House Committee on Transportation & Energy (03/19/2014)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Date:	03/19/2014	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:30 PM to 04:14 PM	Buck	X
		Coram	X
Place:	HCR 0112	Fischer	X
		Ginal	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Kraft-Tharp	X
	Representative Tyler	Lawrence	X
		Lee	X
This Report was prepared by		Mitsch Bush	X
	Kelli Kelty	Peniston	X
		Scott	X
		Sonnenberg	X
		Moreno	*
		Tyler	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB14-131 SB14-028 HB14-1301		Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to the Committee of the Whole Amended, Referred to Appropriations

01:30 PM -- SB 14-131

Representative Tyler, chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was present. Representative Wright, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 14-131. The bill repeals the requirement that a motor vehicle registration card contain the vehicle owner's address and signature, unless the vehicle is registered as Class A personal property. The bill also requires that vehicle owners either sign a statement of vehicle non-use, or provide proof of insurance when registering the vehicle. Representative Wright discussed the intent of the bill. Representative Moreno asked what the justification is in continuing Class A under the bill. Representative Ginal asked if motor vehicle registration can be used as an official proof of identification when people register to vote. Representative Coram asked about theft of registration cards from vehicles and the risk of duplication of signatures. Representative Kraft-Tharp commented on the bill and her concerns related to voter registration. Representative Fischer asked what the impetus is behind the bill and if there is any data on the number of cases related to vehicle theft. Representative Wright said that the bill is a preventative measure that seeks to protect that information on the vehicle registration card and ensure that people aren't victimized by the use of the information. Discussion ensued concerning the intent of the bill.

01:47 PM -- Kurt Morrison, representing the Department of Transportation (CDOT), came to the table to respond to questions from the committee concerning the intent of the bill. He said that CDOT has no issues with the bill.

01:49 PM -- Tony Anderson, representing the Department of Revenue, responded to questions from the committee. He said that the bill would not change the way that the department does business.


BILL:	SB14-131
TIME:	01:50:47 PM
MOVED:	Sonnenberg
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 14-131 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-2.
SECONDED:	Buck
		VOTE
	Buck	Yes
	Coram	Yes
	Fischer	No
	Ginal	No
	Kraft-Tharp	Yes
	Lawrence	Yes
	Lee	Yes
	Mitsch Bush	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Scott	Yes
	Sonnenberg	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Tyler	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:52 PM -- SB 14-028

Representatives Duran and Tyler, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 14-028. This reengrossed bill expands the list of eligible entities that may receive grants from the Electric Vehicle Grant Fund to include private nonprofit and for-profit corporations, state agencies, public universities, and public transit agencies. The bill requires the Colorado Energy Office (CEO), as administrator of the grant fund, to prioritize grant applications based on the extent to which proposed charging stations serve existing electric vehicles, or encourage the acquisition of additional electric vehicles. The CEO must also consider the extent to which, without the grant, one or more charging stations might not be able to be installed. The bill authorizes the CEO to grant the full cost of an installation in a location that is especially advantageous for supporting the electric vehicle market, but where revenue may not be available to defray the costs of installation. Representative Tyler discussed the intent of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee concerning charging stations.

The following people testified on the bill:

02:00 PM -- Neal Kemkar, representing the CEO, testified in support of the bill. He said that the bill is a practical measure and that CEO will not require any additional resources to administer the fund. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:09 PM -- Will Toor, representing the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:15 PM -- Chris Votoupal, representing the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, testified in support of the bill. He said that they support the flexibility that the bill provides to the CEO.

02:17 PM -- Bob Wilson, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He commented on electric vehicle charging stations.

02:24 PM -- Yale King, representing King Buick GMC in Loveland and Longmont, testified in support of the bill.

02:27 PM -- Tom Walker, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.


BILL:	SB14-028
TIME:	02:29:31 PM
MOVED:	Tyler
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 14-028 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-2.
SECONDED:	Fischer
		VOTE
	Buck	No
	Coram	Yes
	Fischer	Yes
	Ginal	Yes
	Kraft-Tharp	Yes
	Lawrence	No
	Lee	Yes
	Mitsch Bush	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Scott	Yes
	Sonnenberg	Yes
	Moreno	Yes
	Tyler	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:34 PM -- HB 14-1301

Representative Mitsch Bush, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 14-1301. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) currently administers the Safe Routes to School Program (program) and distributes federal funds to state subdivisions for projects that improve the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists in school areas. Beginning in FY 2014-15, the CDOT will no longer receive federal funds for distribution. This bill appropriates $3.0 million General Fund to the CDOT in FY 2014-15 for the continuation of the program, and specifies that at least 20 percent but not more than 30 percent of state funds must be used for non-infrastructure projects. The bill also adds a criterion that the CDOT must consider when evaluating grant applications. Representative Mitsch Bush discussed the intent of the bill and distributed a handout and prepared amendment L.001 (Attachments A and B). She read a letter submitted by Bruce Brown (Attachment C). Representative Moreno asked about Map-21 and if other states are being affected by a loss of federal funds as well. Discussion ensued concerning the fiscal note. Representative Peniston asked if there is ever a sunset on this bill. Representative Kraft-Tharp asked about funding of the program in future years.

140319 AttachA.pdf

140319 AttachB.pdf

140319 AttachC.pdf

The following people testified on the bill:

02:58 PM -- Janet Hruby, representing Routt County, testified in support of the bill. She commented on the positive impact of the program. Representative Ginal asked why Highway User Tax Fund (HUTF) dollars cannot be utilized for this program and if there are other ways that funding can be obtained. Discussion ensued concerning funding.

03:11 PM -- Sarah Harter, representing Live Well Longmont, testified in support of the bill. She commented on the importance of active transportation and sustaining the Safe Routes to School program.

03:20 PM -- Barb Parnell, representing Live Well Northwest Colorado, testified in support of the bill. She commented on the academic benefits of the Safe Routes to School program.

03:26 PM -- Rear Admiral Christopher Colvin, representing Mission Readiness, testified in support of the bill. He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment D).

140319 AttachD.pdf

03:31 PM -- Leann Hepburn, representing the Colorado Association for Health Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, testified in support of the bill.

03:33 PM -- Betsy Jacobson, representing CDOT, testified in support of the bill. Discussion ensued concerning funding for the Safe Routes to School program. Kurt Morrison, representing CDOT, commented on federal funding.

03:47 PM -- Kathleen Krager, representing Colorado Springs, testified in support of the bill.

03:52 PM -- John Giardino, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, testified in support of the bill.

03:55 PM -- Bob Wilson, representing himself, commented on transit policy.


BILL:	HB14-1301
TIME:	03:57:57 PM
MOVED:	Moreno
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Mitsch Bush
		VOTE
	Buck
	Coram
	Fischer
	Ginal
	Kraft-Tharp
	Lawrence
	Lee
	Mitsch Bush
	Peniston
	Scott
	Sonnenberg
	Moreno
	Tyler

YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

140319 AttachE.pdf

04:06 PM -- Herbert Holman, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He spoke about the importance of active transportation and the need to continue the Safe Routes to School program.


BILL:	HB14-1301
TIME:	04:12:28 PM
MOVED:	Mitsch Bush
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 14-1301, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 11-2.
SECONDED:	Moreno
		VOTE
	Buck	No
	Coram	Yes
	Fischer	Yes
	Ginal	Yes
	Kraft-Tharp	Yes
	Lawrence	Yes
	Lee	Yes
	Mitsch Bush	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Scott	Yes
	Sonnenberg	No
	Moreno	Yes
	Tyler	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

04:14 PM

The committee adjourned.