Date: 01/13/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1027

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1027 to the CommitteePASS
TIE


02:37 PM -- House Bill 09-1027

Representative Rice, prime sponsor, discussed the merits of the House Bill 09-1027. The legislation authorizes, but does not mandate, transit agencies to place yield signs on the backside of a bus.

Representative Looper asked for information pertaining to current fines.

Representative Baumgardner requested information on the costs of placing yield signs and whether costs would be passed onto riderships. Representative Rice responded that costs would be absorbed into the transit agencies.

Representative Primavera asked whether drivers would have to yield if buses do not have yield signs. Representative Rice responded that the obligation already exists, but makes placing signs easier.


02:42 PM -- Mr. Philo Shelton, representing the City of Steamboat Springs, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Shelton provided a visual display of a yield sign on a bus. Delays caused by failures to yield result in bus delays and reduce efficiency. Other states have similar programs in place, specifically those with high traffic and congestion issues. Representative King asked about potential safety issues that might occur if yield signs flip out while automobiles pass. Representative Looper asked about retrofitting costs. Mr. Shelton responded that costs do exist, but such signs lead to more efficiency.

02:47 PM -- Mr. Lee Kemp, representing the Regional Transportation District (RTD), testified in support of the bill. The RTD board is in support of the legislation. Currently, RTD is not planning to install yield signs immediately, but would examine it for future procurements. Representative Looper asked for the percentage of drivers that do not yield to buses. Mr. Kemp did not know such statistics, but did explain that signs would enhance drivers yielding to buses. Representative Baumgardner asked whether the yield signs would flash similar to the operation of a turn signal. Mr. Kemp responded that yield signs illuminate similar to a high level "stop" sign already on vehicles.
BILL:HB09-1027
TIME: 02:50:49 PM
MOVED:Looper
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 09-1027 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 10-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Baumgardner
VOTE
Baumgardner
Yes
Fischer
Yes
Frangas
Yes
King S.
Yes
Looper
Yes
McNulty
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Vaad
Excused
Green
Yes
McFadyen
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS