s_sa_2017a_2017-02-13t13:35:55z6 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/13/2017

Location: SCR 357

05:30 PM -- SB17-147



Senator Fenberg, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-147 to the committee. No later than December 31, 2017, this bill requires that the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) develop and distribute informational materials concerning federal student loan forgiveness programs. This information must include:



• a summary of the federal public service loan forgiveness program, the teacher loan forgiveness program, and other federal student loan repayment programs;

• eligibility requirements;

• steps an eligible employee must take to participate in these programs;

• a recommendation that employees contact their student loan servicer for additional information; and

• answers to frequently asked questions.



In lieu of developing the materials, the DPA may provide materials published by a federal agency that include the required information. The DPA is required to make the materials available on the department's website, verify the accuracy of the information at least annually, update the information as necessary, and distribute the materials to the following entities:



• the Colorado Department of Education, for distribution to school districts, the Charter School Institute, and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services;

• the Department of Higher Education, for distribution to the governing boards of state supported institutions of higher education;

• the Secretary of State, for distribution to nonprofit public service organizations; and

• the Division of Local Government in the Department of Local Affairs for distribution to counties, municipalities, and special districts.



School districts, charter schools, and institutions of higher education are required to make the materials available for their employees, nonprofit service organizations and local governments are encouraged to do so.



Senator Fenberg distributed to the committee a fact sheet on the bill (Attachment P), amendment L.001 (Attachment Q), and a memorandum on the amendment's fiscal impact (Attachment R).



17SenateState0213AttachP.pdf 17SenateState0213AttachQ.pdf



17SenateState0213AttachR.pdf



05:39 PM -- Holland Parker, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



05:41 PM -- MacKenzie Scarpella, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



05:43 PM -- Ethan Wade, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



05:47 PM -- Angie Bailey, representing the Boulder Valley Education Association, testified in support of the bill.



05:50 PM -- Kelli Eastmond, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



05:52 PM -- Jack Teter, representing Democrats for Education Reform, testified in support of the bill.



05:54 PM -- Jamila Sleman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



05:57 PM -- Linsi Bowers, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



06:01 PM -- Charlotte Olena, representing New Era Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



06:04 PM -- Ryan Case, representing the American Federation of Teachers Colorado, testified in support of the bill.





06:07 PM



Senator Fenberg discussed amendment L.001.

06:09 PM



Committee members discussed the bill with Senator Fenberg.

06:20 PM



The committee adjourned.