H_TRA_2016A 02/03/2016 01:32:06 PM Committee Summary

01:32 PM



Representative Mitsch Bush, vice chair, called the meeting to order.



01:33 PM -- HB 16-1056



Representative Tyler, prime sponsor, came to the table to present House Bill 16-1056. The bill, recommended by the Transportation Legislation Review Committee, broadens the records search employed by the Department of Revenue (DOR) to locate owners and lienholders of abandoned motor vehicles. Under current law, only Colorado records are searched in order to locate the owner or lienholder of an abandoned vehicle. Under the bill, the DOR must perform a Colorado records search as well as a national records search using a qualified entity that has a national database and that can retrieve records based both on the vehicle's VIN (vehicle identification number) and registration number (license plate). The qualified entity must also be able to provide appropriate owner and lienholder contact information. The bill also aligns provisions related to vehicles abandoned on public lands to vehicles abandoned on private land. Finally, the bill increases the notification deadline, from three to five days, in which tow operators must determine whether there is an owner and/or lienholder registered with DOR and send notice to those parties.



01:35 PM -- Tony Anderson, representing the DOR Division of Motor Vehicles, came to the table to answer committee questions.



01:37 PM -- Greg Fulton, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association (CMCA), testified in support of the bill.









01:39 PM -- Steve Hochmiller, representing U.S. Transport, testified in support of the bill.



01:42 PM -- John Connolly, representing the Towing and Recovery Professionals of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.



01:51 PM -- Barbara Walker, representing the Independent Bankers of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



01:52 PM -- Sophia San Miguel, representing herself, spoke neutrally to the bill.



01:54 PM -- Jennifer Waller, representing the Colorado Bankers Association, testified in support of the bill.



01:55 PM



Representative Tyler requested for the bill to be laid over to a following meeting so that amendments could be prepared with stakeholders.



01:56 PM -- HB 16-1029



Representative J. Becker came to the table to present House Bill 16-1029. The bill, recommended by the Transportation Legislation Review Committee, allows the DOR to title, register, and issue a rear license plate to kei vehicles. A person with a valid driver's license and insurance may operate a registered kei vehicle on a roadway with a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour (MPH) or less, except on limited access highways.



In order to register the kei vehicle with the DOR, the owner must pay a specific ownership tax (SOT) at the class C personal property rate, a kei vehicle registration fee of $15, and additional standard material fees. The registration is valid for one year. Vehicle owners must show proof of insurance when registering the vehicle or sign a statement of non-use. Kei vehicles used for agricultural purposes and under other specific circumstances are exempt from registration requirements for on-road use.



The bill defines the features of a kei vehicle and safety equipment requirements that must be met that include having brakes; a head lamp and two tail lights; front and rear turn signals; a windshield with wipers; a rearview mirror; seat belts; and a horn.



Under the bill, it is a class B traffic infraction to operate a kei vehicle on an unauthorized roadway; without proper license, insurance, or registration; or without the required safety equipment.



The bill classifies kei vehicles as off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and powersports vehicles. Persons selling kei vehicles prior to July 1, 2015, may continue to sell kei vehicles so long as they stay in business. After July 1, 2015, kei vehicles must be sold by licensed powersports vehicle dealers.





01:59 PM



Representative Becker asked for the committee to postpone the bill indefinitely.

01:58 PM



The committee took a brief recess.



02:01 PM -- HB 16-1091



The committee returned to order. Representatives Mitsch Bush and Thurlow came to the table to present House Bill 16-1091. Under current law related to energy resource zones, rate-regulated electric utilities are required to submit plans, designations, and applications for certificates of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies on or before October 31 of each odd-numbered year. This bill changes the submission date to a date to be determined by the PUC. The bill also eliminates existing requirements that:



• reviews of plans, designations, and applications for CPCNs by rate-regulated electric utilities be conducted simultaneously; and

• the PUC issue an order approving or rejecting an application for a CPCN for the construction or expansion of transmission facilities within 180 days after the application is filed.





02:07 PM -- Ann Hendrickson and Heidi Morgan, representing Black Hills Corporation, testified in support of the bill. They responded to a question from the committee.



02:13 PM -- Becky Quintana, Paul Caldara, and Joel Hendrickson, representing the PUC, came to the table for questions from the committee.



02:16 PM -- Robin Kittel, representing Xcel Energy, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Kittel responded to a question from the committee.



02:19 PM



Representatives Mitsch Bush and Thurlow made their closing comments on the bill.

02:21 PM



The committee was adjourned.