Date: 04/29/2013

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB13-214

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 13-214 to the Committee of the WPASS



01:32 PM -- Senate Bill 13-214

Representative Hamner, Chair, welcomed the committee and the audience to the meeting. Representative Hamner discussed the committee schedule, and stated that the committee may hold a meeting on Wednesday, May 1 at upon adjournment, to hear Senate Bill 13-279.

Representative Fischer, prime sponsor, came to the table to present Senate Bill 13-214 which concerns legislative oversight of the funding of P-12 public school capital construction projects that receive funding under the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Act. The bill, which was recommended by the Capital Development Committee (CDC), requires the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Board within the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to ensure that, by June 30 of each year, the balance of the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund (assistance fund) is equal to the total amount of the state share of annual lease payments for the BEST program. The bill also grants the CDC limited oversight of the BEST program. Specifically, the CDC is added to the list of entities required to approve grant awards for preschool through 12th grade capital construction to be financed through lease-purchase agreements. Beginning in FY 2012-13 for the FY 2013-14 grant funding cycle, the bill adds deadlines to the existing review and consideration of capital construction projects in order for the list of projects approved for funding through the use of lease-purchase agreements to be submitted to the CDC for final approval no later than June 25 of each year. The bill also adds to existing reporting requirements and adds the CDC to the list of entities the assistance board is required to report to annually regarding its activities.

The following person testified:

01:37 PM -- Dr. Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), testified in support of the bill. Dr. Urschel stated that the BEST program revitalizes communities all over the state, and that the BEST program is one of CASB's highest legislative priorities.
BILL:SB13-214
TIME: 01:39:50 PM
MOVED:Holbert
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 13-214 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 12-0, with one member excused.
SECONDED:Landgraf
VOTE
Buckner
Yes
Court
Yes
Everett
Yes
Fields
Yes
Holbert
Yes
Landgraf
Yes
Murray
Yes
Pettersen
Excused
Priola
Yes
Wilson
Yes
Young
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Hamner
Yes
Final YES: 12 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS