Bill Summary for Bill Number Sunset Review - On-line Learning Advisory Board

Date: 01/14/2009

Final
Sunset Review - On-line Learning Advisory Board

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved that the committee accept the recommendation	PASS

10:10 AM -- Sunset Review - On-line Learning Advisory Board

Saul Larson, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), came to the table to speak to the sunset review of the On-line Learning Advisory Board. The DORA report is contained in Attachment A. Mr. Larson began by providing a brief overview of the sunset process, speaking specifically to the process as it applies to advisory boards.

Mr. Larson provided a brief background of the On-line Learning Advisory Board, explaining its membership and purpose. He explained that the board has fulfilled its statutory duties, and said DORA is recommending that the board be allowed to sunset. Senator Spence commented on the board, and expressed her high regard for its work.

10:15 AM

Senator Hudak asked Pamela Ice to come to the table to describe the Unit of On-line Learning, of which Ms. Ice is the director. Ms. Ice said the advisory board has completed its work as defined in statute, and noted that the statute allows the Commissioner of Education to appoint ad hoc committees to address any issues that might arise in the future. Ms. Ice responded to a question from Senator Hudak about the ad hoc committee that might be formed. She noted that the ad hoc committee might not consist of the same members that were members of the advisory board. Senator Hudak asked Ms. Ice to explain why an ad hoc committee might be necessary. Ms. Ice said the unit values the advice of the advisory committee. Discussion between Senator Hudak and Ms. Ice on this topic ensued. Ms. Ice asked Dr. Barbara Medina, Assistant Commissioner in the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), to speak to Senator Hudak's questions. Dr. Medina did so, saying continuing to seek advice and input from the field is important. The conversation between Dr. Medina and Senator Hudak in this area continued.

10:22 AM

Senators Bacon, Romer, and Kopp commented on the work of the advisory board.


BILL:	Sunset Review - On-line Learning Advisory Board
TIME:	10:22:00 AM
MOVED:	King K.
MOTION:	Moved that the committee accept the recommendation of the Department of Regulatory Agencies to allow the On-line Learning Advisory Board to sunset, and further moved that the committee accept the draft bill related to the recommendation (Attachment B). The motion passed on an 8-0 vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Groff	Yes
	Heath	Yes
	Hudak	Yes
	King K.	Yes
	Kopp	Yes
	Spence	Yes
	Romer	Yes
	Bacon	Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

10:24 AM

Senator Kopp agreed to sponsor the bill repealing the advisory committee (Attachment B). Richard Sweetman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to ask the committee for permission to make technical changes to the bill draft and to list committee members as co-sponsors. In addition, there was discussion about whether the bill requires a safety clause. Mr. Sweetman provided clarification to this issue and the committee directed Mr. Sweetman to include a safety clause on the bill.