Bill Summary for Bill Number HB08-1027

Date: 03/19/2008

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB08-1027

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved to refer House Bill 08-1027 to the Committee	PASS

10:50 AM -- House Bill 08-1027

Senator Taylor, prime sponsor, explained the provisions of House Bill 08-1027, concerning building inspection requirements for educational institutions, which was recommended by the Legislative Audit Committee. He shared a handout with committee members (Attachment C).

10:52 AM

The following people testified on the bill:

10:52 AM -- Dick Piper, representing the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, testified on the bill, and shared with committee members a brief history of school construction law. He shared a handout with committee members (Attachment D).

10:56 AM

Mr. Piper continued his comments on the bill, and explained the certification requirements that are being created under the bill and the increased authority given to fire departments under the bill.

10:58 AM

Senator Spence asked if the legislation changes any code requirements for schools. Mr. Piper replied that it does not. Senator Spence asked if the bill changes requirements for charter schools. Mr. Piper explained that charter schools are treated the same as public schools under the law.

11:01 AM

Senator Windels asked Mr. Piper a clarifying question about the certification requirements in the bill and about building requirement standards.

11:04 AM -- Eric Gillespie, representing himself, testified against the bill because he believes that involves too many decisionmakers in the interpretation of the school building code.

11:09 AM

Mr. Gillespie continued his comments on the bill, and explained that since 2000, he believes that there have been no records of building inspections kept. He further stated that he believes the inspection authority would be better housed in a department other than the Division of Oil and Public Safety.

11:16 AM -- Kevin Klein, representing the Division of Fire Safety in the Colorado Department of Public Safety, testified in support of the bill because it provides the division with a more equitable funding source and clarifies the authority of the division to enforce school building code.

11:19 AM

Senator Penry asked Mr. Klein to address the concerns raised by Mr. Gillespie. Mr. Klein explained that he believes that the bill creates more uniformity in enforcing school code.

11:24 AM

Senator Windels asked Mr. Klein clarifying questions about the number of people available to perform the school inspections, and about the enforcement of school building inspection codes.

11:29 AM

Mr. Klein explained that if a municipality adopts a code that is different from what the state has adopted, the state-adopted code preempts the local code. Senator Spence asked the fees being charged for school inspections.

11:35 AM -- Paul Cook, representing the Colorado State Fire Chiefs Association, testified in support of the bill because he believes it brings together all the necessary stakeholders to ensure proper inspection of schools.

11:37 AM -- Becky Baker, representing the Colorado Chapter of the International Code Council, testified in support of the bill because she believes it fosters a good state-local partnership.

11:39 AM -- Gini Pingenot, representing Colorado Counties Inc., testified in support of the bill, and stated that the commissioners are in support of the bill as well.

11:40 AM -- Bruce Caughey, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, and Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Caughey shared with committee members the process under which the bill was developed. Ms. Urschel stated CASB's support of the bill.

11:48 AM

Senator Taylor concluded his remarks on the bill. Senator Tupa excused himself from voting on the bill, pursuant to Senate Rule 17c.


BILL:	HB08-1027
TIME:	11:49:19 AM
MOVED:	Williams
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 08-1027 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a 6-0-1 vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Bacon	Yes
	Kopp	Yes
	Penry	Yes
	Spence	Yes
	Williams	Yes
	Tupa	Excused (pursuant to Senate Rule 17c)
	Windels	Yes
Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS