H_TRA_2018A 04/04/2018 01:36:30 PM Committee Summary

Reps. Everett and Melton introduced House Bill 18-1296.  The bill allows a person to leave their car unattended and running if they use a remote starter system. 

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order

Rep. Pabon introduced House Bill 18-1285.  This bill creates a remuneration-exempt placard that exempts individuals with qualifying disabilities from paying for meter parking.  To qualify for this placard, individuals must have a disability that limits their fine motor control in both hands; ability to reach a height of 42 inches from the ground; or ability to reach or access a parking meter due to the use of a wheelchairor other device.

Rep. Pabon answered several committee questions.

Mr. Chris Hinds, representing Blueplacard.org, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Christina Johnson, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Mark Simon, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Yelena Love, Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to answer committee questions.

Rep. Pabon gave some closing remarks.

Rep. Pabon introduced House Bill 18-1320. The bill reclassifies large-market taxicab services — defined as providers serving counties with a population of 70,000 or more — as limited regulation carriers subject to operational standards, insurance, and safety regulation. Requirements that drivers undergo fingerprint background checks and engage in nondiscriminatory practices remain. Rep. Pabon answered several committee questions.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Rep. Pabon answered several committee questions.

Mr. Rowland Nwankwo, representing Mile High Cab, testified against the bill.

Mr. Abdi Buni, representing Green Taxi Cooperative, testified against the bill. He answered several committee questions.

Mr. Mickias Alamirew, representing All Cities Taxi, testified against the bill. He answered several committee questions

Mr. Mohammed Wariz, representing Union Taxi, testified against the bill.

Mr. Robert McBride, representing Metro Taxi, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Sean McBride, representing Metro Taxi, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Bill George, representing Transdev, testified in support of the bill.

Rep. Pabon gave some closing remarks. The bill was laid over to a future date for action only.

Rep. Esgar introduced House Bill 18-1281. The bill makes certain requirements of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies related to ethics and transparency in the categories of: standards of conduct; staff training; proceeding recordings; and audits. Rep. Esgar answered several committee questions.

Director Doug Dean, representing the PUC, testified against the bill. He distributed a handout to the committee [Attachment B]. He also answered several committee questions.

Mr. Chris Nicoll, representing the Pueblo City Council, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Susan Fries, representing Pueblo County, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Amanda Gonzalez, representing Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Nicoll, Ms. Fries, and Ms. Gonzalez answered several committee questions.

Mr. Terry Hart, representing the Pueblo County Commissioners, testified in support of the bill.

Commissioner Frances A. Koncilja, representing herself, came to the table to discuss her experience as a PUC commissioner.  She answered several committee questions.    

Rep. Lundeen discussed amendment L.001 [Attacthment C].  The chair ruled that the amendment did not fit under the bill's title.

Rep. Esgar gave some closing remarks.