Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Date:03/05/2009
ATTENDANCE
Time:01:37 PM to 06:39 PM
Groff
X
Heath
X
Place:SupCt
Hudak
X
King K.
X
This Meeting was called to order by
Scheffel
X
Senator Bacon
Spence
X
Romer
X
This Report was prepared by
Bacon
X
Jennifer Thomsen
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Bills Addressed: Action Taken:
Conf 09-Mesa State College
Conf 09-CollegeInvest
Conf 09-Colorado State University
HB09-1182
HB09-1099
SB09-170
Favorably Refer to the Full Senate
Favorably Refer to the Full Senate
Favorably Refer to the Full Senate
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Referred to the Committee of the Whole
Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:37 PM -- Confirmation of Appointees to the Mesa State College Board of Trustees

Lena Ann Elliott and Douglas Price, appointees to the Mesa State College Board of Trustees, introduced themselves and described their interest in serving on the board. The letter appointing Ms. Elliott and Mr. Price is contained in Attachment A. Their resumes and applications may be viewed at the State Archives.

090305AttachA.pdf

The appointees responded to committee questions and comments.

01:41 PM

Representative Bradford and Senator Penry spoke to the appointees as well.
BILL:Conf 09-Mesa State College
TIME: 01:43:19 PM
MOVED:Heath
MOTION:Moved the confirmations of Lena Ann Elliott and Douglas Price to the Mesa State College Board of Trustees to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation. 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

01:44 PM -- Confirmation of Appointee to the CollegeInvest Board of Directors

Patty Fontneau, appointee to the CollegeInvest Board of Directors, introduced herself and explained why she would like to continue to serve on the board. The letter appointing Ms. Fontneau is contained in Attachment B. Her application and resume may be viewed at the State Archives.

090305AttachB.pdf

Ms. Fontneau responded to committee comments.
BILL:Conf 09-CollegeInvest
TIME: 01:45:40 PM
MOVED:Heath
MOTION:Moved the confirmation of Patty Fontneau to the CollegeInvest Board of Directors to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation. 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

01:46 PM -- Confirmation of Appointee to the Colorado State University System Board of Governors.

Marguerite Salazar, appointee to the Colorado State University System Board of Governors, introduced herself and responded to committee comments. The letter appointing Ms. Salazar is contained in Attachment C. Her application and resume may be viewed at the State Archives.

090305AttachC.pdf
BILL:Conf 09-CSU
TIME: 01:48:14 PM
MOVED:Romer
MOTION:Moved the confirmation of Marguerite Salazar to the Colorado State University Board of Governors to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation. 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



01:49 PM -- House Bill 09-1182

Senator White, sponsor of House Bill 09-1182, presented the bill to the committee. The bill is a Joint Budget Committee (JBC) bill that changes the funding structure of the Division of On-Line Learning in the Department of Education.
BILL:HB09-1182
TIME: 01:51:37 PM
MOVED:Romer
MOTION:Refer House Bill 09-1182 to the Committee of the Whole. 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

01:52 PM -- House Bill 09-1099

Senators Penry, co-prime sponsor of House Bill 09-1099, presented the bill to the committee. The bill makes several changes to the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC), which was created by HB08-1157. It clarifies that the COYAC resides in the Legislative Branch, requires legislative members of the COYAC to designate an organization to act as the custodian of donated moneys, and stipulates what moneys in the COYAC cash fund may be used for.

Senator Romer, co-prime sponsor of the bill, made comments to the bill as well.

The sponsors responded to committee questions.

01:55 PM

The following persons testified:

01:55 PM --
Stephanie Walton, representing the Civic Canopy, testified in support of the bill. She provided a handout containing written testimony to the bill and the annual report of the COYAC (Attachment D).

090305AttachD.pdf


01:58 PM --
Elliot Reaven, representing the COYAC, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Reaven is the chair of the COYAC. He talked about the impact of COYAC on youth members.

Mr. Reaven responded to committee questions and comments.
BILL:HB09-1099
TIME: 02:03:56 PM
MOVED:Spence
MOTION:Refer House Bill 09-1099 to the Committee of the Whole. 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

02:08 PM

The committee took a brief recess.

02:14 PM -- Senate Bill 09-170

Senator Romer, sponsor of Senate Bill 09-170, presented the bill to the committee. Senator Bacon explained that Senator Romer would speak to the strike below amendment (amendment L.001, Attachment E).

090305AttachE.pdf

Senator Romer described his reasons for carrying the bill. He said that the bill, as amended, would not give College Opportunity Fund (COF) moneys to students eligible for in-state tuition under the provisions of the bill and that students would have to be in high school in Colorado for three academic years to be eligible. If students are over 21, he said, under the amendment, they would have to file an application to become a permanent resident.

02:21 PM

Senator Romer said the students who would be eligible under the bill did not choose to come to the U.S. He asked witnesses to testify to amendment L.001 rather than the bill as introduced.


02:23 PM

Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to speak to amendment L.001. Ms. Pelegrin said the amendment lays out the criteria a person would have to meet to be eligible for in-state tuition under the bill. She described provisions of amendment L.001 that state that students eligible under the bill would not be eligible for COF or need-based financial aid. She also described the effective date of the bill under the amendment.

02:28 PM

Senator Romer responded to committee questions, including a question from President Groff about which students will be eligible for in-state tuition under the bill. Senator Bacon said he would like returning veterans to be included in the provisions of the bill. Conversation on this issue between Senator Bacon and Senator Groff ensued, with comments from Senator Romer as well.

02:34 PM

Senator King commented on the cost to educate students, saying there is a difference between in-state tuition and COF and what it costs to educate a student. Senator Romer responded, saying the group of students who would be eligible under the bill is small and would not have an impact on the total cost. Discussion on this topic between Senator Romer and Senator King ensued.


02:38 PM

Senator King said the bill does not provide a pathway to a job for an undocumented person. Senator Romer responded, saying these children did not choose to come, and in many cases are in households where half of the children have documents and half do not. He said the issue is a moral issue. Senator Romer talked about the federal DREAM Act, and said Washington needs to act on immigration. Conversation between Senators King and Romer ensued.

02:45 PM

Senator Heath asked whether students eligible under the bill would have been subject to the CSAP. Senator Romer responded and discussion between the Senators ensued.

02:48 PM

Senator Spence asked how likely it would be for a student to come forward to ask for in-state tuition because of the documentation status of his or her family. Senator Romer responded, saying the desire of the students to better themselves will allow them to take risks.

02:51 PM

Senator Groff said there is an opportunity to create language in the bill to encourage the federal government to fast track these young people to citizenship.

Senator Scheffel asked, with regard to the issue of creating false hope, what is the next step after this bill. Senator Romer responded, talking about other steps that have been taken by the General Assembly and providing the example of dual enrollment legislation. The next step, he said, is passage of the DREAM Act by Congress.







02:55 PM

The following persons testified:

02:56 PM --
Carlos Valverde, representing the Colorado Progressive Coalition, testified in support of the bill. He provided a handout listing select Higher Education Access Alliance members that endorse the bill (Attachment F). He said the education of many promising students comes to a halt after high school because they are unable to continue on to higher education. Mr. Valverde talked about the importance of postsecondary education. He said students addressed in the bill will have to meet the same requirements as other students to get into higher education institutions and he noted that these students will not get COF stipends. Mr. Valverde talked about analysis done in other states that offer in-state tuition to undocumented students.

090305AttachF.pdf

03:01 PM --
Dick Monfort, representing the Board of Trustees of the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Monfort said the board unanimously passed a resolution on tuition equity. Mr. Monfort talked about the incremental cost of teaching an additional student, saying each additional student helps the whole university. He spoke to Senator Spence's earlier comments, saying he thinks students would apply, and he told the committee about undocumented students he had spoken to about this issue, relating their stories. He said most of these students have applied for citizenship. He expressed support for the provisions of the amendment that remove the COF funding for these students.

03:09 PM

The witnesses responded to committee questions.

Senator King asked if a more equitable solution would be to allow all foreign nationals to pay in-state tuition. Mr. Monfort responded, talking about the ways UNC encourages foreign students to come to the school. Conversation between Senator King and Mr. Monfort on this issue ensued. Senator Romer spoke to the issue as well, talking about the possibility of moving to a high tuition/high aid model. Mr. Valverde noted that the parents of undocumented students in Colorado contribute to the Colorado economy.

03:15 PM --
Ana Laura Galvez, a student, testified in support of the bill. She said passing the bill would open doors to many undocumented students. She described her experiences as a student and spoke of her desire to go to college.

03:17 PM --
Cecilia Chavez, a student, testified in support of the bill. She said undocumented students deserve to be a part of the state they have lived in for many years, and said students should not pay for the sins of their parents.

03:19 PM --
Alex Cranberg, chairman of Aspect Energy, testified in support of the bill. He described three reasons to support the bill: business and finance; allowing colleges to maximize their revenue; and equity. Mr. Cranberg said foreign students who have not paid taxes in Colorado are getting a better deal than foreign students who have paid taxes in the state. He said the bill will allow more people to become better educated. He said failure to pass the bill will mean fewer people with a college education, less revenue for colleges, and a better deal for some students than others.


03:26 PM --
Senator Paula Sandoval testified in support of the bill. She said it is an economic issue, a civil rights issue, a human rights issue, and a moral issue. Senator Sandoval talked about past legislation on this topic. She said students with the drive to succeed should be afforded the same opportunity as other students. Senator Sandoval talked about parents who want their children to achieve a better life. She thanked Senator Romer for carrying the bill.

03:31 PM --
Denver City Councilperson Paul Lopez testified in support of the bill. He said the City Council passed a resolution in support of the bill and he expressed support on behalf of Council District 3.

03:32 PM --
Nina Lopez, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill. She said the state could do more to ensure academic success for all students. Ms. Lopez talked about how the Children's Campaign's board came to its position of support on the bill. She said the Children's Campaign advocates for all Colorado children, and the bill is good for Colorado's children. She said the bill does not change who gets into college, it puts these students on equal footing with other students. She talked about the difference postsecondary education makes in people's lives.

03:36 PM --
Isabel Thacker, representing Poudre High School, testified in support of the bill. She said she is representing students as a counselor, and provided some stories of students in her school. She talked about the loss to Colorado of not having these students in the school system here. She spoke to the earlier conversation about false hope.

03:43 PM --
Norma Arroyo, representing the Colorado Congress of Foreign Language Teachers, testified in support of the bill. She said as a teacher she knows that students will give up if they know they will be unable to attend college. Ms. Arroyo related her story as a ten-year-old new to the United States.

03:46 PM --
Rick Duncan, representing the Colorado Veterans' Alliance, testified on the bill. Mr. Duncan said he came to the meeting to oppose the bill, but said he is interested in proposed language that would allow in-state tuition for veterans.

03:49 PM --
Andy Goad, representing himself, testified on the bill. He said veterans are not much different from the students being discussed today. He said he was denied in-state tuition when he returned from active military duty. Mr. Goad said he supports efforts to educate all students in the state, and supports the proposed amendment to allow veterans in-state tuition as well.

Senator Romer said he is open to the amendment, but said it should be worked on for second reading.

03:53 PM --
Steve Hosre, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He said without the amendment regarding veterans, the bill does not offer equity. He talked about the issues faced by veterans who return from active duty miliary in getting in-state tuition.

03:57 PM --
Erik Mayse, representing the Colorado Veterans' Alliance, testified on the bill. He talked about his experiences serving in Iraq and the importance of honoring veterans. He said giving illegal immigrants in-state tuition is a representation of the death of the American spirit. He talked about difficulties he has had getting in-state tuition in Colorado. He said he supports the amendment to allow in-state tuition for veterans.


04:00 PM

Senator Groff thanked the veterans for their service and asked if they had fought with undocumented soldiers. Dave Walsh responded to the question, talking about a friend he served with who was undocumented and obtained citizenship through his service.

Senator Spence said the veterans should not have to piggyback onto Senate Bill 09-170 and should get in-state tuition. Mr. Hosre responded, speaking to the title of the bill "Concerning nondiscrimination in determining the amount paid for higher education." Discussion between the witnesses and Senator Spence ensued. Mr. Goad said he is not opposed to the bill, but wants veterans to have equal standing. Mr. Duncan spoke to the issue as well. Senator Groff noted that the title of the bill allows for the amendment regarding veterans. Mr. Hose talked about House Bill 09-1039, which attempts to address the issue as well. Senator King said there would be wide bipartisan support for giving veterans in-state tuition, but there is not agreement about giving in-state tuition to undocumented students.

04:08 PM --
John Vazquez, representing the Town of Windsor and RE-4 Schools, testified in opposition to the bill. He expressed concerns about the bill, saying that if in-state tuition is afforded, these students should become citizens. He said citizens and residents would be bumped out of higher education programs to make room for students who are undocumented. He said the veterans' issue should be separate from the bill at hand. He said the long-term consequences with regard to competition should be considered.

04:13 PM --
Korey Ricenbaw, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He said he is a veteran, and he expressed opposition to adding veterans to the bill, saying that should be a separate bill. He said the U.S. is a nation of laws, and those laws should be upheld. Mr. Ricenbaw talked about his wife, who is an immigrant and about the experiences of other immigrants. He commented that there is no way of knowing how many students may take advantage of the provisions of the bill. He said the bill sends the wrong message and could choke the system in the state. He expressed strong opposition to adding veterans to the bill.

04:21 PM --
John Tyburczy, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He talked about the importance of assimilation. He explained that he is a teacher, and described his experience studying abroad. He said he holds parents accountable and he holds the governments of some countries accountable for not taking care of their citizens. He talked about issues around mass amnesty.

04:25 PM

Mr. Vazquez said the positions he expressed today are the positions of his constituents. He said entitlements are not the answer, hard work is the answer.

Senator Romer addressed the witnesses. Mr. Ricenbaw responded to Senator Romer's comments.

04:31 PM --
Kent Lazo, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He said the bill is built on three flaws: financial, legal, and moral. He said it is morally wrong to place anyone earlier in line for naturalization in exchange for benefits. Mr. Lazo discussed the potential for addressing the tuition status of veterans.


04:34 PM --
Stan Weekes, representing the Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform, testified in opposition to the bill. He spoke to some of the legal complications he had wondered about, as well as the completion of the fiscal note. He raised concerns about enrollment in vocational programs. He also discussed potential liability issues. He voiced concerns about how this bill could align with existing state laws. Mr. Weeks wondered how students would be able to present the documentation necessary under the law. He said he sees built-in legal conflicts that would have to be resolved in the courts.

04:40 PM --
Eddie Lake, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He said that he believes that veterans should be given the rights authorized in the bill.

04:42 PM --
Eugene Hogan, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. He explained that he is a veteran of three wars. Mr. Hogan said including veterans in the bill is a shameful way of increasing support for the bill. He said the bill rewards illegal immigration. Mr. Hogan said if the bill should pass, it should at least enforce the citizenship provisions.

04:46 PM

The witnesses responded to committee questions and comments. Senator King read a provision of federal law and spoke to a court case in California, quoting from the court decision. Mr. Weeks responded to Senator King's comments, saying the California decision means that all students should be granted in-state tuition status. He commented on litigation costs.

04:52 PM --
Sister Jeannette Kneifel, representing Women Partnering, testified in support of the bill. She said the bill attempts to solve a federal issue at a state level. Sister Jeannette said there is a strong body of research around what happens to bilingual learners and talked about the advantages of being bilingual. She said it is the time for this bill, and that this body of students can make a difference if we allow them the opportunity. She said it is an issue of humanity and making our country and our world better.

04:59 PM

Senator Romer noted the support of archbishops in the state.

04:59 PM --
Lucia Guzman, representing the Human Rights Agency of the City and County of Denver, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Guzman said this conversation has been going on in many states across the nation. She said Mayor Hickenlooper supports the bill, and she talked about city initiatives that support children and their education.

05:02 PM --
Cecelia Bowman, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She said the state is in a severe recession, and expressed concern about lost revenue to the state under the bill. Ms. Bowman said the bill may encourage people in other countries to come here for their children. She said it is wrong to encourage people unless the parents are asked to become citizens as well. She expressed support for a separate bill for veterans.

05:06 PM --
Jan Weipert, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. She related the experience of an employee who was brought to the country illegally by her parents. Ms. Weipert said the bill is not upholding the law and is not acceptable. She said it perpetuates a system that encourages illegals to come into the country.

Senator Spence said House Bill 09-1039, which is in the House Appropriations Committee, would give in-state tuition status to veterans. Mr. Bowman said she is not against immigration, but believes immigrants should come to the country legally.



05:11 PM --
Joyce Rubin, representing Anti-Defimation League, testified in support of the bill. She described the League and its mission. She said the bill focuses on children who have followed all of the rules and who are a part of our community.

05:14 PM --
Dan Daly, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill. He talked about the positive impact of the bill on K-12 education.

Mr. Daly responded to questions from the committee, including a question from Senator Scheffel about offering false hope to students. Mr. Daly responded that Colorado can only solve its part of the problem, and the other part of the problem needs to be solved at another level. Discussion between Mr. Daly and Senator Scheffel on the issue ensued.

05:20 PM --
Bruce Caughey, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), testified in support of the bill. He said the members of CASE expressed unanimous support for the bill. He talked about the importance of preparing all students for postsecondary education.

Mr. Caughey responded to committee questions and comments, including a comment from Senator King about the idea of false hope because the students will have no opportunity for a legal job in the country after they graduate. Committee discussion on the issue of whether students could apply for legal status or citizenship upon reaching the age of majority ensued. Mr. Caughey responded, saying that no human being is worse off by gaining education.

05:26 PM --
Thomas Ogas, representing LARASA, testified in support of the bill. He said false hope is better than no hope at all. He said the bill lays the first brick.

05:29 PM --
Amber Tafoya, representing CLF, testified in support of the bill. She provided examples of what happens when families have to wait a long time to get legal status. Ms. Tafoya talked to other roads to legal status, saying it is not a hopeless road.

05:33 PM

Senator Romer made closing comments to the bill, thanking a number of supporters of the bill. He said the bill, as amended, does not include a taxpayer subsidy. Senator Romer talked about how graduates might gain legal status and citizenship. He talked about the states that have adopted similar laws. He said it is a workforce issue, as well as an issue of humanity.

05:37 PM

Senator Romer responded to committee questions and comments. Senator Spence spoke again of House Bill 09-1039, which she said would offer in-state tuition for veterans. She described the stipulations to in-state status in that bill. Senator Spence commented on the differences between the fiscal notes for the two bills. Senator Romer responded to Senator Spence's comments. Senator Groff spoke to the issue as well.

Senator King said the bill impacts schools with fee-for-service, and he provided some examples of the differences between in- and out-of-state tuition, saying COF does not cover those differences. He said the bill will cost the state between $3 and $5 million. Committee discussion ensued.
BILL:SB09-170
TIME: 05:49:05 PM
MOVED:Romer
MOTION:Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment E). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
Heath
Hudak
King K.
Scheffel
Spence
Romer
Bacon
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection




05:51 PM

Senator King explained amendment L.008 (Attachment G), which allows in-state tuition for all foreign students. Senator Romer said he opposes the amendment because these students do not have families who have paid taxes or who have put down roots in Colorado. Committee discussion of the amendment ensued.
BILL:SB09-170
TIME: 05:57:46 PM
MOVED:King K.
MOTION:Moved amendment L.008 (Attachment G). The motion failed on a 3-5 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
No
Heath
No
Hudak
No
King K.
Yes
Scheffel
Yes
Spence
Yes
Romer
No
Bacon
No
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

090305AttachG.pdf

05:58 PM

Senator King explained amendment L.009 (Attachment H), which he said speaks to the issue faced in California he referred to earlier in the meeting. He said the amendment says all students, in-state and out-of-state, would be charged the same tuition. Committee discussion of the amendment ensued, with Senator Romer expressing opposition to the amendment.
BILL:SB09-170
TIME: 06:03:18 PM
MOVED:King K.
MOTION:Moved amendment L.009 (Attachment H). The motion failed on a 3-5 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
No
Heath
No
Hudak
No
King K.
Yes
Scheffel
Yes
Spence
Yes
Romer
No
Bacon
No
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

090305AttachH.pdf

06:03 PM

Senator King explained amendment L.010 (Attachment I), which he said would require the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) and the governing boards to study tuition revenues under the bill. He said there would be a cost to the state, and the amendment would make the cost transparent. Committee discussion of the amendment ensued.

Senator Hudak asked for a ruling of whether amendment L.010 fits under the title. The committee discussed this issue.
BILL:SB09-170
TIME: 06:10:47 PM
MOVED:King K.
MOTION:Moved amendment L.010 (Attachment I). The motion failed on a 3-5 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
No
Heath
No
Hudak
No
King K.
Yes
Scheffel
Yes
Spence
Yes
Romer
No
Bacon
No
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

090305AttachI.pdf

06:11 PM

Senator King explained amendment L.012 (Attachment J), which he said addresses the issue of false hope. He said the amendment states that to be eligible for the bill a student would make a commitment to volunteer to serve in a branch of the armed services. Committee discussion of the amendment ensued, with Senator Romer expressing opposition.
BILL:SB09-170
TIME: 06:16:45 PM
MOVED:King K.
MOTION:Moved amendment L.012 (Attachment J). The motion failed on a 3-5 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
No
Heath
No
Hudak
No
King K.
Yes
Scheffel
Yes
Spence
Yes
Romer
No
Bacon
No
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

090305AttachJ.pdf

BILL:SB09-170
TIME: 06:17:31 PM
MOVED:King K.
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 09-170, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion failed on a 3-5 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
No
Heath
No
Hudak
No
King K.
Yes
Scheffel
Yes
Spence
Yes
Romer
No
Bacon
No
Not Final YES: 3 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL

6:18 PM

Senator King made final comments to the bill. He expressed concerns about the bill, talking about immigrants who come into the country legally. He said the bill circumvents the process on which the country is built and creates a false hope for kids. Senator Romer responded to Senator King's comments, saying he knows that this committee believes in children and education.

6:23 PM

Senator Hudak made final comments to the bill, saying she appreciates the amendment doing away with the fiscal impact of the bill. She talked about a student who was the valedictorian of a local high school who was unable to go to college in Colorado and she talked about the kids the bill would help.

Senator Heath made final comments to the bill. He talked about giving kids hope and helping kids succeed.

6:28 PM

Senator Spence made final comments to the bill, talking about fairness and how individuals around the world who want to enter the country legally are treated. She talked about her experiences with trying to get the uncles of her adopted grandchild into the country legally. She talked about "creeping amnesty" for undocumented persons.

6:32 PM

Senator Scheffel made final comments to the bill, talking about the failure to disclose to students that there will be a roadblock for them after they go to college under the bill. Senator Romer responded.

Senator Bacon also made final comments on the bill, saying it is appropriate to allow these children as much education as possible. He talked about the economic impact of intellectual capital saying the bill is in the interest of the state.

Senator Romer responded and made closing comments.

6:37 PM

President Groff made final comments to the bill, talking about the connection of the country with the rest of the world and saying that the world is better off for having educated citizens.
BILL:SB09-170
TIME: 06:38:35 PM
MOVED:Romer
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 09-170, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 5-3 vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Groff
Yes
Heath
Yes
Hudak
Yes
King K.
No
Scheffel
No
Spence
No
Romer
Yes
Bacon
Yes
Final YES: 5 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

06:39 PM

The committee adjourned.