Date: 07/08/2015

Final
Discussion of Definition of a Motor Vehicle

TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
<none><none>





01:12 PM -- Discussion of Definition of a Motor Vehicle

The committee was called back to order. Representative Tyler explained how the House and Senate Transportation Committees and the TLRC frequently receive requests to regulate new types of vehicles or reclassify existing vehicles in Colorado, prompting the need for the discussion of what defines a motor vehicle.


01:13 PM

Dave Hall, Legislative Liaison, CSP, came to the table to present to the committee about how CSP classifies different types of vehicles. He discussed how tuk-tuks are classified as a motorcycle, and said that this classification is problematic when CSP needs to analzyze accident data on motorcycles alone without including tuk-tuks.


01:15 PM

Tony Anderson, Title & Registration Operations Director, DMV, came to the table to present on how the DMV collects data on motor vehicles. He distributed two handouts (Attachments E and F) and provided an overview of vehicle tax classes, the types of vehicles in each class, and how the taxable value of each class is calculated. He explained that golf carts, implements of husbandry, and low-power scooters do not have a tax class. Representative Tyler asked about the requirements imposed on vehicles without a tax class. Mr. Anderson discussed the requirements for certain types of construction vehicles that are operated on the road and gave an overview of different definitions of a motor vehicle depending on where it is defined: either in statutes for titling and registration, federal codes, or by recommendation of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. He explained that the Colorado Revised Statutes have 85 separate definitions for motor vehicles. Mr. Anderson responded to questions from the committee regarding unconventional vehicles that can ride on the roads and the types of vehicles that may be coming before the legislature in the future.

0708TransAttachE.pdf0708TransAttachE.pdf 0708TransAttachF.pdf0708TransAttachF.pdf

01:28 PM

Tim Jackson, President, Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), came to the table to answer questions from the committee. He said that CADA is concerned about kei vehicles because they do not need to meet the same safety and emissions standards as those for traditional manufacturers. He discussed how new motor vehicles have drastically reduced their emissions in recent years, problems with ozone in Colorado, how kei vehicles try to bypass these emission standards, and how keis have worse emissions than traditional vehicles. He discussed the vehicle safety requirements that have existed since 1972 that have reduced vehicle homicides and improved safety. He said CADA suggests that rather than reducing standards, federal and state governments should require everyone, including kei vehicles, to meet current standards. He explained how the federal government usually sets the national standard.


01:36 PM

Dennis Haberstumpf, representing ABATE of Colorado, came to the table during public comment and distributed a handout (Attachment G). He said that he would like the legislature to classify three-wheeled vehicles as their own type of vehicle rather than as a motorcycle. He described a new vehicle called the "slingshot" that has two seats side-by-side but is currently classified as a motorcycle. He explained that in statute, safety guidelines require that your legs be on each side of the seat, and spoke to how this is not possible in many of the new vehicles classified as a motorcycle. Committee discussion ensued.

0707TransportAttachG.pdf0707TransportAttachG.pdf