicycles on federal land unless the route is authorized, increases the fine for installing unauthorized, or defacing, land management signs from $100 to $150, and increases the penalty for not having a spark arrester on an off-road vehicle on federal public lands from $50 to $150. The statutes for off-road vehicles are set to repeal on July 1, 2013. This bill removes the repeal date, thus making the law permanent.

Staff distributed L.003 (Attachment A) and a fact sheet on the bill from the bill sponsors (Attachment B).

130304 AttachA.pdf130304 AttachA.pdf130304 AttachB.pdf130304 AttachB.pdf

01:36 PM -- Jerry Abboud, Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Abboud discussed how this bill renews the provisions of House Bill 08-1069 and talked about the three essential items contained in this bill. Mr. Abboud answered questions from the committee regarding how different vehicles would be treated under the provisions of this bill. Committee discussion ensued.

01:43 PM -- Tim Brass, Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Brass talked about the great improvements that have been made over the last few years regarding illegal off-road vehicle use and said he would like to see fines made consistent with the federal structure in the future .

01:46 PM -- Steve Bonowski, Colorado Chapter of Conserve America and Colorado Mountain Club, spoke in support of this bill. Mr. Bonowski briefly described the groups he represents and spoke about the importance of off-road vehicle management and of resources to protect Colorado's landscape, wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation economy.

01:47 PM -- Craig Bobzien, United States Forest Service, did not take a position on the bill. Mr. Bobzien discussed the Forest Service's mission and functions and talked about the importance of authorizing peace officers to enforce motorized travel rules on public lands. Mr. Bobzein answered questions from the committee about the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it may be affected by this bill.

01:54 PM -- Tom Morrisey, Department of Natural Resources, did not take a position on the bill. Mr. Morrisey answered questions from the committee regarding how many miles of trails on federal and state lands have off-highway vehicle access, the number of citations and warnings distributed in past years, how this bill would be enforced on trails, how restitution is managed, and bicycle restrictions.

02:02 PM -- Mr. Bobzein returned to the table and answered questions from the committee regarding restitution and fine caps.


BILL:SB13-067
TIME: 02:03:55 PM
MOVED:Vigil
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Lebsock
VOTE
Buck
Coram
Garcia
Lebsock
McLachlan
McNulty
Mitsch Bush
Rankin
Rosenthal
Excused
Saine
Sonnenberg
Vigil
Fischer
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:SB13-067
TIME: 02:05:04 PM
MOVED:Vigil
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 13-067, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 7-5 with one excused.
SECONDED:McLachlan
VOTE
Buck
Excused
Coram
No
Garcia
Yes
Lebsock
Yes
McLachlan
Yes
McNulty
No
Mitsch Bush
Yes
Rankin
No
Rosenthal
Yes
Saine
No
Sonnenberg
No
Vigil
Yes
Fischer
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 5 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS