s_fin_2017a_2017-02-16t10:06:26z3 Hearing Summary
Date: 02/16/2017
Location: SCR 357
BILL SUMMARY for SB17-153
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| Refer Senate Bill 17-153 to the Committee of the W | PASS |
10:52 AM -- SB17-153
Senators Crowder and Garcia, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 17-153, which 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 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.
10:54 AM -- Jim Souby, representing the Colorado Rail Passenger Association, testified in support of the bill.
10:56 AM -- Jack Wheeler, representing the Colorado Rail Passenger Association, testified in support of the bill.
10:56 AM -- Robert Brewster, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.
10:58 AM
Senators Crowder and Garcia wrapped up their presentation of SB 17-153 and responded to committee questions.
| BILL: | SB17-153 | |
| TIME: | 11:06:28 AM | |
| MOVED: | Tate | |
| MOTION: | Refer Senate Bill 17-153 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 4-1. | |
| SECONDED: | ||
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VOTE
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Court
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Yes
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Kerr
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Yes
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Tate
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Yes
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Hill
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Yes
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Neville T.
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No
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Final YES: 4 NO: 1 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS
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11:07 AM
The committee adjourned.