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First Regular Session | 75th General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB25-162

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & ENERGY
Date Mar 5, 2025       Location SCR 352

SB25-162 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations
02:07:38 PM  
Senator Cutter and Senator Snyder, co-prime sponsors, introduced and explained Senate Bill 25-162 Railroad Safety Requirements. The bill gives the Public Utilities Commission the sole authority to inspect and regulate railroads, requires the commission to collect data on railroad safety, and imposes a new fee on railroads.
02:09:06 PM  
Carl Smith, representing SMART-Transportation Division, testified in support of the bill. Paul Pearson, representing BLET, Colorado State Legislative Board, testified in support of the bill. Rebecca White, representing Public Utilities Commission, testified in support of the bill. Elena Santarella, representing BlueGreen Alliance, testified in support of the bill. The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.
02:22:48 PM  
Andy Williams, representing BNSF Railway, testified in opposition to the bill. Chrissy Long, representing BNSF Railway Company, testified in opposition to the bill. Nathan Anderson, representing Union Pacific Railroad, testified in opposition to the bill. Michael Ogborn, representing Colorado Short Line Railroads, testified in opposition to the bill. Patrick Brady, representing BNSF Railway, testified in opposition to the bill.
02:41:01 PM  
The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.
02:58:11 PM  
The prior panel continued to respond to questions from the committee.
02:58:42 PM  
Kevin Klein, representing Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, testified in support of the bill. Ann Sutton, representing League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ean Tafoya, representing GreenLatinos, testified in support of the bill. Renee Larrarte, representing Conservation Colorado, testified in support of the bill.
03:12:40 PM  
Jake Hamlin, representing SMART-Transportation Division, testified in support of the bill. Dennis Dougherty, representing Colorado AFL-CIO, testified in support of the bill. Steve Clapham, representing Colorado Professional Fire Fighters, testified in support of the bill. Bev Stables, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.
03:24:06 PM  
The prior panel responded to questions from the committee.
03:32:30 PM  
The sponsors distributed and explained Amendment L.002 (Attachment F) and Amendment L.003 (Attachment G). The sponsors answered committee questions about Amendment L.003.

03:32:59 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.002
Moved Cutter
Seconded
Catlin
Exum
Hinrichsen
Mullica
Pelton B.
Simpson
Sullivan
Cutter
Winter F.
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection

03:34:50 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003
Moved Cutter
Seconded
Catlin
Exum
Hinrichsen
Mullica
Pelton B.
Simpson
Sullivan
Cutter
Winter F.
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
03:34:52 PM  
The sponsors gave closing remarks on the bill.

03:42:46 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 25-162, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Cutter
Seconded
Catlin No
Exum Yes
Hinrichsen Yes
Mullica Yes
Pelton B. No
Simpson No
Sullivan Yes
Cutter Yes
Winter F. Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS