Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Date:03/05/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:10:12 AM to 10:51 AM
Cooke
X
Garcia
X
Place:SCR 352
Todd
X
Scott
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Baumgardner
X
Senator Baumgardner
This Report was prepared by
Mistia Zuckerman
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB15-1207
SB15-179		Referred to the Committee of the Whole - Consent Calendar
Witness Testimony and/or Committee Discussion Only


10:12 AM -- HB 15-1207

Senator Baumgardner, Chair, called the meeting to order. A quorum was present.

10:14 AM

Senator Todd, prime sponsor, introduced House Bill 15-1207. Under current law, it is a class B traffic infraction to use earphones while driving. The reengrossed bill allows the use of earphones while driving if the earphone covers only one ear and is connected to a wireless, hand-held telephone, notwithstanding any laws related to commercial driver's licenses.


Senator Todd responded to questions from the committee regarding encouraging drivers to use hands-free devices and the difference between using one or two earphones while driving. She commented on the need to update statutes to reflect changing technology.
BILL:HB15-1207
TIME: 10:15:58 AM
MOVED:Todd
MOTION:Refer House Bill 15-1207 to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Cooke
Yes
Garcia
Yes
Todd
Yes
Scott
Yes
Baumgardner
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

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.