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Second Regular Session

Sixty-first General Assembly

LLS NO. R98­0931.01 EBD

STATE OF COLORADO




BY REPRESENTATIVE Smith;

also SENATOR Bishop.

TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 98-1038


WHEREAS, Commuter airlines provide an important link between smaller communities and urban centers of Colorado, helping to maintain connections between the residents of this state who live in both small communities and urban centers of this state; and

WHEREAS, Commuter airlines provide similar benefits to the residents of the states that surround Colorado; and

WHEREAS, Stable and viable commuter service improves the overall hub service to the region; and

WHEREAS, Determining the current viability of commuter airlines as indicated by the number of flights made by such airlines, the originations and destinations of flights, and whether such flights have been cancelled or delayed, and the costs of tickets for such flights, is important to the formation of sound public policy; and

WHEREAS, Collective action between Colorado officials and officials from the surrounding states would be beneficial to the future of commuter airline service; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Sixty­first General Assembly of the State of Colorado, the Senate concurring herein:

(1)  That there shall be a committee to meet in the interim after the 1998 Second Regular Session of the Sixty­first General Assembly to review and discuss the current viability of the commuter airlines operating in Colorado and to make recommendations on improvements in commuter air services in Colorado. Such committee shall attempt to meet with representatives from the states of Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, and Utah to review and discuss the commuter airlines operating in Colorado and the surrounding states and make recommendations on improvements in commuter air services in these states. Such interim committee shall consist of six members of the General Assembly. Three of such members shall be from the Senate, comprising two appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Minority Leader, and three of such members shall be from the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two from the majority party and one from the minority party. The committee may consider, but need not be limited to, the following:

(a)  Commuter airline services provided to the residents of Colorado, and if appropriate, residents of the surrounding states;

(b)  The availability, cost, timeliness, and long­term viability of such commuter airline services provided to the residents of Colorado, and if appropriate, residents of the surrounding states;

(c)  Findings and recommendations for improving the availability, cost, timeliness, and long­term viability of such commuter airline services provided to the residents of Colorado, and if appropriate, residents of the surrounding states; and

(d) Findings and recommendations for collective action between Colorado, the surrounding states, if appropriate, and the federal government for improving the availability, cost, timeliness, and long­term viability of such commuter airline services provided to the residents of Colorado, and if appropriate, residents of the surrounding states.

(2)  That in conducting such meetings, the interim committee shall attempt to consult with the Colorado Division of Aeronautics and similar delegations made up of elected officials and state aviation officials from the states of Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, and Utah, and such other states as may have significant commuter airline links with Colorado. The committee may consult with appropriate local, state, and federal agencies and interested members of the public and may hold and attend public hearings in locations outside the Denver metropolitan area, and outside the state of Colorado as may be deemed necessary for purposes of the meetings. The meetings may involve the participation of officials and employees of commuter airlines operating in Colorado and the surrounding states. The committee may meet two or more times to conduct its business. The meetings shall not require additional staff for any state agency or any additional appropriation to such state agency.

(3)  That the Legislative Council shall report the findings and recommendations of the interim committee to the 1999 First Regular Session of the Sixty­second General Assembly.

(4)  That all expenditures incurred in the conduct of the meetings enumerated in this resolution shall be approved by the chairperson of the Legislative Council and paid by vouchers and warrants drawn as provided by law from funds allocated to the Legislative Council from appropriations made by the General Assembly.


Created: 4/16/98 Updated: 4/16/98