Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB05-1030

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Votes:
Action Taken:
Moved Amendment L.004 (Attachment C). The motion
Moved HB 05-1030, as amended, to the Committee of
Moved L.001 (Attachment D). The motion passed wit		Pass Without Objection
PASS
Pass Without Objection


01:43 PM -- House Bill 05-1030

Representative Sullivan, prime sponsor, explained House Bill 05-1030 concerning private toll roads and requiring the board of directors of the statewide tolling enterprise to fix toll rates for any private toll road that is located in more than one county. He responded to committee questions. Representative Sullivan indicated that the front-range counties endorse this bill. He provided a map of the proposed front range transportation corridor (Attachment A) and a compilation of newspaper articles (Attachment B) concerning the proposed toll road.

The following people testified:

01:49 PM -- Mike Acree, from the Douglas County Sheriff's office, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Acree reviewed information regarding commercial truck driver accidents on Interstate 25.

01:56 PM -- Ray Wells, representing the Front Range Toll Road Company (FRTRC), president of this private corporation, spoke in support of the bill. He provided the following background information on the history of this proposed toll road. He indicated that the company has worked closely with CDOT, and other entities, to propose this corridor. Mr. Wells reviewed the various court cases and current statutes that relate to this legislation. He noted that current statute could dictate seven different toll rates along the toll road should the current law not be amended, as the toll road would run through several different counties. This legislation would allow the Colorado Tolling Enterprise to set a uniform toll rate for the road. He explained that the toll road will pay taxes because it is a private enterprise.

02:09 PM

Representative Cadman asked Mr. Wells about the company's powers of condemnation to acquire land. He asked how many private property owners will have to sell their land to develop this road. Mr. Wells believes that number may be in the range of 200 owners, and the land includes state land and various ranches. Representative Cadman referenced recent newspaper articles on this project. Mr. Wells indicated that his company would have the same condemnation rights as the state transportation department.

02:18 PM

Representative McFadyen asked that Mr. Wells state on the record that the intent of this legislation is not to enforce or mandate that the trucking industry would have to use toll roads. Mr. Wells indicated that this was not the intent. He explained that this bill has no legislative intent to mandate the use of toll roads by the trucking industry. He responded to Rep. McFadyen's questions.

Representative Pommer asked how many of the approximate 200 private property owners he had approached. Mr. Wells said his company has discussed the toll road with many of the property owners. He doesn't believe the company will conduct a lot of condemnation. Mr. Wells explained that his company will conduct the same condemnation process as CDOT and follow the same environmental impact studies required of any other project.

02:29 PM

Mr. Wells indicated that the company has a full series of studies to be performed to adhere to the necessary federal requirements for building a road of this nature. He continued to respond to committee questions.


02:39 PM -- Mr. Dee Wisor, an attorney representing Front Range Toll Road Company, explained the property tax implications of the toll road.

02:40 PM -- Herman Stockinger, representing the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), had no opinion to express on this bill, but was available for questions only. He said CDOT anticipates working with the FRTRC. He explained that if the toll road becomes a reality, CDOT believes the benefits from the toll road will outweigh the costs.

02:42 PM -- Glenn Scott, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill. He indicated that this bill is not a new concept, and believes it is extremely complimentary to the Regional Transportation District's project, Fastracks.
BILL:HB05-1030
TIME: 02:47:07 PM
MOVED:Ragsdale
MOTION:Moved Amendment L.004 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:McFadyen
VOTE
Borodkin
Cadman
Green
Hefley
Knoedler
Larson
Lindstrom
Ragsdale
Welker
McFadyen
Pommer
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB05-1030
TIME: 02:52:32 PM
MOVED:Larson
MOTION:Moved L.001 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:McFadyen
VOTE
Borodkin
Cadman
Green
Hefley
Knoedler
Larson
Lindstrom
Ragsdale
Welker
McFadyen
Pommer
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB05-1030
TIME: 02:52:46 PM
MOVED:Ragsdale
MOTION:Moved HB 05-1030, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole, with a favorable recommendation. The vote passed unanimously.
SECONDED:Borodkin
VOTE
Borodkin
Yes
Cadman
Yes
Green
Yes
Hefley
Yes
Knoedler
Yes
Larson
Yes
Lindstrom
Yes
Ragsdale
Yes
Welker
Yes
McFadyen
Yes
Pommer
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS