Date: 03/13/2014

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB14-049

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 14-049 to the Committee on ApproPASS



04:04 PM -- SB14-049

The committee was called to order. A quorum was present. Representative Priola, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 14-049, concerning endangering public utility transmission. The bill addresses theft of materials at public transportation facilities. The following persons testified regarding Senate Bill 14-049:

04:07 PM -- Mr. Bobby Juchem, representing the Colorado State Patrol, testified in support of the bill. Committee members received copies of a proposed sign for placement at public transportation sites if the bill is adopted (Attachment A). Mr. Juchem discussed efforts to stem commodity metals theft, and explained the effect of the bill. He discussed disruptions caused by tampering with public transportation facilities. Mr. Juchem responded to questions regarding the scope of the problem of public transportation disruption due to materials theft.

14HseJud0313AttachA.pdf14HseJud0313AttachA.pdf

04:12 PM -- Chief Kevin Paletta, representing the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police and the Commodity Metals Theft Task Force, testified in support of the bill. Chief Paletta discussed the work of the task force, and explained that the bill is a public safety measure. Chief Paletta responded to questions regarding the ability of law enforcement to arrest theft perpetrators at transportation sites if all of the elements indicated in the bill are not involved in the act. Discussion ensued regarding the acts that may result in a charge of theft of utility transmission, and the ability to file multiple charges on the act.

04:17 PM -- Mr. Barry Springer, representing the Colorado Rural Electric Association, testified in support of Senate Bill 14-049. Mr. Springer discussed the damage caused, and safety hazards created, when commodity metals are stolen from utilities. Mr. Springer discussed the rate at which commodity metals are stolen from utility facilities, and the costs to utilities associated with the thefts.

04:25 PM -- Mr. Cayl England, representing the Union Pacific Police, testified in support of the bill. Mr. England discussed the importance of commodity metals to the operations of a railroad, and explained how the bill will assist in reducing the incidence of the theft of such materials. He discussed safety hazards that are created by commodity metal theft, and noted certain federal laws enacted to enhance railroad safety. Mr. England responded to questions regarding legislation in other states similar to Senate Bill 14-049.

04:31 PM -- Mr. R.J. Hicks, representing the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, testified in support of Senate Bill 14-049. Mr. Hicks discussed the purpose of assembling the Commodity Metals Theft Task Force, and efforts on the part of the scrap industry to combat commodity metal theft. He support the penalties in the bill.


04:32 PM

No amendments were offered to Senate Bill 14-049. Representative Priola provided closing remarks in support of the bill.
BILL:SB14-049
TIME: 04:33:18 PM
MOVED:Murray
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 14-049 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 11-0.
SECONDED:Court
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Court
Yes
Gardner
Yes
Lawrence
Yes
McLachlan
Yes
Murray
Yes
Pettersen
Yes
Salazar
Yes
Waller
Yes
Lee
Yes
Kagan
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS