S_FIN_2017A 02/16/2017 Committee Summary

10:06 AM -- SB17-027



Senator Court, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-027, which increases the penalty for texting and driving to a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense, which carries a fine of $300, a jail sentence of 10 to 90 days, or both. Additionally, if a person causes bodily injury or death to another person, the punishment increases to a class 1 misdemeanor; this carries a fine of $300 to $1,000, a sentence of 10 days or 1 year in prison, or both. A law enforcement officer must see a driver texting in a manner that caused the driver to drive in a careless and imprudent manner. Committee discussion ensued on the merits of the bill.



10:16 AM -- Susan Dane, representing Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving (CORD), testified in support of the bill. Ms. Dane and Senator Court responded to committee questions.



10:20 AM -- Connie Martin, representing CORD, testified in support of the bill.



10:25 AM -- Lori Taggart, representing CORD, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Taggart and Ms. Dane responded to committee questions.

10:39 AM -- SB17-148



Senator Priola, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-148, which continues the Office of Boxing and the Colorado State Boxing Commission, currently scheduled to repeal on July 1, 2017, through September 1, 2026, and implements recommendations contained in a Department of Regulatory Agencies sunset report.



10:40 AM -- Jeanine McEy, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

10:42 AM -- SB17-125



Senator Guzman, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-125, which allows exonerated persons eligible to receive compensation from the state to receive a lump sum payment in lieu of annual payments at any point after at least one annual payment is made. Under the bill, the exonerated person must provide written notice to the State Court Administrator in the Judicial Department, the Governor, and the General Assembly of his or her intent to receive a lump sum payment. The exonerated person must submit documentation that he or she has completed a personal financial management course and that he or she has acquired and is committed to maintaining a qualified health insurance plan. Following the receipt of the required documentation, the state has up to one year to pay the lump sum payment.





10:45 AM



The committee recessed.





10:51 AM



The committee reconvened.

10:52 AM -- SB17-153



Senators Crowder and Garcia, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 17-153, which replaces the Southwest Chief Rail Line Economic Development, Rural Tourism, and Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance Commission with the Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission, also housed in the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The Southwest Chief and Front Range Passenger Rail Commission assumes the powers and duties of the old commission, which was set to repeal on July 1, 2017, as a Type 1 transfer. These duties include the coordination of efforts to ensure that track repairs and upgrades required for the continuation of existing Southwest Chief Rail service in Colorado are completed, extending rail service to Pueblo, and exploring the benefits of extending service to Walsenberg.



The Southwest Chief Rail Line Economic Development, Rural Tourism, and Infrastructure Repair and Maintenance Commission fund will continue, and the commission may expend money from the fund to cover administrative and staffing costs, as well as the costs of necessary studies. The commission is increased from 9 to 13 commissioners. Of the voting members, five are appointed by the Governor and will represent different stakeholders, five are appointed from metropolitan planning organizations, and one member is appointed by the Regional Transportation District. The commission also includes two non-voting members: an employee of CDOT and an employee of Amtrak.



The commission is also tasked with developing draft legislation that facilitates the development of a passenger rail system that provides service in and along the I-25 corridor. The commission must present the draft legislation to the Local Government committees of the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2017.



10:54 AM -- Jim Souby, representing the Colorado Rail Passenger Association, testified in support of the bill.



10:56 AM -- Jack Wheeler, representing the Colorado Rail Passenger Association, testified in support of the bill.



10:56 AM -- Robert Brewster, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



10:58 AM



Senators Crowder and Garcia wrapped up their presentation of SB 17-153 and responded to committee questions.

11:07 AM



The committee adjourned.