h_tra_2017a_2017-04-12t13:33:28z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/12/2017

Location: HCR 0112

01:59 PM -- SB 17-153



Representatives Esgar introduced Senate Bill 17-153. The bill 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 the Colorado Department of Transportation (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.



Representative Esgar distributed a fact sheet to the committee (Attachment A). The committee received a letter of support from the City of Trinidad (Attachment B).



170412 AttachA.pdf170412 AttachB.pdf



02:02 PM -- Mr. Carl Smith, representing the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers - Transportation Division (SMART-TD), testified in support of the bill.



02:05 PM -- Mr. Jim Souby, representing the Colorado Rail Passenger Association and the Southwest Chief Commission, testified in support of the bill.

170412 AttachC.pdf



02:12 PM



Representative Esgar gave some closing remarks on the bill.