Second Regular Session
               Seventieth General Assembly
                    STATE OF COLORADO
                                                 INTRODUCED
                                                           
                                                           
 LLS NO. 16-0810.01 Jason Gelender x4330 HOUSE BILL 16-1325
                    HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
 Garnett,  Becker K., Melton, Moreno, Pabon, Rosenthal, Singer, Tyler, Winter
 
                   SENATE SPONSORSHIP
 (None),
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 House Committees
 Senate Committees
 
 
 Transportation & Energy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                         A BILL FOR AN ACT
       Concerning a requirement that the department of
            transportation post messages about precinct caucus
            and statewide election dates on its variable messaging
            signs.
       
       
                           Bill Summary
       
            (Note:  This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
       not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
       passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
       applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
       http://www.leg.state.co.us/billsummaries.)
       
            Subject to specified limitations, the bill requires the department of
       transportation (CDOT) to display messages about the date of upcoming
       precinct caucuses and general, primary, or statewide odd-year elections
       on its variable message signs. CDOT must display the messages for the
       week up to and including the date of the caucus or election, and the
       secretary of state must notify CDOT of each upcoming precinct caucus
       and election date and the message display requirement no later than 21
       days before the precinct caucus or election date.
            The specified limitations are that:
                 The requirement to display precinct caucus and election
                 date messages does not alter any procedures or
                 requirements specified in law or in department of public
                 safety or CDOT administrative rules or limit CDOT's
                 discretion concerning the display of emergency alerts on its
                 variable message signs;
                 CDOT may give priority to such alerts and to other safety
                 related messages, including messages regarding adverse
                 weather or road conditions, over the precinct caucus and
                 election date messages; and
                 CDOT may not display the precinct caucus and election
                 date messages:
                      Unless it obtains federal approval from the U.S.
                      department of transportation (USDOT) or one of its
                      agencies; or
                      If USDOT or one of its agencies advise CDOT that
                      displaying the messages will result in the reduction
                      of federal aid highway funds to the state.
       
       
       
       Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
            SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 43-1-422 as
       follows:
            43-1-422.  Use of department variable message signs to provide
       voting related information. (1)  Subject to the limitations specified
       in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the department shall
       display messages regarding the date of each precinct caucus and
       general, primary, or statewide odd-year election on its variable
       message signs. The department shall display the messages
       beginning seven days before the precinct caucus or election
       date and ending at 7 p.m. on the precinct caucus or election date.
       No later than twenty-one days before the date of each precinct
       caucus or general, primary, or statewide odd-year election, the
       secretary of state shall notify the department of the upcoming
       precinct caucus or election and the requirements of this
       subsection (1).
            (2)  Nothing in this section alters any procedures or
       requirements specified in law or in administrative rules
       promulgated by the department of public safety or the
       department or limits the discretion of the department
       concerning the display on its variable message signs of
       emergency alerts, including Amber alerts issued pursuant to
       section 24-33.5-415.7, C.R.S., missing senior citizen and person
       with developmental disabilities alerts issued pursuant to
       section 24-33.5-415.8, C.R.S., blue alerts issued pursuant to
       section 24-33.5-416.5, C.R.S., and Medina alerts issued pursuant
       to section 24-33.5-416.7, C.R.S. The department may give priority
       to such alerts and to other safety related messages, including
       messages regarding adverse weather or road conditions, over
       the precinct caucus and election date messages required by
       subsection (1) of this section.
            (3)  The department shall not display the precinct caucus
       and election date messages required by subsection (1) of this
       section unless the United States department of transportation
       or one of its agencies has expressly approved the display of the
       messages. The department shall promptly seek the required
       approval. If the United States department of transportation or
       one of its agencies advises the department that the display of
       the messages will result in the reduction of federal aid highway
       funds to the state pursuant to 23 U.S.C. sec. 131, the department
       shall not display the messages.
            SECTION 2.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds,
       determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
       preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.