s_lg_2016a_2016-03-08t14:02:32z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/08/2016

02:03 PM -- HB 16-1030



Senator Donovan, sponsor, discussed the provisions of House Bill 16-1030 concerning off-highway vehicle (OHV) regulation and local governments. The reengrossed bill allows local governments, acting by ordinance or resolution, to require OHV operators to have a driver's license or carry liability insurance, except that a local government cannot make these requirements for OHVs during emergency conditions or for those OHVs used for agricultural purposes. The bill also requires a municipality that wishes to regulate the crossing of a state highway by OHVs within its jurisdiction to request in writing to the regional office of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to approve the regulation. The CDOT may not unreasonably withhold its approval, and if the request is not answered within 60 days, it is considered approved.



The following persons testified on the bill:



02:10 PM -- Tony Lombard, Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI), spoke in favor of the bill. He also distributed a fact sheet on the bill and letters of support for the bill from various county commissioners and boards of county commissioners (Attachment A).



160308 AttachA.pdf



02:13 PM -- Tom Acre, Town Manager for the Town of South Fork, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the importance of OHV users to the economies of some Colorado communities. He also discussed the current regulation of OHVs.



02:16 PM -- Eric Grossman, Mayor of the City of Creede, spoke in support of the bill. He discussed ballot measures related to OHV that will be considered by the citizens of Creede and responded to questions from the committee about the regulation of OHVs by the city.



02:28 PM



Senator Martinez Humenik announced that Kathy R. Van Kleeck, Senior Vice President of Government Relations for the Speciality Vehicle Institute of America and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, submitted a letter of opposition to the bill (Attachment B).



160308 AttachB.pdf



02:32 PM -- Tyler Baskfield, representing Colorado Trout Unlimited, explained that his organization is neutral on the bill and identified additional OHV regulations that are needed including more visible registration tags.



02:41 PM -- Richard Orf, representing the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill and discussed the importance of OHV users to the economies of some Colorado communities.



02:44 PM -- Peg Ackerman, County Sheriffs Association of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill.



02:46 PM



Jery Payne, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions from the committee about the provisions of the bill.



02:48 PM -- Christian Reece, Club 20, spoke in support of the bill and discussed the importance of OHV users to the economies of some Colorado communities.



Heather Brooks, City Manager for Alamosa, submitted a letter of support for the bill (Attachment C).



160308 AttachC.pdf



02:53 PM



The chair closed testimony and Senator Donovan closed her remarks on the bill.

02:56 PM



The committee adjourned.