Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Date:02/02/2006
ATTENDANCE
Time:09:38 AM to 12:17 PM
Borodkin
X
Green
X
Place:HCR 0112
Hefley
*
Knoedler
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Larson
*
Representative Pommer
Lindstrom
X
Ragsdale
X
This Report was prepared by
Sullivan
X
Jamila Rockette
Welker
*
McFadyen
X
Pommer
X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
HB06-1147
HB06-1118
HB06-1035
HB06-1084
HB06-1007		Amended, Referred to Appropriations
Amended, Referred to Finance
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

09:38 AM -- House Bill 06-1147

Representative Plant, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 06-1147 which directs the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to adopt rules establishing funding and cost-recovery mechanisms for distributors of natural gas to engage in conservation and energy efficiency programs.

09:42 AM

Doug Dean, Director of the PUC, spoke in opposition to the bill. Mr. Dean stated that the PUC is not opposed to energy conservation measures, but believes that any such measure should benefit a broad base of rate payers; he stated that the bill does not do that. Citing the electric demand-side management program, he stated that 100 percent of the energy customers will be paying into the program, while only 4 percent of the customers will actually benefit from it. Mr. Dean stated that the bill is unfair to low-income individuals and businesses and he does not believe the legislation will improve air quality.

09:54 AM

Fred Stoffel, Vice President of Policy Development for Xcel Energy, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Stoffel discussed the impact the legislation would have on Xcel's customers and discussed energy efficiency programs Xcel already has in place.



10:10 AM

Howard Gellar, Executive Director of the South West Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP), spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Gellar discussed national, state, and local energy efficiency codes and regulations currently in place. Mr. Gellar stated that it is easier to change natural gas consumption than natural gas prices and that there is a savings of $2-$3 dollars for every $1 spent on energy efficiency programs.
BILL:HB06-1147
TIME: 10:30:43 AM
MOVED:Green
MOTION:Move to amend the bill on Page 2, line 17, after the word "PURCHASES", insert "NATURAL". The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:McFadyen
VOTE
Borodkin
Green
Hefley
Knoedler
Larson
Lindstrom
Ragsdale
Sullivan
Welker
McFadyen
Pommer
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB06-1147
TIME: 10:31:22 AM
MOVED:Larson
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 06-1147, as amended, to the House Appropriations Committee. The motion passed 6-5.
SECONDED:Green
VOTE
Borodkin
Yes
Green
Yes
Hefley
No
Knoedler
No
Larson
Yes
Lindstrom
Yes
Ragsdale
No
Sullivan
No
Welker
No
McFadyen
Yes
Pommer
Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



10:33 AM -- House Bill 06-1118

Representative Larson, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 06-1118 which adds an administrative revocation of a license for driving while ability impaired for a person under 21 years of age, or of driving under the influence, to the grounds for placing a commercial driver's license out-of-service. The bill also clarifies when a police officer can serve a notice of revocation, changes the periods of revocation for alcohol-related offenses, clarifies that an out-of-service order includes an order issued under federal, state, local, Canadian, or Mexican law, and makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to operate a motor vehicle in violation of an out-of-service order.

10:40 AM

Jerry Pierce, Chief of Port of Entry (POE) for the Department of Revenue (DOR), spoke in support of the bill. Chief Pierce discussed commercial vehicle inspections conducted by DOR and the number of out-of-service orders issued by the department each year. Chief Pierce stated that the bill allows POE to identify and pursue individuals who continue to operate vehicles after an out-of-service order has been issued.
BILL:HB06-1118
TIME: 10:46:55 AM
MOVED:Larson
MOTION:Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Green
VOTE
Borodkin
Green
Hefley
Knoedler
Larson
Lindstrom
Ragsdale
Sullivan
Welker
McFadyen
Pommer
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB06-1118
TIME: 10:47:28 AM
MOVED:Larson
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 06-1118, as amended, to the Committee on Finance. The motion passed 11-0.
SECONDED:Pommer
VOTE
Borodkin
Yes
Green
Yes
Hefley
Yes
Knoedler
Yes
Larson
Yes
Lindstrom
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Welker
Yes
McFadyen
Yes
Pommer
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

10:48 AM -- House Bill 06-1035

Representative Ragsdale, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 06-1035, which requires a commercial vehicle that transports passengers to stop before crossing railroad tracks. The bill also requires a school bus, commercial vehicle transporting passengers, and vehicle carrying hazardous materials to stop before crossing railroad tracks within a residential area.

10:52 AM

Scott Hernandez, representing the Colorado State Patrol, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Hernandez stated that there is a slight discrepancy between federal and state law governing commercial vehicles stopping at railroad tracks. State law requires commercial vehicles to stop at railroads with crossing gates or with flashing lights, even if the crossing gates are not down, or the lights are not flashing, federal law does not have this requirement. Mr. Hernandez stated that the bill makes stopping at all railroad crossing grades consistent for all commercial vehicles, including interstate drivers coming to Colorado. Responding to questions from members, Mr. Hernandez stated that the definition for "railroad grade crossings" does not include light rail or street cars.


10:55 AM

Rick Johnson, Legislative Director and Safety Officer for the United Transportation Union (UTU), spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Johnson stated that the legislation protects the members of the UTU, first responders, and the general public at-large.
BILL:HB06-1035
TIME: 11:00:29 AM
MOVED:Ragsdale
MOTION:Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Green
VOTE
Borodkin
Green
Hefley
Knoedler
Larson
Lindstrom
Ragsdale
Sullivan
Welker
McFadyen
Pommer
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 3 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection



11:02 AM

Members asked Jery Payne, Office of Legislative Legal Services and drafter of House Bill 06-1035, to clarify lines 21 and 22 on page 2, which states that the requirement for certain vehicles to stop at railroad grade crossings shall not apply at railway grade crossings within a business district. Mr. Payne explained that lines 21 and 22 are intended to make commercial vehicles have to stop at railroad crossings in residential districts.
BILL:HB06-1035
TIME: 11:05:10 AM
MOVED:Hefley
MOTION:Moved to amend the bill on Page 2, strike lines 21 and 22. The motion failed 4-7.
SECONDED:Sullivan
VOTE
Borodkin
Yes
Green
Yes
Hefley
Yes
Knoedler
No
Larson
No
Lindstrom
No
Ragsdale
No
Sullivan
Yes
Welker
No
McFadyen
No
Pommer
No
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:HB06-1035
TIME: 11:13:32 AM
MOVED:Ragsdale
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 06-1035, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 10-1.
SECONDED:Green
VOTE
Borodkin
Yes
Green
Yes
Hefley
No
Knoedler
Yes
Larson
Yes
Lindstrom
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Welker
Yes
McFadyen
Yes
Pommer
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


11:15 AM -- House Bill 06-1084

Representative Liston, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 06-1084 which deals with illegal speeding activities involving motor vehicles. Representative Liston discussed illegal speeding activities in Colorado Springs and distributed a map detailing locations of street racing events that have resulted in accidents in that city. Representative Liston also responded to questions from the committee.

11:23 AM

Commander Peter Carey, Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Carey discussed enforcement strategies that the CSPD utilizes to deter young people from participating in street racing activities. Commander Carey also provided statistics related to fatalities that have occurred from illegal speeding activities, and stated that the proposed bill creates a new crime for speed exhibition with separate penalties. Responding to questions from members, Commander Carey clarified what types of activities would be classified as speed racing.

11:45 AM

Michael Proctor, President of the Stetson Hills Division Citizen Advisory group, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Proctor explained how members of his group have been working with Representative Liston to draft this bill after first petitioning the City of Colorado Springs and then finding inconsistencies in the state law regarding illegal speeding activities.
BILL:HB06-1084
TIME: 11:47:50 AM
MOVED:Hefley
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 06-1084 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 11-0.
SECONDED:Welker
VOTE
Borodkin
Yes
Green
Yes
Hefley
Yes
Knoedler
Yes
Larson
Yes
Lindstrom
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Welker
Yes
McFadyen
Yes
Pommer
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



11:51 AM -- House Bill 06-1007

Representative Decker, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 06-1007 which prohibits a person purchasing a motor vehicle for the purpose of scrapping the motor vehicle to do so without specific documents, requires the person to contact local law enforcement to make sure the motor vehicle was not stolen, requires the person to send certain documents to the Department of Revenue (DOR), and requires DOR to keep records related to abandoned vehicles that are wrecked or dismantled for a specific amount of time.

12:01 PM

Tom Davis, a detective specializing in auto theft for the El Paso Sheriff's Office, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Davis explained that current law allows an individual to take a vehicle to a crusher or shredder with any type of proof of ownership, including a piece of paper with "Bill of Sale" handwritten on it, and have the vehicle crushed or dismantled. Mr. Davis stated that the legislation removes the ability for individuals to steal a vehicle and then have it crushed.

12:06 PM

George Connolly, representing the Towing and Recovery Professionals of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill with the condition that amendment L.003 is adopted.

12:10 PM

Terry Campbell, Legislative Liaison for the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), stated that the CSP supports the bill.

12:11 PM

R.J. Hicks, representing scrap and auto recyclers, spoke in support of the bill with the condition that amendment L.003 is adopted.
BILL:HB06-1007
TIME: 12:15:02 PM
MOVED:Larson
MOTION:Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Sullivan
VOTE
Borodkin
Green
Hefley
Knoedler
Larson
Lindstrom
Ragsdale
Sullivan
Welker
McFadyen
Pommer
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB06-1007
TIME: 12:15:52 PM
MOVED:Larson
MOTION:Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Sullivan
VOTE
Borodkin
Green
Hefley
Knoedler
Larson
Lindstrom
Ragsdale
Sullivan
Welker
McFadyen
Pommer
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection
BILL:HB06-1007
TIME: 12:16:17 PM
MOVED:Larson
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 06-1007, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 9-2.
SECONDED:Sullivan
VOTE
Borodkin
Excused
Green
Excused
Hefley
Yes
Knoedler
Yes
Larson
Yes
Lindstrom
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Sullivan
Yes
Welker
Yes
McFadyen
Yes
Pommer
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:17 PM

The committee adjourned.