Colorado Legislative Council Staff

STATE and LOCAL

FISCAL NOTE

TABOR Refund impact

No State General Fund Impact

State Cash Fund Impact

Drafting Number:

Prime Sponsor(s):

LLS 98-277

Rep. Sinclair

 

Date:

Bill Status:

Fiscal Analyst:

January 31, 1998

House Transportation

Scott Nachtrieb (866-4752)

 

TITLE:            CONCERNING A REQUIREMENT THAT CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES USE SPECIFIED LANES WHEN OPERATING ON HIGHWAYS.


Summary of Legislation


            The bill would require a person who is operating a vehicle over 12,000 pounds or a high-profile vehicle on a limited-access highway to drive in the far right lane of the highway except when:

            •   passing another vehicle;

            •   avoiding a vehicle merging onto the highway;

            •  necessary to enter or exit the highway;

            •  a special hazard exists; or

            •  necessary to comply with an official traffic control device.


            A person convicted for this violation would be subject to a $50 fine, a $6.00 surcharge and a 3 point assessment against the driver's license. 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 1999/2000

State Revenues

General Fund

Highway Users Tax Fund



Increased Fine Revenue



Increased Fine Revenue

State Expenditures

General Fund


 


 

FTE Position Change

None

None

Local Government Impact — Increased fines from traffic citations and HUTF distributions


State Revenues


            The Highway Users Tax Fund would receive additional revenue from each conviction of a traffic citation written by the Colorado State Patrol and local government peace officers filing citation in county court. County courts would also receive $6.00 from the surcharge imposed. The surcharge is deposited into the Witnesses and Victims Assistance Fund in each judicial district. The amount of the increased fine and surcharge revenue has been estimated to be minimal.


State Expenditures


            The Department of Revenue would have increased costs for each conviction. The department could absorb 59,280 citations before additional resources would be required. It is estimated that this bill would not require additional resources for the department.


            The three point assessment against a persons driver’s license may cause a person to have a driver’s license restraint action taken against them sooner than without this violation. However, the number of drivers having their license revoked or suspended as a result of this violation would be insignificant.


Local Government Impact


            Local governments would also receive additional revenue for each conviction of a traffic citation issued by municipal courts. The increased revenue has been estimated to be minimal. Local governments would also receive additional HUTF distributions from increased fines that flow to the HUTF. The amount of increased distributions has been estimated to be minimal.


Spending Authority


            This fiscal note implies that no additional spending authority would be required to implement the provisions of this bill.


Departments Contacted


            Revenue