Date: 07/20/2012
Final
Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA) Presentation
TRANSPORTATION LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE
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11:29 AM -- Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA) Presentation
Mr. Greg Fulton, Executive Director of the CMCA, and Mr. RJ Hicks, Executive Director of the Western State Transportation Alliance (WSTA), introduced themselves to the committee. A handout was distributed to the committee (Attachment D). Mr. Fulton stated that in 2011, trucks transported more than 7.7 billion tons of freight and that 90 percent of the manufactured freight commodities are transported by truck. He commented that trucking employed almost 90,000 people in 2011 in the 17,330 trucking companies located in Colorado. He discussed trucking jobs in Colorado, including average salaries and tax revenues generated by the trucking industry, and provided examples of vendors and businesses that support trucking in the state. He discussed the impact of state taxes and fees on the trucking industry. Committee discussed ensued concerning state taxes and fees.
11:45 AM
Senator Newell asked for information concerning state taxes. Mr. Fulton commented on the need to restructure the specific ownership tax (SOT), particularly in regard to commercial vehicles. He discussed the status of the trucking industry in Colorado in relation to neighboring states.
11:48 AM -- Mr. Fulton commented on truck safety and said that safety in the trucking industry has consistently improved over the last 20 years. He stated that the trucking industry paid $402 million, or 36 percent, of Colorado's federal and state roadway taxes and fees in 2009. He commented on CMCA's strategies and actions regarding I-70. He further discussed key issues and concerns for Colorado trucking companies, including truck driver shortages. He discussed actions that would improve the business environment for trucking operations, including recruitment and training programs for drivers and modifying the tax and fee structure. He discussed an idea for legislation for consideration by the TLRC to require noncommercial vehicles to have adequate snow tires or traction devices during inclement weather conditions and increase penalties for drivers of noncompliant vehicles in certain circumstances. Senator Newell asked for more information concerning job loss data. Senator Schwartz asked for staff to analyze the SOT in Colorado and neighboring states. Mr. Fulton commented that the CMCA has data concerning the SOT and will coordinate with Legislative Council Staff concerning Senator Schwartz's request. Representative Tyler asked for a proforma income statement for a tractor doing over the road hauling.
12:11 PM -- Mr. Hicks distributed a copy of his presentation to the committee (Attachment E). He discussed the WSTA mission and major transportation issues in the western states, including funding systems and uniformity of laws and regulations. He commented on transportation funding and the need for state flexibility in spending. He stated that a long-term trust fund commitment is needed at the federal level. He discussed the gasoline tax and stated that WSTA strongly supports the federal and state funding of the transportation system. He commented that the transportation industry would support a gas tax increase, according to WSTA. He discussed three WSTA efforts in 2012:
- oil field hours of service rulemaking process;
- support western-permitted transformational vehicle use by the United States Department of Transportation; and
- develop regional model legislation with Independent Contractors in the transportation industry.
12:19 PM
The committee recessed.