OOIDA Call to Action - Colorado Members
February 14, 2007

Attention: Colorado truckers! A bill scheduled for consideration in the House Transportation and Energy Committee Thursday, Feb. 15, would limit the powers of the private sector and the state DOT in building and operating toll roads. It is extremely important you take the time now to voice your support for this bill.

At this meeting, scheduled for mid- to late morning Thursday, the committee also is expected to discuss a bill that would increase the base fine for chain law violations in the state from $100 to $500 - the same fine for blockage of a lane or road. It would also add four points to violators' CDLs for blocking a lane or road.

The tolling powers bill - HB1068 - would restrict the use of eminent domain by private road builders and the Colorado Department of Transportation. The bill states that CDOT must adhere to long-term plans for roads initiated by metropolitan and regional planning organizations.

HB1068 would restrict the powers of developers and the state regarding land use. In short, neither private companies nor the state DOT would be able to use eminent domain to acquire land for a toll road unless that road was included in regional road planning.

The chain rules bill - HB1229 - would greatly increase penalties for truck drivers. The bill does not address underlying problems associated with chain laws, such as the lack of chain-up areas, too few spaces in chain-up areas, the lack of adequate safety for drivers in designated chain-up spots, and chain-up areas not being sufficiently plowed.

Truckers are encouraged to contact their lawmakers to share their thoughts on both bills before the hearing scheduled for approximately 11 a.m. MST Thursday.

Contact information for committee members is listed below:

Rep. Liane "Buffie" McFadyen, chairwoman
mcfadyen2002@hotmail.com
(303) 866-2905

Rep. Dan Gibbs, vice-chairman
dan.gibbs.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-2952

Rep. Alice Borodkin
aliceB321@aol.com
(303) 866-2910

Rep. Gwyn Green
gwyngreen@yahoo.com
(303) 866-2951

Rep. Claire Levy
claire.levy.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-2578

Rep. Don Marostica
don.marostica.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-2947

Rep. Frank McNulty
frank@frankmcnulty.com
(303) 866-2936

Rep. Michael Merrifield
michael.merrifield.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-2932

Rep. Dianne Primavera
dianne.primavera.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-4667

Rep. Joe Rice
joe.rice.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-2953

Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg
jerry.sonnenberg.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-3706

Rep. Spencer Swalm
spencer.swalm.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-5510

Rep. Glenn Vaad
glenn.vaad.house@state.co.us
(303) 866-2943