Date: 04/22/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1290

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer House Bill 09-1290 to the Committee on ApproPASS



09:46 AM -- House Bill 09-1290

Senator Harvey, sponsor of House Bill 09-1290, presented his bill. The bill increases by $150,000 the maximum amount of money that the Colorado Commission on Higher Education can allocate for the purpose of providing tuition assistance to members of the National Guard.


09:47 AM

The following persons testified:


09:47 AM -- Walter Paul, representing the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), testified in support of the bill. He explained that the DMVA, which administers the Colorado National Guard Tuition Fund, has exhausted the fund.


09:50 AM -- Toni Larson, representing Independent Higher Education, testified in opposition to the bill. She expressed concern about the source of the money for the bill, saying it will mean less money is available for need-based financial aid.


09:52 AM -- David Skaggs, Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education (DHE), testified on the bill. He said the DHE and the administration support the bill. Senator Bacon asked Director Skaggs to comment on Ms. Larson's testimony. Director Skaggs also responded to a question from Senator Hudak about the impact of the bill. Senator Romer made comments about the Colorado paradox and asked Director Skaggs to respond. Committee discussion around these issues with Director Skaggs ensued.


09:59 AM

Committee discussion with Director Skaggs continued, with comments from Senator Heath about the challenges in trying to balance aid for all students who need help. Senator Harvey responded to the committee's discussion, talking about the sacrifices of National Guard members. He said many people who join the National Guard do so in order to get tuition assistance to attend school. Senator Romer asked if another funding source can be found for the bill. Director Skaggs responded to Senator Romer's comments, saying the bill went through the Office of State Planning and Budgeting (OSPB) budgeting process. He suggested some other funding sources.


10:04 AM

In response to a question from Senator Heath, Director Skaggs explained how the $150,000 figure was arrived at. Senator Romer suggested laying the bill over until an alternate funding source can be found. Senator Harvey asked that the bill move forward. He said the Governor's Office has already allocated the resources for the bill. Senator Hudak made comments to the bill and to the sacrifices made by members of the National Guard. The committee discussed the overlap between National Guard members and students eligible for need-based aid.




10:10 AM

Committee members expressed their views on the bill. Mr. Paul returned to the table to talk about eligibility for the Colorado National Guard Tuition Fund.
BILL:HB09-1290
TIME: 10:13:32 AM
MOVED:King K.
MOTION:Refer House Bill 09-1290 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on an 8-0 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
Yes
Heath
Yes
Hudak
Yes
King K.
Yes
Scheffel
Yes
Spence
Yes
Romer
Yes
Bacon
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS