23763EDC711D96C587258B02007F5421 Hearing Summary

Senators Cutter and Exum, co-prime sponsors, introduced and explained House Bill 24-1030 Railroad Safety Requirements. The bill establishes new safety requirements on railroads operating in the state and creates the Front Range Passenger Rail District Maintenance and Safety Fund.

Carl Smith, representing International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, testified in support of the bill. Beverly Stables, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill. Paul Pearson, representing Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, testified in support of the bill.

The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.

The prior panel continued to answer questions from the committee.

Adrian Guerrero, representing Union Pacific Railroad, testified in opposition to the bill. David Ohara, representing Union Pacific Railroad, testified in opposition to the bill. Andy Williams, representing BNSF Railway, testified in opposition to the bill. Jacob Belgrad, representing GreenLatinos, testified in support of the bill. Michael Ogborn, representing American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

The prior panel answered questions from the committee.

The prior panel continued to answer questions from the committee.

Rich Werner, representing Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance - Upstate Colorado Economic Development, testified in opposition to the bill. Angie Binder, representing Colorado Petroleum Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Rachel Beck, representing Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill. Adam Weiskittel, representing BNSF Railway Company, testified in opposition to the bill.

The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.

Derek Lampkin, representing BNSF Railway, testified in opposition to the bill. Rod Doerr, representing Union Pacific Railroad - Chief Safety Officer, testified in opposition to the bill. Carly West, representing Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill. Meghan Dollar, representing Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill.

The prior panel answered questions from the committee.

Robert Lindgren, representing Colorado AFL-CIO, testified in support of the bill. Natalie Miller, representing Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen National Auxiliary, testified in support of the bill.

Robert Bavier, representing Union Pacific Railroad - Public Safety, testified on the bill.

Renee Larrarte, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Vince Verna, representing Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, testified in support of the bill. Katherine Merlin, representing WildEarth Guardians, testified in support of the bill.

The prior panel answered questions from the committee.

Elena Santarella, representing BlueGreen Alliance, testified in support of the bill. Greg Hardy, representing Colorado Trout Unlimited, testified in support of the bill.

Dennis Dougherty, representing AFL-CIO, testified in support of the bill. Omar Ledesma, representing SMART-TD, testified in support of the bill.

Written testimony is included as Attachment G.

The sponsors requested
that the bill be laid over for action only.

The bill was laid
over for action only at a later date.