h_tra_2016a_2016-04-21t12:25:44z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/21/2016

12:26 PM -- SB 16-123



Representative Singer, prime sponsor, came to the table to present Senate Bill 16-123. The bill prohibits the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) from requiring a vehicle owner to purchase a switchable transponder or other device in order to drive on a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) or toll (HOT) lane on a state highway, unless this technology is provided to vehicle owners free of charge and so long as HOV users are not charged a toll. In addition, CDOT must fully reimburse all vehicle owners who have previously purchased a switchable transponder. Finally, the Transportation Commission must provide written notice to the General Assembly during the legislative session a year before CDOT, the High Performance Transportation Enterprise (HPTE), or an HPTE private partner requires that any vehicle carry three or more individuals to travel toll-free in an HOV or HOT lane (HOV-3).



12:32 PM -- Director Shailen Bhatt and David Spector, representing CDOT, testified in opposition to the bill. Director Bhatt and Mr. Spector responded to questions from the committee.

12:51 PM -- Tim Stewart, representing the E-470 Public Highway Authority, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Stewart responded to questions from the committee.

12:59 PM -- Mayor Herb Atchison, representing the City of Westminster, Denver Regional Council of Governments, Metro Mayors Caucus, and US 36 Commuting Solutions, testified in opposition to the bill.

01:02 PM -- Matthew Appelbaum, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Appelbaum responded to questions from the committee.

01:11 PM -- Debra Baskett, representing US 36 Commuting Solutions, testified in opposition to the bill.

01:12 PM -- Mike Salisbury, representing the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, testified in opposition to the bill.

01:14 PM -- Jim Bensberg, representing the Powersports Dealers Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.





01:17 PM -- Bruce Downs, representing Abate of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He distributed a copy of the federal law addressing motorcycles qualifying as HOV (Attachment A), and a list of reasons why motorcycles should not have to use transponders in order to use HOV lanes (Attachment B). Mr. Stewart returned to the table to respond to a question from the committee.



160421 AttachA.pdf160421 AttachB.pdf



01:23 PM -- Deb "Tiger" Chandler, representing the Confederation of Clubs and the Coalition of Independent Riders, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Stewart returned to the table and responded to questions from the committee.

01:28 PM -- Kirk Fry, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

01:29 PM -- Duane Rohlert, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



01:33 PM



Representative Singer explained amendments L.012, L.015, and L.018 (Attachments C, D, and E).



160421 AttachC.pdf160421 AttachD.pdf160421 AttachE.pdf

01:38 PM



Representative Buck explained amendment L.013 (Attachment F).



160421 AttachF.pdf

01:40 PM



Representative Singer made closing comments and the committee discussed the merits of the bill.

01:46 PM



The committee was adjourned.