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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly
Bill Summary for Bill Number SB17-027 Date: 01/25/2017
Location: SCR 357
Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB17-027

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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03:21 PM -- SB 17-027

Senator Court introduced Senate Bill 17-027. The bill increases the Class A traffic infraction penalty for texting while driving. The penalty for a first offense increases from a $50 fine and 1 point assessed against a violator's driver license to a $500 fine and 5 points assessed on the driver license. The fine for a second or subsequent offense increases from $100 and 1 point assessed to $750 and 6 points assessed.

03:25 PM -- Dave Hall, representing the Colorado State Patrol, testified in support of the bill and relayed statistics regarding the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

03:31 PM -- L.B., representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

03:35 PM -- Susan Dane, representing Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving (CORD), testified in support of the bill. She discussed penalties for texting in other states. Senator Court commented on the bill.

03:37 PM -- Cara Denney, representing CORD, testified in support of the bill.

03:42 PM -- Mike Lawrence, representing himself, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment C). 170125 AttachC.pdf170125 AttachC.pdf

03:44 PM -- Connie Martin, representing CORD, testified in support of the bill.

03:48 PM -- Scott O'Sullivan, representing Biker Down Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

03:53 PM -- Vivian Stovall, representing herself, testified regarding the bill.

03:53 PM -- JM Fay, representing herself. Senator Hill read Ms. Fay's testimony regarding the bill.

03:55 PM -- Andy Karsian, representing Colorado Department of Transportation, testified in support of the bill and suggested amendments to the bill.

03:58 PM

Senator Court gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. Members of the committee commented on the bill.

04:01 PM -- Mr. Hall returned to the table to respond to committee questions regarding current law on the use of cell phones while driving. He responded to questions from the committee.

04:08 PM -- Mr. O'Sullivan returned to the table to respond to questions from the committee. Mr. Hall continued to respond to committee questions.


04:14 PM

The committee took a recess.


04:21 PM

The committee reconvened. The chair laid the bill over.