Date: 05/03/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1407

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A). Th
Refer House Bill 06-1407 to the Committee of the W		PASS
PASS


01:43 PM -- House Bill 06-1407

Senator Boyd, sponsor, presented House Bill 06-1407 concerning workers' compensation coverage for an independent contractor working as a driver. The bill exempts an independent contractor operating a motor vehicle for hire as a taxicab under a certificate from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) from carrying workers' compensation or a private insurance policy that provides similar coverage.

01:47 PM -- Kyle Brown, Metro Taxi, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Brown represents three taxi companies. He stressed that the bill affects only taxicab drivers. He discussed the current workers' compensation insurance situation faced by taxicab drivers. He spoke about the difficulties that would be faced by drivers if they were required to obtain workers' compensation coverage. He stated that the only opposition to the bill comes from attorneys who represent workers' compensation claimants.

01:49 PM -- Michael Kaplan, spoke in opposition to the bill. Mr. Kaplan is an attorney who represents workers' compensation claimants. He discussed the status of independent contractors and workers' compensation insurance. He disagreed with testimony of prior witnesses with regards to opposition to the bill. Mr. Kaplan responded to questions from the committee regarding the difference between workers' compensation plans and occupational insurance plans.

01:56 PM -- Ray Baldwin, Metro Taxi, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Baldwin drives a taxi. He stated that he currently has adequate coverage and additional coverage would be burdensome to drivers and their passengers.

01:58 PM -- Jack Kaufman, Denver Yellow Cab, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Kaufman has been a taxicab driver for over 30 years. He reiterated the testimony of the prior witness.

02:00 PM -- Bill Imig, Yellow Cab of Denver, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Imig is an attorney representing Yellow Cab of Denver. He discussed the status of taxicab drivers as independent contractors. He talked about adequate insurance coverage for drivers. He responded to questions from the committee regarding the difference between employees and independent contractors.


02:04 PM

Senator Boyd wrapped up her presentation of the bill.
BILL:HB06-1407
TIME: 02:05:12 PM
MOVED:Dyer
MOTION:Moved prepared amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The motion passed on a vote of 5-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Bacon
Yes
Dyer
Yes
Gordon
Yes
Mitchell
No
Traylor
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Grossman
Excused
Not Final YES: 5 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:HB06-1407
TIME: 02:06:10 PM
MOVED:Dyer
MOTION:Refer House Bill 06-1407 to the Committee of the Whole, as amended, with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a vote of 5-1.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Bacon
Yes
Dyer
Yes
Gordon
No
Mitchell
Yes
Traylor
Yes
Shaffer
Yes
Grossman
Excused
Final YES: 5 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS