DENVER - A bill from Colorado Springs Rep. Kent Lambert that would reduce the number of state employees who use government cars for commuting scored a surprise committee victory Feb. 23, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.

Lambert's HB1287 takes aim at 1,277 state workers who traveled a total of more than 9 million commuting miles last year at a cost of more than $3 million, the Gazette reported. Lambert said few of those workers are following state laws that require them to reimburse the treasury for commuting costs. Only about a quarter of those workers are in compliance with a law on who can authorize workers to take a state car home, reported the Gazette.

Lambert said he wants to make sure workers who commute pay the state. His bill also would centralize who in state government can allow workers to take cars home.

Under the bill, police and public safety workers could still take cars home at no charge.

The bill was sent before the House State Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, which backed Lambert unanimously. Lambert's bill has moved to the House floor for consideration, reported the Gazette.