Date: 03/05/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-179

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The motion pPass Without Objection



10:17 AM -- SB 15-179

Senator Garcia, prime sponsor, introduced Senate Bill 15-179. The bill requires the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to conduct an economic impact and opportunity study of the 250-mile portion of the U.S. Highway 50 that runs between the junction with U.S. Highway 285 and the Kansas border. Specifically, CDOT is directed to study the extent to which various potential safety improvements are likely to increase the efficiency, capacity, and usage of the highway. The report is due to the transportation committees of the General Assembly and to be posted on the CDOT website by December 1, 2015. Senator Garcia also discussed the fiscal impact of the bill.

10:20 AM -- Keith Goodwin, representing Otero County, testified in favor of the bill. He said that as U.S. Highway 50 is the only East-West Corridor in the southern section of the state, , the necessary safety improvements are important for Otero County. He discussed the highway's importance to freight traffic and the impact of safety improvements on Central and Southern Colorado.

10:24 AM -- Bill Long, representing Bent County, testified in support of the bill. He said that Bent County believes the safety improvements and economic benefits would be very helpful.

10:25 AM -- RJ Hicks, representing Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA), testified in support of the bill. He distributed a map of study recommendations from the Ports to Plains Corridor (Attachment A). He said that CMCA has long supported a review of a corridor redevelopment in Colorado and discussed CMCA's involvement in the Ports to Plains Effort. He discussed the role of U.S. Highway 50 as a major thoroughfare for agricultural production, the potential for growth and increased freight traffic, and the trend in traffic regionalization. He responded to questions from the committee regarding alternative routes and economic development opportunities.

150305 AttachA.pdf150305 AttachA.pdf

10:35 AM -- Buffie McFadyen, representing Pueblo County, testified in support of the bill. She distributed letters of support from the Fremont County Board of Commissioners (Attachment B), Board of Pueblo County Commissioners (Attachment C), the Prowers County Board of County Commissioners (Attachment D), and a page of notes from her testimony (Attachment E).

150305 AttachB.pdf150305 AttachB.pdf150305 AttachC.pdf150305 AttachC.pdf150305 AttachD.pdf150305 AttachD.pdf150305 AttachE.pdf150305 AttachE.pdf

10:41 AM -- Andy Karsian, representing CDOT, testified in support of the bill. He said that CDOT looks forward to working with the communities along the corridor and discussed former and current studies in the region.

10:48 AM

Senator Garcia introduced Amendment L.001 (Attachment F) and said it provided an opportunity to reduce the bill's fiscal impact through partnerships by allowing gifts, grants, and donations.

150305 AttachF.pdf150305 AttachF.pdf
BILL:SB15-179
TIME: 10:48:54 AM
MOVED:Garcia
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment F). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Garcia
Todd
Scott
Baumgardner
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

10:49 AM

Senator Garcia gave closing comments on the bill. Senator Baumgardner said that the bill would be laid over to March 12, 2015 for action only.

10:51 AM

The committee adjourned.