ATTENDANCE
Becker J.
X
Buck
*
Carver
X
Coram
X
Esgar
X
Kraft-Tharp
X
Melton
X
Moreno
X
Neville P.
X
Nordberg
X
Winter
*
Mitsch Bush
X
Tyler
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY
| Date: | 02/18/2015 | ATTENDANCE | |
| | | |
| Time: | 01:33 PM to 02:58 PM | Becker J. | X |
| | Buck | * |
| Place: | HCR 0112 | Carver | X |
| | Coram | X |
| This Meeting was called to order by | Esgar | X | |
| Representative Tyler | Kraft-Tharp | X |
| Melton | X | |
| This Report was prepared by | Moreno | X | |
| Matt Kiszka | Neville P. | X |
| | Nordberg | X |
| | Winter | * |
| | Mitsch Bush | X |
| | Tyler | X |
| | X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call | |
| Bills Addressed: | | Action Taken: | |
| HB15-1026 HB15-1173 | Referred to Finance Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole | ||
01:41 PM -- Chris Hines, representing the Council for Persons with Disabilities (CPD), spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Hines stated that the bill does not create new disabled parking eligibility for veterans with disabilities, but allows increased access to the type of special license plate that a disabled veteran would like to choose. He also mentioned that the CPD is looking to increase funding for education related to disabled parking.
01:44 PM
Representative Roupe made her closing comments on the bill.
| | |
| BILL: | HB15-1026 | |
| TIME: | 01:44:39 PM | |
| MOVED: | Buck | |
| MOTION: | Refer House Bill 15-1026 to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed on a vote of 12-0. | |
| SECONDED: | Neville P. | |
| VOTE | |
| Becker J. | Yes |
| Buck | Yes |
| Carver | Yes |
| Coram | Yes |
| Esgar | Yes |
| Kraft-Tharp | Yes |
| Melton | Yes |
| Moreno | Excused |
| Neville P. | Yes |
| Nordberg | Yes |
| Winter | Yes |
| Mitsch Bush | Yes |
| Tyler | Yes |
| | |
YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS | ||
· carry tire chains or an equivalent traction control device (i.e. cable chains).
Under the bill, violations are a class B traffic infraction with penalties of a $100 fine and a $32 surcharge. Beginning September 1, 2015, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is required to notify the public of the bill's requirements through temporary, electronic, or permanent signs; the CDOT travel website; social media; and other appropriate means.
Representative Mitsch Bush stated that I-70 is a corridor that sees a lot of closures during the winter, which are sometimes caused by passenger vehicles that do not have appropriate traction equipment. She stated that the bill clarifies existing chain law and when and where passenger vehicles must have appropriate equipment. She stated that under current statute, it is not always clear when chain laws are in effect. She added that it can take a while for CDOT and Colorado State Patrol (CSP) to work together to call the chain law into effect.
Representative Rankin said that the issue at hand was important to many individuals in Colorado, and that the bill would help drivers on I-70 to follow chain laws. The bill sponsors responded to questions on the usage of signs to educate noncommercial drivers on chain requirements during the winter, how CDOT will cover the costs of education and signage related to the bill, how drivers can determine if they have adequate tread on their tires, how often out-of-state drivers are being fined for violating chain laws under current law, and what the specific requirements for tires or traction equipment are under the bill.
01:59 PM -- Dave Hall, representing CSP, spoke in favor of the bill. He stated that the bill was an important step towards addressing traffic delays on I-70, and that the bill should not cause CSP to pull more drivers over than it currently does. He stated that CSP will not be setting up check points to check vehicle tire tread depth, and that it is supportive of the education campaign that comes along with the bill. He stated that the fines contained within the bill are already in statute, that the legislation will improve communication between CSP and CDOT, and that it will allow drivers to better understand when chain laws are in effect. He responded to questions on whether a state trooper could levy a tire tread depth citation for a car that spins out under dry driving conditions, how the bill specifically changes statute, how many accidents are caused by driving too fast versus driving without adequate tire tread or chains, when a driver would be in violation of the law if the bill passes, and if there are existing educational campaigns on driving with adequate tire tread.
02:13 PM -- Andy Karsian, representing CDOT, spoke in favor of the bill. He said that CDOT can use its existing signage infrastructure along the I-70 corridor and that it feels this will be adequate to cover the requirements under the bill for display signs. He stated that if the bill passes, CDOT plans to take an educational rather than a punitive approach to drivers who are driving without adequate tread. He responded to questions on approved traction control devices in Colorado, if CDOT has existing authority to use signs to educate drivers on safe winter driving, and CDOT's strategic plan for additional education surrounding winter driving.
02:20 PM -- Greg Fulton, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA), spoke in favor of the bill. He said that CMCA has been discussing the issue of accidents on I-70 and Colorado's chain laws for a number of years, that Colorado has the strictest chain laws for trucks in the country, and that trucks can be significantly impacted by accidents and lane closures caused by passenger vehicles. He stated that the bill was a reasonable piece of legislation that would benefit everyone who uses or relies on I-70.
02:24 PM -- Jill Ryan, representing Eagle County and the I-70 Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill. Ms. Ryan stated that the bill would clarify existing statute and that I-70 congestion is not just an issue in mountain communities. She said that highway closures can affect Colorado's reputation and cause tourists to book vacations in other states. She stated that Colorado does not currently have a clear law that addresses passenger vehicles driving on highways during the winter. Ms. Ryan said that the bill was the most cost-effective way to address winter driving issues on I-70.
02:29 PM -- Dale Bugby, representing the Town of Vail, spoke in favor of the bill. He said that Vail had experienced negative impacts on tourism because of the traffic conditions and unreliability of I-70, and that mountain communities heavily rely on I-70. He said that the bill was an easy way to address I-70 congestion issues.
02:32 PM -- Brendan McGuire, representing Vail Resorts and the I-70 Coalition, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. McGuire said that I-70 plays a critical part in the Colorado economy, especially during winter. He recognized that significant investment is needed in the I-70 corridor. He outlined the activities of the I-70 Coalition in attempting to improve the driving conditions and education of drivers on I-70. He stated that the bill was an important step towards addressing driving issues on I-70.
02:35 PM -- Patrick Byrne, representing Ski Country USA, spoke in favor of the bill. Mr. Byrne explained that his organization is a trade association for the skiing industry in Colorado. He said that the 2013-14 ski season was challenging for I-70 travel, and that a number of discussions had arisen since then around how to help vehicles to be properly equipped for winter travel.
02:38 PM -- Grier Bailey, representing the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, spoke in favor of the bill. He said that the commercial vehicles industry in Colorado was considering not using the I-70 corridor during periods of severe weather because of its frequent congestion issues.
02:41 PM -- Charles Ward, representing the Denver Chamber of Commerce (DCC), spoke in favor of the bill. He said that DCC represents 3,000 business in Colorado and that its core mission is to put Coloradoans to work. He stated that improving the driving experience on I-70 was one of the top five issues identified by DCC's membership as being crucial towards improving the economic success of Colorado.
02:44 PM -- Dean Teeter, representing CMCA, spoke in favor of the bill. He said that CMCA has been a strong advocate of legislation like HB 15-1173 for a number of years. He said that delays on I-70 can significantly affect the deliveries of the trucking industry. Mr. Teeter stated that it is everyone's responsibility to drive safely during the winter and that the bill will help ensure this.
02:47 PM
Representative Mitsch Bush explained Amendment L.001 (Attachment B), which incorporates language around four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles into the bill.
| | |
| BILL: | HB15-1173 | |
| TIME: | 02:47:59 PM | |
| MOVED: | Mitsch Bush | |
| MOTION: | Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection. | |
| SECONDED: | Coram | |
| VOTE | |
| Becker J. | |
| Buck | |
| Carver | |
| Coram | |
| Esgar | |
| Kraft-Tharp | |
| Melton | |
| Moreno | |
| Neville P. | |
| Nordberg | |
| Winter | |
| Mitsch Bush | |
| Tyler | |
| | |
YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection | ||
| | |
| BILL: | HB15-1173 | |
| TIME: | 02:58:58 PM | |
| MOVED: | Mitsch Bush | |
| MOTION: | Refer House Bill 15-1173, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 8-5. | |
| SECONDED: | Kraft-Tharp | |
| VOTE | |
| Becker J. | No |
| Buck | No |
| Carver | No |
| Coram | Yes |
| Esgar | Yes |
| Kraft-Tharp | Yes |
| Melton | Yes |
| Moreno | Yes |
| Neville P. | No |
| Nordberg | No |
| Winter | Yes |
| Mitsch Bush | Yes |
| Tyler | Yes |
| | |
Final YES: 8 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS | ||