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S_ED_2019A 01/24/2019 01:37:38 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Date 01/24/2019
Attendance
Bridges X
Hill X
Lundeen X
Story *
Todd X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Time 01:37:38 PM to 03:32:41 PM
Place SCR 352
This Meeting was called to order by Senator Todd
This Report was prepared by Rachel Kurtz-Phelan
Hearing Items Action Taken
SB19-003 Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations
SB19-009 Referred to the Committee of the Whole

SB19-003 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations


01:38:19 PM  

Senators Zenzinger and Coram, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-003 which concerns an educator loan forgiveness program to help retain teachers.  The sponsors discussed the need to recruit and retain teachers, especially in rural districts, and provided specifics about the educator loan forgiveness program established by the bill.

01:44:27 PM  

Senator Zenzinger answered questions from the committee.  Committee discussion ensued.

01:54:02 PM  

The following people testified on the bill:

01:54:11 PM  

Michelle Murphy, Executive Director of the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, spoke in support of the bill.  Ms. Murphy answered questions from the committee.

02:01:19 PM  

Evie Hudak, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, spoke in support of the bill.

02:02:46 PM  

Kevin Vick, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.

02:06:22 PM  

Robert Mitchell, representing the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, spoke in support of the bill.

02:08:15 PM  

Matt Cook, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards and the Colorado Association of School Executives, spoke in support of the bill.

02:09:46 PM  

Dale McCall, representing the Colorado Boards of Cooperative Education Services Association, spoke in support of the bill.

02:13:22 PM  

Leslie Colwell, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Colwell answered questions from the committee.

02:17:12 PM  

Sue Sava, representing the Public Education and Business Coalition, spoke in support of the bill.

02:19:00 PM  

Courtney Allen, representing the Colorado School Counselors Association, spoke in support of the bill.

02:20:44 PM  

The co-sponsors distributed and explained Amendment L.001 (Attachment A).



02:23:43 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Todd
Seconded
Bridges
Hill
Lundeen
Story Excused
Todd
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:23:53 PM  

Senator Lundeen distributed and explained amendments L.003 and L.004 (Attachments B and C).  The committee discussed the amendments.  Senator Lundeen agreed to run amendment L.003 (Attachment B) as a floor amendment on second reading.  



02:38:13 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.003
Moved Lundeen
Seconded
Bridges
Hill
Lundeen
Story
Todd
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Withdrawn


02:39:23 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.004
Moved Lundeen
Seconded
Bridges No
Hill Yes
Lundeen Yes
Story No
Todd No
YES: 2   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL
02:39:24 PM  

Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.



02:49:41 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 19-003, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Bridges
Seconded
Bridges Yes
Hill No
Lundeen No
Story Yes
Todd Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB19-009 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole


02:49:52 PM  

Senator Story took over as committee chair.  Senators Todd and Coram, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-009 which concerns providing financial incentives for educators to work in rural areas.  The co-sponsors answered questions from the committee.

02:57:57 PM  

The following people testified on the bill:

02:58:20 PM  

Dale McCall, representing the Colorado Boards of Cooperative Education Services Association, the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, and the Colorado Association of School Executives, spoke in support of the bill.  Mr. McCall answered questions from the committee.

03:06:08 PM  

Evan Kennedy, representing the Public Education and Business Coalition, spoke in support of the bill.  He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment D).

03:11:29 PM  

Cassie Harrelson, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.

03:14:25 PM  

Samantha Nuechterlein, representing Education Reform Now, spoke in support of the bill.

03:17:55 PM  

Senator Todd provided closing comments on the bill.

03:21:04 PM  

Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions.

03:22:51 PM  

Harvey Rude and Valerie Sherman, representing the Colorado Center for Rural Education, came to the table to answer questions from the committee.



03:32:35 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 19-009 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Todd
Seconded
Bridges Yes
Hill Yes
Lundeen Yes
Story Yes
Todd Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


03:32:41 PM   The committee adjourned.