H_TRA_2016A 03/02/2016 01:31:10 PM Committee Summary

01:31 PM



Representative Tyler, chair, called the meeting to order.



01:32 PM -- SB 16-055



Representative Moreno, prime sponsor, came to the table to present Senate Bill 16-055. Current law allows cooperative electric associations (CEAs) to exempt themselves from regulation by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies and operate solely under the control of their elected board of directors. CEAs can contract with an independent third party to collect and count the ballots for board elections. Mailed ballots must include a secrecy sleeve or inner envelope and must be mailed directly to the CEA.



This bill allows ballots to be mailed directly to the third party and states that a mail ballot sent in a signed envelope without the secrecy sleeve or inner envelope is valid and must be counted. The third party is required to deliver the ballots to the CEA under seal promptly after the count. Upon request of any candidate, the ballots must be made available to the candidate for inspection.



01:34 PM -- Troy Whitmore, representing United Power, Inc., testified in support of the bill. Mr. Whitmore responded to a question from the committee.



01:40 PM -- Jaclyn Terwey, representing the Intermountain Rural Electric Association, testified in support of the bill.











01:43 PM



Representative Moreno made his closing comments on the bill.

01:45 PM -- SB 16-030



Representative Tyler, prime sponsor, came to the table to present Senate Bill 16-030. A copy of an overweight vehicle violation was distributed to the committee (Attachment A). Under current law, individuals convicted of violating motor vehicle weight limits or the terms of overweight permits must pay a variable penalty and a surcharge, depending on the level of excess weight. The reengrossed bill changes the variable surcharge rate to a flat 16 percent of the penalty for all violations. He responded to a question from the committee.



160302 AttachA.pdf





01:48 PM -- Greg Fulton, representing the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, testified in support of the bill.

01:56 PM -- HB 16-1280



Representative Winter, prime sponsor, came to the table to present House Bill 16-1280. Under current law, the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) licenses air ambulances to operate in Colorado that are accredited with the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS). This bill gives the CDPHE additional authority to establish state-level licensing of air ambulances that allows for air ambulance operators to receive a license either by gaining accreditation through an approved organization (such as CAMTS, which is no longer directly referenced in statute) or by meeting licensing standards established by the CDPHE and the State Board of Health. The bill requires the CDPHE to establish rules by December 31, 2017, for the licensing program, including:



• approval of an accrediting organization;

• medical, staffing, safety, and quality standards;

• recognition of licenses from other states;

• issuance of initial, renewal, provisional, and other licenses; and

• establishment of license fees.



The bill gives the CDPHE disciplinary authority to suspend or revoke licenses, impose civil penalties, and issue cease-and-desist orders. Any air ambulance operator that violates licensing rules or operates without a valid license may be subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation or for each day of a continuing violation. Penalty revenue is deposited into the General Fund.



Representative Winter responded to a question from the committee.



01:58 PM -- Randy Kuykendall, representing CDPHE, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Kuykendall responded to questions from the committee.



02:08 PM -- Commissioner Lew Gaiter, representing the State Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Advisory Council (SEMTAC) in CDPHE, testified in support of the bill.



02:09 PM -- David Kearns, representing Flight for Life Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Discussed ensued.



02:11 PM -- Ray Jennings, representing the Emergency Medical Services Association of Colorado (EMSAC), testified in support of the bill.





02:14 PM -- Rich Martin, representing SEMTAC and EMSAC, testified in support of the bill.



02:15 PM



Representative Winter made closing comments on the bill.

02:17 PM



The committee was adjourned.