Colorado Legislative Council Staff

LOCAL

FISCAL NOTE

No State General Fund Impact

Local Government Revenue Impact


Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 97-087

Rep. June

Sen. Powers

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

November 4, 1997

House Transportation

Scott Nachtrieb (866-4752)

 

TITLE:      CONCERNING THE THEFT OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.


Summary of Legislation


            The bill would make it a class 2 petty offense, punishable by a fine of up to $100, to use public transportation without paying the proper fare, carrying proof, or showing proof, upon demand, that the fare has been paid. The bill will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the ninety-day period after adjournment sine die of the General Assembly, or on the date of the official declaration of the vote of the people as proclaimed by the Governor, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to Article V, Section 1 (3) of the State Constitution.


STATE FISCAL IMPACT SUMMARY

FY 1998/99

FY 1999/00

State Revenues

 

 

State Expenditures

 

 

FTE Position Change

 

 

Local Government Impact — Increase revenue to entities which provide public transportation services.


Local Government Impact


            This bill would affect local governmental entities which provide public transportation services. This bill would primarily impact light rail or other services where an employee of the agency does not witness the payment of the fee at the time the person enters the vehicle. The public transportation service provider would experience a revenue increase from people who may have avoided the fare in the past that would now pay the fare and avoid the possible fine imposed. The amount of the increase in fares would be minimal to the total transportation service budget.


            Under current law, ticket enforcement is based on a local city ordinance. For the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) light rail, ticket verification is contracted to a security company. A rider in violation receives a warning for the first offense and their name is placed in a database. On second and subsequent violations, RTD managers and supervisors or local police officers may issue a citation. RTD has indicated that approximately 238 tickets were issued under the current practice. Local governments that have jurisdiction over the tickets would receive additional fine revenue. Denver’s current ordinance imposes a $26 fine for the first offense, $51 for the second, and $76 for the third and subsequent offenses. This bill would allow a court to impose a fine of up to $100 for each offense. The amount of fines revenue that may be collected has not been estimated at this time.


Departments Contacted


Transportation