F4F8E8AECEE4C36A872583D000728018 Hearing Summary

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee came back to order.

Representatives McLachlan and Wilson presented Senate Bill 19-003, concerning the Educator Loan Forgiveness Program. Under current law, a teacher loan forgiveness pilot program in the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) provides loan repayment for teachers in high-poverty schools in rural areas, or in positions in math, science, special education, or linguistically diverse education. The program, which was created in 2001, has not been funded for several years and repeals on July 1, 2019. The bill renames the program to the Educator Loan Forgiveness Program, expands the program to include principals and special service providers, and extends the program's repeal to September 1, 2033, among other changes.

Samantha Nuecuterlein, Education Reform Now and Democrats for Education Reform, testified in support of the bill.

Leslie Colwell, Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Wilson and McLachlan made concluding comments on the bill, and committee discussion ensued.