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5481843E552C353387258C6E0070DCD0 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB25-281

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Apr 16, 2025      
Location Old Supreme Court



SB25-281 - Lay Over
02:32:48 PM  
Senators Snyder and
Carson, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 25-281, concerning careless
driving resulting in serious bodily injury. They explained the need to
improve safety on Colorado's roads by holding accountable people who drive
without regard for other's safety. They distributed a related handout about
the bill (Attachment B).
02:48:58 PM  
Gary Robinson, representing
Avid Cyclist, LLC, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Michael Raber,
representing BIKE JEFFCO, testified in support of the bill. Susan Dane,
representing Coloradans Organized for Responsible Driving (CORD), testified
in support of the bill.



Committee members
commented about bike accidents.
03:06:08 PM  
Jill White, representing
The White Line, testified in support of the bill. Michael White, representing
The White Line, testified in support of the bill. Rodrick Stratton, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill. Clarissa Stratton, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked how statutes and laws could better support surviving family members
and others impacted by careless driving incidents. Discussion followed
about cultural changes surrounding texting and driving.  They also
talked about accountability and treating these incidents more seriously.
 Additional questions were raised about charges brought forth by district
attorneys.
03:40:39 PM  
Rebecca Nothnagel,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. James Karbach,
representing Colorado Public Defender's Office, testified in opposition
to the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment C).  Mr. Abraham
Hutt, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified in opposition
to the bill. Rhidian Orr, representing Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, testified
in opposition to the bill.



Committee members
asked about distinguishing between careless, negligent, and reckless driving.
 Discussion ensued about DUIs, probable cause, fact patterns, and
deterrence.
04:33:45 PM  
Mark Oharold, representing
Douglas Sheriff, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Michael Dougherty,
representing District Attorney's Office, 20th Judicial District, testified
in support of the bill. Garrik Storgaard, representing District Attorney's
Office for the 23rd Judicial District, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. Darren Weekly, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified
in support of the bill. Deputy Chief Reeves, representing Colorado Association
of the Chiefs of Police, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Chief-Matthew
Packard, representing Cdps/colorado state patrol, testified to amend the
bill.



Committee members
inquired about charges brought forth by district attorneys.  Additional
discussion ensued about deterrence and related penalties.
05:25:31 PM  
Victoria Cegielski,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Teri Vogel,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Josh Stewart,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Triny Willerton,
representing It could be me, testified in support of the bill.




Committee members asked the panel questions about legal proceedings, charges,
and budget cuts to victim services. Discussion ensued about laws that hold
up in court.
05:55:02 PM  
Mr. Andrew Phillips,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ed Wood, representing
DUID Victim Voices, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jocelyn Rhymer,
representing Mothers Against Drunk Driving, testified in support of the
bill. Amy Hudnall, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Jeff Wilkins, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.
Mr. Brad Tucker, representing Bicycle Colorado, testified in support of
the bill. Mr. Gerald White, representing Bike Colorado Springs, testified
in support of the bill.



Written testimony
about the bill is in Attachment D.
06:21:41 PM  
The bill sponsors
asked the bill to be laid over until Monday, April 21, 2025.






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