Bill Summary for Bill Number HB15-1173

Date: 03/26/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1173

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.005 (Attachment F). The motion p Refer House Bill 15-1173, as amended, to the Commi	Pass Without Objection PASS

10:11 AM -- HB15-1173

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

10:12 AM

Senator Todd, prime sponsor presented House Bill 15-1173. The reengrossed bill requires all noncommercial motor vehicles driving on Interstate 70 between Dotsero (milepost 133) and Morrison (milepost 259) between November 1 and May 15 to:

• have tires with any form of the mountain-snowflake symbol or "mud and snow" lettering (i.e., M/S and M+S) on the side wall of the tire and a tread depth of one-eighth of an inch;
• carry tire chains or an equivalent traction control device (i.e. cable chains); or
• have a four-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive vehicle and tires with a tread depth of one-eighth of an inch.

Under the bill, any noncommercial vehicle driver that does not meet these traction requirements while driving on I-70 in the winter violates the chain law, committing a class B traffic infraction with a penalty of a $100 fine and a $32 surcharge. An enhanced penalty of $500 and a $156 surcharge applies when the chain violation results in the closure of a travel lane in one or both directions.

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.

Senator Todd said that under current statute, traction laws only apply when the chain law is in effect and that House Bill 15-1173 does not establish any new fines or increase existing fines. She responded to questions from the committee regarding whether the bill was primarily intended to educate drivers.

Senator Scott distributed amendment L.004 (Attachment A) at Senator Todd's request so that witnesses could speak on it.

150326 AttachA.pdf

10:18 AM -- Dave Hall, representing the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), testified in support of the bill. He answered questions from the committee regarding how CSP would issue citations if the bill passed, the conditions that trigger the bill's chain law to go into effect, and the reason for the change of the effective date in Amendment L.004.

10:38 AM -- Andy Karsian, representing CDOT, testified in support of the bill. He spoke about CDOT's role in educating drivers. He responded to questions from the committee regarding CDOT's current educational activities, the difference between all-season tires and snow tires, the 130 miles on the corridor referenced in the bill, and the term "Code 15." He discussed methods for encouraging drivers to take responsibility.

10:49 AM -- Mr. Hall came back to the table to answer questions from the committee regarding the conditions required to declare a snow emergency and if it would be better to shut down the roads entirely during such an event. Mr. Karsian discussed the variables involved in shutting down a highway.

10:56 AM -- Margaret Bowes, representing the I-70 Coalition, testified in support of the bill. She distributed a handout (Attachment B) and discussed the importance of predictable trip times, especially for people flying out of the Denver International Airport. She discussed how inexperienced travelers do not know what the term "adequate equipment" means and how the bill clarifies existing chain law. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the public's perception of adequate traction.

150326 AttachB.pdf

10:59 AM -- Patrick Byrne, representing Colorado Ski Country USA, testified in support of the bill. He discussed an economic study of the I-70 Corridor, how Colorado is the leading ski state in the country, and how accidents cost communities thousands of dollars every year. He discussed the importance of outreach efforts to teach about proper traction in order to keep the corridor moving as smoothly as possible. He said that Colorado Ski Country USA supports Amendment L.004.

11:02 AM -- Greg Fulton, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA), testified in support of the bill. He distributed handouts (Attachments C, D, and E) and discussed the importance of I-70 as a critical east-west corridor. He said that carriers cannot navigate around vehicles as easily as passenger vehicles, and if they stop on a steep grade they often need to be pushed or pulled to get going again, especially if the roads are icy. He responded to questions from the committee regarding safety inspections in other states, how Colorado used to have safety inspections, and the financial costs of delays. He discussed how delays also become a problem when truck drivers have mandatory rest periods.

150326 AttachC.pdf

150326 AttachD.pdf

150326 AttachE.pdf

11:16 AM -- Grier Bailey, representing the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, testified in support of the bill. He said that most of the fuel distributed homes, airports, and gas stations in the mountains comes from Denver. He suggested that someone with inadequate snow tires who impedes commerce should bear responsibility after an adequate education campaign.

11:18 AM -- Amie Mayhew, representing the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association, testified in support of the bill. She discussed how guests check out of hotels a day early to make their scheduled flights.

11:19 AM -- Mary Marchum, representing Vail Resorts, testified in support of the bill.

11:21 AM -- Jill Ryan, representing the Eagle County Board of Commissioners and the I-70 Coalition, testified in support of the bill. She discussed how congestion issues on I-70 impact more than the mountain communities, may lead tourists to choose different destinations, and the need for a clear law that addresses passenger vehicles.

11:26 AM -- Dean Teter, representing CMCA and Offen Petroleum, testified in support of the bill. He said that the board of directors of CMCA voted unanimously to support the concept of the bill. He discussed chain laws in Colorado compared to other states.

11:32 AM -- RJ Hicks, representing CMCA, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the amendments to the bill, the responsibility of motor services associations, and the need to be proactive about safety. He responded to questions from the committee about the difference in the effective date between the bill and the amendments, the differences between snow tires and all-weather tires, and how the new chain law would be enforced in the corridor by CSP.

11:36 AM -- Senator Scott discussed Amendment L. 005 (Attachment F).

150326 AttachF.pdf


BILL:	HB15-1173
TIME:	11:39:52 AM
MOVED:	Scott
MOTION:	Adopt amendment L.005 (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

11:43 AM

The committee took a brief recess.

12:06 PM

The committee came back to order. Senator Todd provided closing comments.


BILL:	HB15-1173
TIME:	12:08:35 PM
MOVED:	Todd
MOTION:	Refer House Bill 15-1173, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. 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

12:13 PM

The committee adjourned.