S_TRA_2016A 04/12/2016 Committee Summary

01:59 PM -- SB16-173



Senator Heath, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-173. Under current law, a local authority may authorize the use of golf cars on local roads but not on state highways. This bill allows a local authority to authorize a person driving a golf car on a local road to cross a state highway at an at-grade crossing in order to continue traveling on the local road. Local authorization can be by ordinance or resolution but only to the extent necessary for the local authority to regulate a local road and not to interfere with the normal operation of the state highway.



02:03 PM -- Mayor Joe Gierlach, representing the town of Nederland, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:11 PM -- Mayor John O'Brien, representing the town of Lyons, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:18 PM -- Jery Payne, representing the Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to respond to questions from the committee.







































02:21 PM



Senator Heath wrapped up his presentation of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.

02:23 PM -- HB16-1298



Senator Cooke, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1298. The bill modifies the statutes related to vehicle height, length, and weight.



Height. Under current law, the maximum legal height of vehicles is 13 feet, with the exception that vehicles 14 feet 6 inches can be operated on certain highways as designated by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The bill changes the maximum legal height of vehicles to 14 feet and 6 inches without exception. CDOT must designate highways with overhead highway structures that have less than 14 feet and 6 inches of vertical clearance, and a driver must not drive a vehicle under a structure if the vehicle's height exceeds CDOT's designated vertical clearance.



Length. The bill prohibits a driver from operating the following vehicle combinations:

• saddle mount vehicle combinations that exceed 97 feet in overall length;

• laden truck tractor-semitrailer combinations exceeding 75 feet in overall length;

• stinger-steered vehicle combinations for transporting automobiles or boats that exceed 80 feet in overall length; and

• towaway trailer transporter combinations that exceed 82 feet in overall length, carry property, exceed an overall weight of 26,000 pounds, consist of more than a single towing unit and two trailers or semitrailers, or do not constitute inventory property of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of the trailer or semitrailer.

Weight. The bill increases the gross weight maximum for vehicles or combinations of vehicles that contain an alternative fuel system from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds.



02:25 PM -- Andy Karsian, representing CDOT, testified in support of the bill.



02:26 PM -- R.J. Hicks, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

02:33 PM



The committee adjourned.