Date: 02/18/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1091

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved that House Bill 09-1091 be referred to the CPASS



01:38 PM

Senator Williams, Chair, called the meeting to order.

01:38 PM -- House Bill 09-1091

Senator Romer, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 09-1091, concerning a requirement that carbon monoxide alarms be installed in residential properties.

The following persons testified in regard to House Bill 09-1091:

01:39 PM --
Nick Nuanes, Denver, representing himself, spoke of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. He said that these accidents occur often due to the lack of proper ventilation in homes and the use of appliances that are not designed to be used in a living space. He said that approximately 100 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States. He said that the alarms are similar in size to a smoke detector and that the devices should be placed in sleeping areas. He noted that the devices cost from $15 to $40. He said that approximately 15 other states have similar statutes.

01:43 PM -- Leslie Feuerborn, representing SAFE Kids, supported House Bill 09-1091 and noted that it will help to ensure the safety of children. She commented on the long-term consequences of carbon monoxide poisoning.

01:50 PM -- Neil Rosenberger, representing Red White and Blue Fire, commented on the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and supported House Bill 09-1091.

01:55 PM -- Don Johnson, Windsor, representing himself, spoke of the death of his daughter in a carbon monoxide poisoning incident. He commented on the life of his daughter and supported House Bill 09-1091. He said that House Bill 09-1091 is a bill that will prevent unnecessary deaths in the future.

02:01 PM --
Christina Fedolphi, Brunswick, Maine, representing herself, commented on the lives of her family members who died in a carbon monoxide poisoning accident. She supported House Bill 09-1091.

02:06 PM --
Kathryn Feuerbach, Brookline, Massachusetts, representing herself, commented on her the lives of her four family members who died in a carbon monoxide poisoning accident. She spoke of the fear that the accident has brought into the lives of children who knew the victims.

02:13 PM --
Dr. Eric Lavonas, Denver, representing himself, said that carbon monoxide is the "#1 poisoning killer in the United States," excluding illegal drugs. He said that carbon monoxide poisoning is often misdiagnosed, and that it kills an average of eight Coloradans each year. He spoke of the incorporation of detector requirements into business codes. He said that about one-quarter of survivors of this poisoning have brain impairment.

02:20 PM --
Nancy Burke, representing the Colorado Apartment Association, supported House Bill 09-1091. She said that residents should be comfortable and safe in their homes.

02:21 PM -- Michael Franson, Denver, representing himself, spoke of his friends who died in a carbon monoxide poisoning accident. He supported House Bill 09-1091, and commented on states that have recently adopted requirements for detectors.

02:26 PM -- Jean Rittenour, Portland, Oregon, representing herself, spoke of her family members who died in a carbon monoxide poisoning accident. She commented on the cherished memories that she has of her family members. She said that House Bill 09-1091 will help others to avoid a senseless death.

02:29 PM --
Andrea Glass, Breckenridge, representing herself, spoke of a "close call" she had with carbon monoxide poisoning. She said that she and her family were in their home while it contained toxic levels of carbon monoxide. She and her family were treated at a hospital for the poisoning.
BILL:HB09-1091
TIME: 02:37:24 PM
MOVED:Williams
MOTION:Moved that House Bill 09-1091 be referred to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 4-0-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Boyd
Yes
Cadman
Yes
Schultheis
Excused
Bacon
Yes
Williams
Yes
Final YES: 4 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:38 PM


The committee meeting recessed.