Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Date:02/24/2015
ATTENDANCE
Time:02:06 PM to 03:55 PM
Crowder
X
Donovan
X
Place:SCR 356
Guzman
*
Kefalas
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Martinez Humenik
X
Senator Marble
Balmer
X
Marble
X
This Report was prepared by
David Beaujon
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
SB15-176Referred to Appropriations


02:07 PM -- SB 15-176

Senator Garcia and Senator Crowder, co-prime sponsors, described the provisions of Senate Bill 15-176 that provides $8.91 million General Fund to support efforts to expand passenger rail service in southeastern Colorado. Specifically, it appropriates this money in FY 2015-16 to the Southwest Chief Rail Line Economic Development, Rural Tourism, and Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance Fund and authorizes its use by the commission of the same name. The bill also modifies current expenditure requirements for the fund.

The following persons testified on the bill:

02:09 PM -- Rick Kline, City of La Junta, spoke in support of the bill

02:12 PM -- Sal Pace, Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the importance of the Southwest Chief to southeastern Colorado. He also identified grants and other sources of funding to pay for maintenance of the Southwest Chief and responded to questions from the committee about the bill.

02:28 PM -- Jim Souby, Colorado Rail Passenger Association, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the importance of the Southwest Chief to southeastern Colorado.

02:33 PM -- Rob Eaton, Amtrak, spoke in support of the bill.

02:36 PM

The committee recessed.

03:35 PM -- The committee returned from recess. Mr. Eaton continued his testimony on the bill and responded to questions from the committee about Amtrak operations.



03:41 PM -- Carl Smith, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, spoke in support of the bill.

The following persons submitted letters of support for the bill but did not testify:

Prowers County Board of County Commissioners(Attachment A); and
Hugh Fowler, representing himself (Attachment B).

150224 AttachA.pdf150224 AttachA.pdf150224 AttachB.pdf150224 AttachB.pdf

03:45 PM

Testimony was closed. Senator Garcia and Senator Crowder closed their remarks on the bill.
BILL:SB15-176
TIME: 03:54:21 PM
MOVED:Crowder
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-176 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 5-2.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Crowder
Yes
Donovan
Yes
Guzman
Yes
Kefalas
Yes
Martinez Humenik
Yes
Balmer
No
Marble
No
Final YES: 5 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

03:55 PM

The committee adjourned.