4B4158BE15C4FDC18725839A00767BD9 Hearing Summary

Representative Bird, sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1055, concerning the provision of state financial assistance for public school capital construction. The bill diverts additional marijuana excise tax revenue from the the Public School Fund to the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program.  The bill also changes the amount appropriated from the State Education Fund annually on behalf of charter school capital construction and increases the total amount of lease payments allowable under lease purchase agreements for public school capital construction projects.  Representative Bird also distributed information about the bill to the committee (Attachment E).

Kathy Gebhardt, Boulder Valley School District, testified in support of the bill and discussed the BEST program and how those funds would be distributed under the bill. Ms. Gebhardt responded to questions from the committee. Representative Bird also responded to questions regarding provisions in the bill.

Laura Long, Associated General Contractors, testified in support of the bill.

Darren Edgar, Sierra Grande School District and Colorado Rural Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Edgar answered questions from the committee.

Lloyd Harwood, Canon City School Board, testified in support of the bill.

George Welsh, Canon City School District and Opportunity Coalition, testified in support of the bill and explained how proceeds from the sale of certificates of participation help fund the BEST program.

Mr. Welsh answered committee questions about funding for safety and security in schools.

Representative Bird distributed and explained Amendments L.001 (Attachment E) and L.002 (Attachment F).

Craig Harper, Joint Budget Committee Staff, answered questions from the committee regarding the amount of funding available from the BEST program.

The committee discussed Amendment L.002.

Representative Bird made concluding comments on the bill. Committee discussion ensued.