H_ED_2023A 04/27/2023 09:49:41 AM Committee Summary

Representative Lindsay presented Senate Bill 23-029 to the committee. The bill creates the School Discipline Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding state and local school discipline policies.

Representatives McLachlan and Evans presented Senate Bill 23-249 to the committee. The bill creates the new crime of falsely reporting a mass shooting and expands the crime of falsely reporting an emergency to include when a threat causes a shelter-in-place order.

Matt Cook, representing Colorado Association of School Boar, testified in support of the bill. Mollie Steinemann, representing Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill. Grant Fevurly, representing Department of Law, testified in support of the bill. Joe Michaels, representing Department of Law , testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Wendy Rubin, representing Colorado Association of School Executives, testified in support of the bill. Kevin Vick, representing Colorado Education Association , testified in support of the bill. Director Kevin Klein, representing Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management - Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified in support of the bill.

Sheriff David Lucero, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Bacon distributed and explained amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments A and B). Committee members discussed the amendments. The Chair announced that the bill would be laid over for action later in the meeting.

Representatives Michaelson Jenet and Bradfield presented Senate Bill 23-258 to the committee. The bill consolidates the authority to approve and oversee educator preparation programs under the State Board of Education in the Colorado Department of Education.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee reconvened.

Dr. Robert Fulton, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Chris Rasmussen, representing Colorado Department of Higher Education, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Colleen O'Neil, representing Colorado Department of Education, was available to answer committee questions.

Dr. Lisa Escarcega, representing State Board of Education, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Michaelson Jenet and Bradfield wrapped up their presentation to the committee.

Representatives Lukens and Bradfield presented Senate Bill 23-269, along with a handout (Attachment C). The bill creates a program in the Colorado Department of Early Childhood to provide a one-time bonus payment to providers participating in the Universal Preschool Program. Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment D.

Dawn Odean, representing Colorado Department of Early Childhood, testified in support of the bill. Lauren Corboy, representing Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Lukens and Bradfield wrapped up their presentation to the committee.

The committee reconvened.

Representative Bacon distributed and explained amendment L.004 (Attachment E).

Committee members discussed the bill.

Representatives McLachlan and Kipp presented Senate Bill 23-287 to the committee. This bill is the 2023 School Finance Act that sets funding levels for Colorado’s 178 school districts. It also establishes a task force, modifies the funded pupil count calculation for CSI schools, and modifies several education-related programs. Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment F.

Anna Gerstle, representing Legislative Council Staff, distributed a handout (Attachment G) and responded to committee members' questions.

The fiscal analyst continued to respond to questions from committee members.

Matt Cook, representing Colorado Association of School Boards, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Terry Croy Lewis, representing Colorado Charter School Institute, testified in support of the bill. Bret Miles, representing Colorado Association of School Executives, testified in support of the bill. Angelina Sierra-Sandoval, representing Colorado League of Charter Schools, testified in support of the bill.

Paula McGuire, representing Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented, testified in support of the bill. Leslie Colwell, representing Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.