Bill Summary for Bill Number SB09-176

Date: 03/12/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-176

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment B). The motion Refer Senate Bill 09-176, as amended, to the Commi	Pass Without Objection PASS

01:44 PM -- Senate Bill 09-176

Senator Spence, sponsor of Senate Bill 09-176, brought the bill back for action only. The bill was originally heard and testimony was taken in committee on February 26, 2009.

Senator Spence reminded the committee and the audience that the bill will include charter schools in the bonding process that other schools go through with their voters. She talked about the number of charter schools in the state and the number of students they serve. Senator Spence explained amendment L.002 (Attachment B), saying it allows charter schools to be represented on long-range planning committees and requires local boards of education to put charter school needs on the school district's priority list. The amendment, she continued, also addresses charter school debt and does not require school districts to prioritize the capital construction plan of a charter school that is on probation.

01:50 PM

The committee discussed the provisions of the amendment around charter schools that are on probation.

01:57 PM

Senator Spence continued her description of the amendment, explaining that it allows a school district to commit funds to charter school capital construction outside of the bonding process. She also explained that the amendment provides that if a charter school loses its charter and can longer operate, the ownership of capital construction financed by bond proceeds reverts to the school district.

01:59 PM

Senator Spence responded to committee questions about the amendment. Senator Spence and Senator King had a conversation about the provisions around prioritization of capital construction plans by the school district.

02:05 PM

Senator Romer commented on federal stimulus dollars for school capital construction, and spoke to the reason for "may" versus "shall" language in the amendment.


BILL:	SB09-176
TIME:	02:09:07 PM
MOVED:	Spence
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment B). 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

02:09 PM

Senator Spence responded to a committee question about who holds the title of property under the language in the bill. Conversation between Senator Spence and Senator Hudak on this issue ensued. Senator Romer weighed in on the conversation as well, providing an example to illustrate the ownership of the property. Senator King provided further clarification to the issue. Committee discussion continued.

02:20 PM

Committee discussion around the ownership and title of capital construction continued.


BILL:	SB09-176
TIME:	02:23:43 PM
MOVED:	Spence
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 09-176, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 7-0 vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Groff	Yes
	Heath	Yes
	Hudak	Yes
	King K.	Yes
	Scheffel	Yes
	Spence	Yes
	Romer	Absent
	Bacon	Yes

Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 1 FINAL ACTION: PASS