s_sa_2016a_2016-03-28t13:35:43z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/28/2016

02:25 PM -- HB16-1136



Senator Garcia, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1136. The bill, as amended by the House Transportation and Energy Committee, requires a common carrier engaged in the transportation of freight by railroad (i.e. the freight rail industry) to have at least two crew members aboard freight trains when in motion, with exceptions. The two exceptions to the two-crew requirement are: when the train is operated by remote in compliance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rule; and when operated by a hostler, utility employee, or distributed power helper service.



The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is required to report annually on the number of violations that occurred under the bill to the Transportation Legislation Review Committee. The report must include the type of cargo the freight train was carrying at the time of violation.



Finally, the bill self-repeals if a federal rule or law mandates the minimum number of crew members required for freight trains. If this condition occurs, the PUC director is required to notify the revisor of statutes.



02:27 PM -- Jeffrey Cox, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



02:31 PM -- Nick Colglazier, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill.



02:33 PM -- Jake Hamlin, representing International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Local 204, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:38 PM -- Brent Boydson, representing the Colorado Farm Bureau, testified in opposition to the bill.



02:40 PM -- Jason Wardrip, representing the Colorado AFL-CIO, testified in support of the bill.



02:45 PM -- Cathy Norris, representing the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad, testified in opposition to the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.



02:51 PM -- Paul Pearson, representing for Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Local 133, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



02:57 PM -- Dan O'Connell, representing the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:01 PM -- Michael Seliquini, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



03:07 PM -- Mike Ogborn, representing the Colorado short line railroads, testified in opposition to the bill. He provided a letter in opposition to the bill from Linda Bauer Darr (Attachment A). He responded to questions from the committee.



16SenateState0328AttachA.pdf



03:12 PM -- George Last, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



03:17 PM -- Alan Weed, representing Union Pacific Railroad, testified in opposition to the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



03:25 PM -- Jeffrey Maxfield, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



03:29 PM -- Sara Cassidy, representing Union Pacific Railroad, testified in opposition to the bill.





03:35 PM



Senator Garcia responded to questions from the committee.



03:37 PM -- Carl Smith, representing the SMART United Transportation Union, testified in support of the bill.



03:41 PM -- Sean Duffy, representing EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel Mill, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:43 PM -- Steffiney Quick, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:46 PM -- Jim Wodke, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



03:50 PM -- Michael Quick, representing Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Local 133, testified in support of the bill.





03:53 PM



Senator Garcia wrapped up his testimony of the bill and asked for a favorable recommendation.