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S_ED_2023A 04/03/2023 01:47:56 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Date 04/03/2023
Attendance
Baisley X
Fields *
Kolker X
Lundeen X
Rich X
Marchman X
Buckner X
Time 01:47:56 PM to 06:07:51 PM
Place SCR 357
This Meeting was called to order by Buckner
This Report was prepared by Rachel Kurtz-Phelan
Hearing Items Action Taken
Conf 23-Higher Education — Colorado Commission On Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
SB23-202 Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB23-205 Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations

Conf 23-Higher Education — Colorado Commission On - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar


01:48:16 PM  
Inta Morris, Interim Deputy Director of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), introduced the two appointees to CCHE: Lisandra Gonzales and Jennifer Walmer. A copy of the Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment A. The appointees took turns introducing themselves and speaking about why they would like to serve on the commission.


01:55:58 PM
Motion Refer the appointments of Lisandra Gonzales and Jennifer Walmer to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Marchman
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Fields Excused
Kolker Yes
Lundeen Yes
Rich Yes
Marchman Yes
Buckner Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB23-202 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole


01:56:05 PM  
Senator Danielson and Senator Jaquez Lewis, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-202, which concerns the wearing of traditional Native American regalia at graduation ceremonies. They answered questions from the committee and distributed and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment B).
02:21:21 PM  
The co-sponsors continued to answer questions from the committee.
02:31:46 PM  
Chairman Melvin Baker,
representing the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, testified in support of the
bill.  He answered questions from the committee.
02:44:43 PM  
Meadow Contreras, representing herself as a student, testified in support of the bill.
02:48:01 PM  
Isabella Snowbird, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.
02:49:31 PM  
Marcus Cyrus, representing
himself, testified in support of the bill.
02:52:36 PM  
Donna Chrisjohn, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.
02:55:53 PM  
The prior panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.
03:08:59 PM  
Matthew Campbell, representing the Native American Rights Fund, testified in support of the bill.
03:13:18 PM  
Dr. Aspen Rendon, representing Cherry Creek School District, testified in support of the bill.
03:16:18 PM  
Jeff Chavez, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.
03:18:24 PM  
The prior panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.
03:24:17 PM  
Raven Payment, representing
herself, testified in support of the bill.
03:32:07 PM  
Monycka Snowbird,
representing herself, testified in support of the bill.
03:35:44 PM  
The prior two witnesses answered questions from the committee.
03:39:34 PM  
Celeste Terry, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.
03:43:02 PM  
Steven Moon, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.
03:45:20 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
03:51:39 PM  
The committee came
back to order.  Sarah Robirds, representing Colorado Parent Teacher
Association, testified in support of the bill.
03:55:12 PM  
Kevin Vick, representing Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill.
03:57:05 PM  
Katherine Dorman, representing American Federation of Teachers, testified in support of the bill.
03:58:31 PM  
Lynette Grey Bull, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.
04:02:36 PM  
The co-sponsors discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment B).


04:08:03 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Marchman
Seconded
Baisley
Fields
Kolker
Lundeen
Rich
Marchman
Buckner
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
04:08:28 PM  
The co-sponsors provided closing comments on the bill. Committee members provided closing comments.


04:22:06 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 23-202, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Marchman
Seconded
Baisley No
Fields Yes
Kolker Yes
Lundeen No
Rich No
Marchman Yes
Buckner Yes
Final YES: 4   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB23-205 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations

04:22:20 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
04:29:05 PM  
The committee came
back to order.  Senator Lundeen and Senator Bridges, co-sponsors,
presented Senate Bill 23-205, which concerns a scholarship program for
Colorado high school graduates that prioritizes awards for students pursuing
high-priority postsecondary pathways.  The co-sponsors provided opening
comments on the bill and answered questions from the committee.
04:41:44 PM  
Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, testified in support of the bill.
04:45:48 PM  
Alicia Gelinas, representing the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, testified in support of the bill.
04:47:54 PM  
Tony Milo, President
of the Colorado Contractors Association, testified in support of the bill.
04:49:10 PM  
Jen Walmer, representing Democrats for Education Reform Colorado, testified in support of the bill.
04:50:51 PM  
The panel answered questions from the committee.
05:02:20 PM  
Katherine Dorman, representing American Federation of Teachers, testified in support of the bill.
05:04:27 PM  
Jonathan Finer, representing Ready Colorado, testified in support of the bill.
05:05:40 PM  
Kevin Vick, representing Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill.
05:07:25 PM  
Ben Gerig, representing Colorado Succeeds, testified in support of the bill.
05:11:04 PM  
Danielle Ongart, representing Colorado Department of Education, testified in support of the bill.
05:13:37 PM  
Randal Palmer, representing Area Technical Colleges, testified in support of the bill.
05:15:32 PM  
Landon Pirius, representing the Colorado Community College System, testified in support of the bill.
05:17:16 PM  
Dale Pratt, representing the University of Northern Colorado, testified in support of the bill.
05:20:05 PM  
Emelene Peralta, representing Climb Hire, testified in support of the bill.
05:23:06 PM  
Helen Hayes, representing ActivateWork, testified in support of the bill.
05:29:14 PM  
Josh Ryken, representing CrossPurpose, testified in support of the bill.
05:29:17 PM  
Meghan Dollar, representing the Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill.
05:30:47 PM  
The co-sponsors distributed
and explained amendments L.001, L.002, and L.003 (Attachments C, D, and
E).  They answered questions from the committee about the amendments.

05:33:50 PM  
The committee discussed
amending amendment L.001.  On line 2 striking "may" and
inserting "must, where available,".


05:44:34 PM
Motion Amend prepared amendment L.001, line 2 strike "may" and insert "must, where available,".
Moved Lundeen
Seconded
Baisley
Fields
Kolker
Lundeen
Rich
Marchman
Buckner
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


05:45:04 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001
Moved Lundeen
Seconded
Baisley
Fields
Kolker
Lundeen
Rich
Marchman
Buckner
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
05:46:29 PM  
The co-sponsors explained
amendment L.002 (Attachment D).


05:47:19 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.002
Moved Lundeen
Seconded
Baisley
Fields
Kolker
Lundeen
Rich
Marchman
Buckner
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
05:47:34 PM  
The co-sponsors explained
amendment L003 (Attachment E).


05:51:02 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.003
Moved Lundeen
Seconded
Baisley
Fields
Kolker
Lundeen
Rich
Marchman
Buckner
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
05:51:15 PM  
The co-sponsors answered questions from the committee and provided closing comments on the bill. Committee discussion ensued.


06:07:31 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 23-205, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Lundeen
Seconded
Baisley Yes
Fields Yes
Kolker No
Lundeen Yes
Rich Yes
Marchman Yes
Buckner Yes
Final YES: 6   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


06:07:51 PM   The committee adjourned.