H_TLG_2019A 04/15/2019 02:24:40 PM Committee Summary

Speaker Becker introduced House Bill 19-1295 concerning a requirement that the county treasurer in specified counties serve as the public trustee for the county. Starting July 1, 2020, the bill specifies that the county treasurer for each class 2 county will serve as public trustee for the county. The county treasurer must create a transition plan for the new duties of public trustee. The county treasurer is authorized to consider incorporating staff of the appointed trustee's office into the treasurer's office.  The Speaker talked about two handouts (Attachments A and B).

Representative Rich made opening remarks about the bill.

The committee questioned the bill sponsors about witnesses testifying and classes of counties.

The committee questioned the bill sponsors on oversight of the public trustee office and witnesses.

John Lafebvre, representing Weld County, testified in support of the bill

Sue Sandstrom, representing Arapahoe County, testified in support of the bill.

Jerry DiTullio, representing Jefferson County, testified in support of the bill.  He provided a letter (Attachment C).

Debra Johnson, representing the City and County of Denver, testified in support of the bill.

Eric Bergman, representing Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the bill.  He provided a packet to the committee (Attachment D).

The committee questioned the witnesses about the wage for public trustees.

Representative Rich talked about amendment L.001 (Attachment E).

The sponsors made closing remarks about the bill.

The committee made closing remarks about the bill.

Representative McCluskie introduced Senate Bill 19-159 concerning the continuation of the passenger tramway safety board, and, in connection therewith, implementing some of the recommendations contained in the 2018 sunset report by the Department of Regulatory Agencies.  The bill continues the functions of the board until 2030.  In addition, the bill removes the requirement that letters of admonition be sent by certified mail and replaces references to the program administrator with references to the program director. 

Larisa Wilder, representing Parents for Safe Skiing, testified in support of the bill if amended.

Evan Banker, representing Chalat, Hatten and Banker PC, testified in support of the bill if amended.

The committee questioned the witnesses about recommended changes from the sunset review.

Brendan McGuire, representing Vail Resorts, testified in support of the bill.

Melanie Mills, representing Colorado Ski Country U.S.A., testified in support of the bill.

The committee questioned the witnesses about accidents on tramways, including reporting of accidents, responsibility of skiers and lift operators, and the cooperation and structure of Vail Resorts and Colorado Ski Country U.S.A.

Representative McCluskie made closing remarks about the bill.

Representative McCluskie made opening remarks about Senate Bill 19-160 concerning continuaton of the river outfitter licensing program.  The bill implements recommendations of the Department of Regulatory Agencies in its sunset review.  The licensing of river outfitters by the Division of Parks and Wildlife within the Department of Natural Resources will continue until September 1, 2028.  The bill exempts the training of guides, trip leaders, and guide instructors from the authority of the Private Occupational Schools Division in the Department of Higher Education.  The bill also requires the Parks and Wildlife Commission to create rules on insurance requirements for vehicles used by river outfitters.  There was no testimony on the bill.

The committee took a short recess.

The committee came back to order.

Representative Melton introduced House Bill 19-1298 concerning the use of electric motor vehicle charging stations for parking a motor vehicle. The bill authorizes the owner of a plug-in electric motor vehicle charging station to install a sign that identifies the station.  Once the sign is installed a person is prohibited from parking in the space if the vehicle is not an electric vehicle and using the charging station for parking if the electric vehicle is not charging.  An electric vehicle is presumed to not be charging if the electric vehicle is not connected to the charger for longer than 30 minutes.  A person may park an electric vehicle at a charging station after the vehicle is fully charged in a parking lot that serves clients staying at a lodging parked overnight; that serves an airport if the person is a client of the aiport and has parked the vehicle in the lot to charge when traveling; or between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.  The penalty for a violation is a $350 fine and a $64 surcharge.  Representative Melton also introduced amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments F and G).

The committee questioned the bill sponsor about the specifics of the bill, enforcement, property owner rules for parking in charging station stalls, to which state funds fees are transferred, use of malfunctioning spaces, charging stations at airports or lodging, charging stations at the Capitol, and parking signs.

Kelly Sloan, representing the Freedom to Drive Coalition, testified neutral to the bill.

Matthew Groves, representing the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, testified neutral to the bill.  The association is in support of the bill with the amendment.

The committee questioned the witnesses about parking signs and exceptions to parking in electric vehicle charging stalls.

Sean Mitchell, representing the Denver Tesla Club, testified in support of the bill.

Jan Berger, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Kamala Vanderkolk, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

R.J. Harrington, representing Sustainable Action Consulting, testified in support of the bill.  He provided a handout (Attachment H).

Alexander Tieman, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Stan Sunderwirth, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Nic Ansuini, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Melton explained amendment L.001 (Attachment F).

Representative Melton explained amendment L.002 (Attachment G).

The committee made comments about the amendment.

Representative Melton made closing remarks about the bill.

The committee made closing remarks about the bill.

Representative Valdez D. introduced Senate Bill 19-054 concerning the regulation of surplus military vehicles for the purposes of operation on the highway.  The bill includes in the definition of "motor vehicle" vehicles built for the military and commonly used by the United States armed forces to transport persons or property over the highway.  These vehicles are defined as "demilitarized motor vehicles" and are exempted from the emissions standards and the requirement to have a physical inspection for roadworthiness.

The committee questioned the bill sponsor and the bill drafter, Jery Payne, about the purchase of military vehicles, the definition of military vehicles and historical military vehicles, who determines which vehicles are of historical value, other witnesses, the safety clause, and titles for military vehicles.

Katie Ruedebusch, fiscal analyst, answered questions about the fiscal note, including changes to the DRIVES system.

Representative Valdez D. talked about amendment L.011(Attachment I).

Representative Valdez D. made closing remarks about the bill.

The committee made closing remarks about the bill.