H_TRA_2016A 02/24/2016 01:35:00 PM Committee Summary

01:35 PM



Representative Tyler, chair, called the meeting to order and made some opening comments.





01:39 PM -- HB 16-1223



Representative Rankin, prime sponsor, came to the table and asked the committee to postpone House Bill 16-1223 indefinitely.

01:42 PM -- RTD Presentation on Access-a-Ride



Tina McDonald, representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), came to the table to explain issues that individuals with disabilities are experiencing with the Regional Transportation District's (RTD) paratransit services. She distributed a handout of information to the committee (Attachment A). She discussed the various ways RTD is failing to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), performance and on-time pickup problems experienced with RTD's services, how RTD's Access-a-Cab service drivers have not been picking up some clients, long wait times for users of the service, and other issues. Ms. McDonald stated that she did not feel that RTD is working fully with members of the CCDC. Ms. McDonald responded to questions from the committee.



160224 AttachA.pdf



01:51 PM



Douglas Howie, representing the CCDC, came to the table to discuss RTD compliance with the ADA and the ways in which the organization could improve its services and reduce transit issues experienced by people with disabilities. He spoke to RTD plans to acquire additional paratransit shuttles in the coming year.









01:58 PM



David Genova, Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Abel, Assistant General Manager, and Larry Buter, Manager of Paratransit Services, RTD, came to the table to provide their presentation on the organization's ADA paratransit services (Attachment B). Mr. Abel discussed transportation-related elements of the ADA that apply to RTD's provision of transit services for individuals with disabilities, eligibility criteria for users of Access-a-Ride, RTD's Access-a-Cab service, RTD's paratransit service statistics, customer complaints and comments, performance of RTD's paratransit services, and scheduling challenges it experiences.



160224 AttachB.pdf



02:14 PM



Mr. Abel discussed RTD's plans to improve its provision of paratransit services for individuals with disabilities. Mr. Abel responded to questions from the committee, and discussed RTD's paratransit advisory council and goals of working more closely with members of the CCDC to improve its paratransit services. Committee discussion ensued.

2:27 PM



The committee took a brief recess.



02:39 PM -- HB 16-1231



The committee came back to order. Representative Lebsock came to the table to present House Bill 16-1231. The bill limits the authority of state and local governments to use automated vehicle identification systems at traffic signals (red light cameras) to detect violations. Under the bill, red light cameras may only be used within a school zone, a construction or repair zone, or on a major roadway intended to serve through traffic. The bill requires any governmental entity that assesses fines using a red light camera to use that revenue solely for traffic safety improvements, enforcement, and other related purposes. Representative Lebsock responded to questions from the committee.



02:46 PM



Kristen Forrestal, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to speak to the intent of the bill. Ms. Forrestal and Representative Lebsock responded to questions from the committee.



02:51 PM -- Ed Shackelford, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

02:54 PM -- Denise Maes, representing the American Civil Liberties Union, testified in support of the bill.

02:59 PM -- Julie Farrar, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

03:01 PM -- Dianne Criswell, representing the Colorado Municipal League, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:03 PM -- Jaime Lewis, representing the CCDC, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Lewis responded to questions from the committee.



03:07 PM -- Tina McDonald, representing the CCDC, testified in opposition to the bill.













03:11 PM -- Robert Rock, Ted Porras, and Mark Chuck, representing the Denver Police Department, testified in opposition to the bill. The Denver police representatives responded to questions from the committee.



03:27 PM -- Diana Goldberg, representing Sungate Kids, testified in opposition to the bill.



03:30 PM



Representative Lebsock addressed some of the concerns raised by the opponents of the bill.



03:34 PM



The committee took a brief recess.



03:36 PM



The committee came back to order.

03:36 PM



The committee was adjourned.