Bill Summary for Bill Number

Date: 02/14/2006

Final
Confirmation of Transportation Commission

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Refer the appointees Douglas E. Aden, Gregory B. M	PASS

02:58 PM -- Presentation by the Transportation Commission

Douglas E. Aden, Gregory B. McKnight, George H. Tempel, B. Stephens Parker, and Henry R. Sobanet introduced themselves to committee members. Copies of the members' resumes and application letters were distributed to the committee (Attachment C).

03:01 PM

Commissioner Mcknight explained the powers and duties of the Transportation Commission. The Transportation Commission:

formulates general policy with respect to the management, construction, and maintenance of public highways and other transportation systems in the state;
prescribes the administrative practices to be followed by the executive director and chief engineer;
advises and makes recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly relative to transportation policy; and
makes all necessary and reasonable orders, rules and regulations necessary to carry out the transportation programs of the department.

03:04 PM

Mr. Sobanet explained the budget for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). He distributed a handout that explains the distribution of funds by investment categories (Attachment D). Mr. Sobanet answered questions from committee members and stated that the growth of off-the-top funding is slowing.

03:18 PM

Commissioner Parker, explained the planning process of the Transportation Commission. He stated that the there are ten Transportation Planning Regions across the state that meet monthly. The input provided at the meetings are incorporated into the statewide transportation plan.

03:27 PM

Commissioner Tempel described the district he represents. He stated that the there are 11 commissioners on the Transportation Commission who represent the 64 counties in Colorado.

03:31 PM

Commissioner Aden stated that he represents District 7 and explained the Colorado Tolling Enterprise (CTE). He stated that the Transportation Commission has identified additional corridors that are potential tolling candidates and described those corridors. He stated that the CTE does not currently collect tolls and is being financed by funds through the Transportation Commission. Commissioner Aden also explained that the earmark process of the federal government has forced the Transportation Commission to re-prioritize projects. Commissioner Aden answered questions from committee members.

03:46 PM

Commissioner McKnight responded to questions regarding funding for bridge programs. He stated that transportation funding varies from state to state and other states are experience a shortage in funding.

03:48 PM

Commissioner Aden added that relying on fuel tax at the federal and state level for transportation funding is not sufficient. He stated that the current commitment to finish CDOT's 7th pot project is $3 billion. He added that inflation continues to be a challenge for the Transportation Commission.

03:54 PM

Commissioner McKnight stated that the current level of funding is not enough to maintain the current infrastructure level. He added that all the Transportation Commission members have critical projects in their districts. He also answered questions regarding widening the current highways in the mountain areas and stated that there is not a solution in sight that is under $5 billion.

04:02 PM

Mr. Sobanet responded to questions regarding the allocation of funds to the various districts and stated that Colorado is experiencing a decrease in funds for transportation and fuel tax is decreasing.

04:08 PM -- Confirmation of Members of the Transportation Commission

The appointees for the Transportation Commission explained their reasons for wanting to serve and be appointed or reappointed on the Transportation Commission.


BILL:	Conf 06-Transportation Commission
TIME:	04:19:56 PM
MOVED:	May R.
MOTION:	Refer the appointees Douglas E. Aden, Gregory B. McKnight, George H. Tempel, B. Stephens Parker, and Henry R. Sobanet to the Senate Floor with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 6-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Hagedorn	Excused
	Isgar	Yes
	May R.	Yes
	Spence	Yes
	Wiens	Yes
	Williams	Yes
	Takis	Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS