DENVER – Colorado lawmakers on Tuesday all but finalized an effort to promote jobs in the field of automated driving systems.
Senate Bill 213, which would allow for the use of automated vehicles on Colorado’s roadways provided they meet all state and federal traffic laws, was passed by the House on a 58-6 vote.
House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, R-Franktown, said the bill represented an opportunity for the Legislature to get out of the way of private industry and allow it to create new jobs by allowing for the expansion of the automation industry in the state.
But there are concerns about what automation of vehicles could mean to individuals employed as truckers and drivers.
“I think that this bill reflects a larger problem on our changing economy and our lack of actually helping transition these workers to the jobs of the future,” said Rep. Brittney Pettersen, D-Lakewood.
SB 213 may represent only the first measure in efforts to transition the state into a new era of the “automation revolution,” said Rep. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, and sponsor of the bill. “This doesn’t stop with drivers and we have got to be on top of this.”
The bill has been approved by both chambers and will receive a final look from the Senate to ensure it agrees with House amendments before heading to Gov. John Hickenlooper to be signed into law.
In addition to SB 213, 25 bills were scheduled for third reading, five for second reading, 32 were heard by committees and a resolution on pay equity was read before the House in recognition of Equal Pay Day.
SB 254, the state’s $28.3 billion budget or so-called Long Bill, and its 12 orbital bills were approved by the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday morning and head to the floor Thursday after the two caucuses have looked the bills over and drafted amendments.House Bill 1215, which would encourage providing mental health assistance for peace officers and the response of trained mental health professionals to incidents involving mentally ill individuals, was heard by the Senate Local Government Committee and passed unanimously.HB 1203, which would allow local governments to pass a special sales tax on retail marijuana products, was passed by the Senate Local Government Committee, 4-1.Both of the bills will head to the Senate floor for consideration and debate.
lperkins@durangoherald.com
