Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Date:02/09/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:09:35 AM to 11:29 AM
Hagedorn
X
Isgar
X
Place:SCR 352
May R.
X
Spence
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Wiens
X
Senator Takis
Williams
X
Takis
X
This Report was prepared by
Lauren Sisneros
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
SB06-093
SB06-168		Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Witness Testimony Only


09:35 AM -- Senate Bill 06-093

Senator Tupa, prime sponsor, explained the provisions of SB 06-093, concerning property used for parking related to services provided by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). The bill prohibits the Regional Transportation District (RTD) from charging a person any type of fee or expense for parking at a park-n-ride lot or any other lot or structure owned or leased by RTD. Senator Tupa explained prepared amendment L.002 (Attachment A). The amendment allows RTD limited authority to charge fees for parking. The amendment allows RTD to charge parking fees to woner of motor vehicles if the average usage rate of such parking facility is more than fifty percen of capacity and if the vehicle is registered at an address outside the district; or left in the parking facility for more than 24 hours. In addition, the amendment prohibits RTD from charging a parking fee until it has posted signs waring of the parking fee to be imposed. Senator Tupa answered questions from committee members and stated that the bill will limit the use of Sky Ride. He also stated that he hopes that RTD would initiate a policy that would protect out of state students from receiving a ticket. In addition, he stated that RTD is not a private business and is a private enitity that the legislature created. He indicated that the legislature has oversight over the activitites of RTD. Committee discussion ensued regarding the responsibility of the legislature and the overshight of RTD.

The following person testified:

09:59 AM -- Cal Marsella, General Manager, RTD, came to the table to respond to questions. He stated that during holiday breaks, many students park their vehicles at the Park-n-Rides for long periods of time. RTD contacts towing authorities to respond to such vehicles. In addition, he stated that RTD does verify by license plates that the vehicles are properly registered. Mr. Maresella indicated that RTD will become a parking enterpirse in the future due to the high demand. Mr. Marsella also stated that RTD supports amendmet L.002 (Attachment A). He responded to questions and stated that he does not anticipate that the parking fee progam will go forward for another year.


10:13 AM -- Cat Kim, representing herself, testified in opposition. She expressed her concerns about students parking thier vehicles at park-n-rides for less than 24 hours and the vehicle being towed. Senator Tupa stated the amendment L.002 addresses her concerns.


10:17 AM

Senator Tupa made closing comments for SB 06-093.
BILL:SB06-093
TIME: 10:17:31 AM
MOVED:Spence
MOTION:Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Hagedorn
Isgar
May R.
Spence
Wiens
Williams
Takis
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:SB06-093
TIME: 10:17:46 AM
MOVED:Spence
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 06-093 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on 7 to 0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Hagedorn
Yes
Isgar
Yes
May R.
Yes
Spence
Yes
Wiens
Yes
Williams
Yes
Takis
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:SB06-093
TIME: 10:18:18 AM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Moved to place SB 06-093 on the Consent Calendar. The motion did not pass due to objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Hagedorn
Isgar
May R.
Spence
Wiens
Williams
Takis
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL




10:19 AM -- Senate Bill 06-168

Senator Hanna, prime sponsor, explained the provisions of SB 06-168, concerning the use of electric personal assistive mobility devices on public rights of way used for traffic. Senator Hanna answered questions from committee members and stated that individuals must be licensed to use the electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD). The bill authorizes the use EPAMDs on sidewalks (unless by a specified size of a traffic control device), bike baths, and roads with a 35 miles per hour or less speed limit. It requires EPAMDs to comply with bicycle equipment and traffic rules, except braking, and authorizes local governments to regulate EPAMD's.

The following persons testified:

10:28 AM -- Charlotte Sorenson, representing Walk Boulder, testified in opposition to the bill. She distributed a testimony summary sheet (Attachment B). Ms. Sorenson stated that SB 06-168 disguises the motor-powered Segway. also known as a EPAMD) both as a bicycle and a pedestrian. She added that the motorized Segway is a danger to pedestrians on sidewalks, paths, and trails.

10:33 AM -- Tom Hobe, representing Highlands Ranch Metro Districts in the Colorado Parks and Recreation District, testified in opposition to the bill. He stated that the Parks and Recreation District questions the need of SB 06-168. He added that if SB 06-168 passed, local governments would have to pass a local level law to prohibit the use of the EPAMD.

10:38 AM -- Dan Grunig, representing Bicycle Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill. He stated that SB 06-168 creates confusion of appropriate yielding of vehicles and pedestrians. Mr. Grunig answered questions and stated that he would support the bill if it was amended to include regulation of EPAMDs for people with medical disabilities

10:42 AM -- Matt Dailida, representing Segway Inc., testified in support of the bill. He distributed a handout including background information for Segway Inc. and a testimony summary sheet (Attachment C). He stated that during the 2004-05 legislative session, a similar bill was introduced. The bill was postponed indefinitely. Committee members commented on the emergency room statistics and expressed concern that the information may be misleading. Mr. Dailida answered questions from committee members and stated that he did not attempt to mislead the committee. He also stated that Segway, Inc. does not consider the EPAMD as a medical device, like a wheelchair.

10:56 AM -- Ted Pearlman, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He showed the committee a power point presentation that included information on the use of EPAMDs. He stated that he believes that the EPAMD does not pose additional danger. He also stated that the Segway is a product to get people of the road and reduce pollution. He responded to questions from committee members and stated that he paid under $4,000 for his Segway.

11:05 AM -- Jerry Kerr, representing Disability Rights Advocates for Technology (DRAFT), testified in support of the bill. He distributed a handout including background information of DRAFT and a testimony summary sheet (Attachment D). He stated that the Segway does not add risk and federal law protects individuals with disabilities who use the EPAMDs.

11:10 AM -- Edwerd Starck, representing the town of Windser, testified in support of the bill. He stated that the EPAMD will reduce parking in downtown Windser.

11:14 AM -- Lowell Richardson, representing the town and law enforcement of Estes Park , testified in support of the bill. He stated that the use of EPAMD will reduce traffic in Estes Park. He also stated that through the Model Traffic Code, the town of Estes Park has passed an ordinance that allows the use of EPAMDs. He added that EPAMDs are regulated as bicycles.

11:18 AM -- Steven Sande, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He stated that SB 06-168 is important for Colorado transportation.

11:21 AM -- Leanord Osman, Segway of Denver, testified in support of the bill. He stated that Segway of Denver has had 1,200 customers utilizing Segways without incident. He responded to questions and stated that he has never had a customer return their Segway.

11:29 AM

Senator Takis, chair, announced that SB 06-168 will be laid over. The bill will be heard on Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. for action only.

11:29 AM

The committee recessed.