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House transportation panel keeps worker-presence language and advances higher construction-zone fine
Summary
The House Transportation Committee voted to retain language requiring workers to be present for construction-zone penalties and approved a due-pass on Senate Bill 21-83 as amended, including a raised minimum fine for certain construction-zone speeding violations.
House Transportation Committee Chairman Ruby opened discussion of Senate Bill 21-83 by asking the committee whether to move forward with the item and noting the importance of preserving specific language on lines 11 and 12.
The bill, as amended by Representative Koppelman, removes overstruck text on lines 11 and 12 while keeping a requirement that people be working on the roadway surface for the higher penalty to apply. "I move that we amend Senate Bill 21 83 and remove the overstrikes on lines 11 and 12," Representative Koppelman said. Representative Dressler seconded the motion.
Committee members debated the dollar amount for the increased minimum fine. Vice Chair Greenheck described enforcement and signage alternatives and said he would be open to lowering the dollar figure but was not opposed to moving forward. "I don't necessarily believe that the dollar amount is gonna change," he said, adding that improved lighted and LED signage could reduce incidents.
Representative Freilich and others argued the higher fine could act as a deterrent, especially for younger drivers, and noted testimony estimating inflation-adjusted parity near $130. "The dollar amount doesn't really bother me now that we've unstruck lines 11 and 12," Representative Freilich said.
After discussion the committee voted to give Senate Bill 21-83 a due pass as amended. The clerk recorded the roll call for the due-pass motion; Representative Shotts voted no and several members were absent. The committee selected Representative Freilich as bill carrier.
Why it matters: The retained language narrows when the elevated fine applies by requiring visible workers on the road surface; the committee also moved forward with a higher minimum fine intended to deter dangerous speeding in construction areas.
Votes at a glance: The committee approved a due-pass as amended on Senate Bill 21-83 (tally reported in committee: 10 yes, 1 no, 3 absent). Representative Koppelman moved the amendment to remove the overstrikes (seconded by Representative Dressler).
