Date: 04/30/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1369

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved a conceptual amendment on page 4, line 21, i
Moved a substitute motion to postpone House BIll 0
Moved on page 5, line 18, to strike "vote on each
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1369, as amended, to
Pass Without Objection
FAIL
Pass Without Objection
PASS



02:50 PM -- House Bill 09-1369

Representative Weissmann, sponsor of House Bill 09-1369, concerning the higher education leadership search process, presented his bill to the committee. He explained the purpose for bringing forth the bill, and the changes the bill makes to current law.


02:56 PM

Representative Middleton asked questions about the applicant search process, specifically about the lack of diversity among candidates and the lack of inclusion language in the bill. Representative Peniston also asked questions of the sponsor regarding the search committee for selecting candidates.



03:02 PM

Committee discussion ensued about the search committee, with Representative Weissmann noting that the bill codifies existing practices. Representative Schafer asked if it applies to community colleges. Representative Weissmann replied that it does. Representative Middleton returned to the discussion about the search committee. Representative Priola asked about language changes in the bill from "select", "choose", and "appoint" to "elect". Representative Weissmann replied that the change reflects current practices at higher education institutions.


03:10 PM

The following people testified:


03:10 PM --
Jeremy Hueth, representing the University of Colorado (CU), testified against the bill, and outlined CU's concerns with the bill. He shared his experience as legal counsel to CU's presidential search committee. He raised issues of confidentiality for candidates that are not selected, and that the bill could undermine the university's ability to recruit qualified candidates.


03:16 PM

Representative Priola asked if the university was consulted on the drafting of the bill. Mr. Hueth replied that CU was not, and could not say if other universities had been consulted. Representative Benefield asked clarifying questions about voting on candidates at public meetings. Representative Merrifield asked if they vote in public currently. Mr. Hueth responded no.


03:19 PM

Representative Weissmann explained that he would be willing to work on the language to ensure that the voting is kept confidential. Representative Murray asked who is on the current search committee, and how the current search process operates. Representative Middleton asked under what circumstances the committee goes into executive session.


03:24 PM --
Billy Husher, representing AFT Colorado, testified in support of the bill.


03:27 PM

Mr. Husher responded to questions from the committee.


03:30 PM --
Rich Schweigert, representing Colorado State University, testified against the bill.


BILL:HB09-1369
TIME: 03:33:20 PM
MOVED:Middleton
MOTION:Moved a conceptual amendment on page 4, line 21, insert "and diverse" after high-quality, and to make conforming amendments throughout the bill. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Benefield
VOTE
Baumgardner
Benefield
Massey
Middleton
Murray
Peniston
Priola
Scanlan
Schafer S.
Summers
Todd
Solano
Merrifield
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB09-1369
TIME: 03:35:22 PM
MOVED:Benefield
MOTION:Moved on page 5, line 18, to strike "vote on each person interviewed and". The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:Middleton
VOTE
Baumgardner
Benefield
Massey
Middleton
Murray
Peniston
Priola
Scanlan
Schafer S.
Summers
Todd
Solano
Merrifield
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


03:36 PM

Members shared their positions on the bill.


BILL:HB09-1369
TIME: 03:46:25 PM
MOVED:Benefield
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 09-1369, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 8-5-0 vote.
SECONDED:Todd
VOTE
Baumgardner
No
Benefield
Yes
Massey
No
Middleton
Yes
Murray
No
Peniston
Yes
Priola
No
Scanlan
Yes
Schafer S.
Yes
Summers
No
Todd
Yes
Solano
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Final YES: 8 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS


BILL:HB09-1369
TIME: 03:46:44 PM
MOVED:Priola
MOTION:Moved a substitute motion to postpone House BIll 09-1369 indefinitely. The motion failed on a 4-9 vote.
SECONDED:Summers
VOTE
Baumgardner
Yes
Benefield
No
Massey
No
Middleton
No
Murray
Yes
Peniston
No
Priola
Yes
Scanlan
No
Schafer S.
No
Summers
Yes
Todd
No
Solano
No
Merrifield
No
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 9 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL