House Committee on Education (02/27/2013)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Date:	02/27/2013	ATTENDANCE

Time:	10:07 AM to 12:20 PM	Buckner	X
		Court	*
Place:	SupCt	Everett	X
		Fields	*
This Meeting was called to order by		Holbert	X
	Representative Hamner	Landgraf	X
		Murray	X
This Report was prepared by		Pettersen	X
	Kristen Johnson	Priola	X
		Wilson	X
		Young	X
		Peniston	X
		Hamner	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB13-031 SB13-033		Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to Appropriations

10:07 AM -- Senate Bill 13-031

Representative Hamner, Chair, called the meeting to order and welcomed the committee members and audience. Representative Pettersen, prime sponsor, came to the table and presented Senate Bill 13-031 regarding tuition for dropout recovery programs. Under current law, a school district and a community college may establish a dropout recovery program permitting students who have dropped out of high school, or who are at-risk of dropping out of high school, to complete their high school requirements exclusively at a community college or district junior college. The bill requires that a school district participating in the program pay the student portion of tuition for each class in which the student enrolls. Current law requires that school districts pay only for those courses the student completes.

The following persons testified:

10:10 AM -- Andy Dorsey, President of Front Range Community College (FRCC), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Dorsey discussed the Gateway to College program that is offered at FRCC. He stated that the program allows students who are at-risk of dropping out of high school to come to college to take the courses they need to complete their high school requirements. He explained how the program functions, and described the student population that the program serves. He responded to questions from the committee.

10:21 AM -- Sue-Lin Toussaint, representing Mapleton Public Schools, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Toussaint stated that Mapleton Public Schools partners with FRCC in the Gateway to College program. She stated that, in her district, the program provides an opportunity for students who have dropped out of school to attend college. She stated that if it is important to encourage dropout re-engagement, then there must be an investment made in students has they learn to become successful college students. She responded to questions from the committee.

10:26 AM

Representative Pettersen provided closing comments to the bill.


BILL:	SB13-031
TIME:	10:28:11 AM
MOVED:	Pettersen
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 13-031 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 11-2.
SECONDED:	Buckner
		VOTE
	Buckner	Yes
	Court	Yes
	Everett	No
	Fields	Yes
	Holbert	Yes
	Landgraf	No
	Murray	Yes
	Pettersen	Yes
	Priola	Yes
	Wilson	Yes
	Young	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Hamner	Yes

Final YES: 11 NO: 2 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

10:30 AM -- Senate Bill 13-033

Representative Hamner welcomed Representatives Duran and Williams, co-prime sponsors, to the table to present Senate Bill 13-033, also known as the ASSET bill, which concerns creating an in-state tuition classification at institutions of higher education for students who complete high school in Colorado. The reengrossed bill establishes that, any student who attended high school in the state for at least three years immediately preceding graduation or attaining a general education equivalent degree (GED), and who is admitted to an institution of higher education within one academic year following graduation or attainment of a GED, will be charged in-state tuition rates at institutions of higher education in Colorado. If a student meets all other criteria under the bill, but is not admitted to college within one year following graduation, the student may be classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes as long as the student has been physically present in Colorado for at least 18 months prior to enrolling in college. Students classified as in-state for tuition purposes are eligible to receive College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipends and institutions may also consider these students eligible for institutional or private financial aid programs. Students lacking lawful immigration status must submit an affidavit to the admitting institution stating that the student has applied for lawful presence, or will apply as soon as he or she is eligible to do so.

Representative Duran discussed the executive order signed by President Obama that allows undocumented persons to apply for deferred action from the federal government. She stated that if a deferred action application is approved, it allows the applicant to work in the United States legally.

The following persons testified on the bill:

10:44 AM -- Lieutenant Governor Joseph Garcia, speaking on behalf of himself as the Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education (DHE) and on behalf of Colorado State Governor John Hickenlooper, testified in support of the bill. Lt. Gov. Garcia explained that he knows students who are approaching graduation, that they are talented academically and they are successful students, but that they will be charged out-of-state tuition rates under current law and will not be eligible for financial aid. He said that under these circumstances, very few students are able to attend college. He stated that if there is one unfilled seat, it does not cost taxpayers any additional money to fill that seat with a student who pays in-state tuition rates. He stated that other U.S. states that are traditionally conservative politically have chosen to offer in-state tuition rates to students who are undocumented. He stated that the bill will make Colorado stronger and that the bill has support from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). He stated that these are students that work hard and that their parents came to the U.S. because they wanted a better future for their children, and that a better future is something that all parents want for their children. He responded to questions from the committee.

10:57 AM -- Dr. Stephen Jordan, President of Metropolitan State University of Denver (Metro), testified in support of the bill. Dr. Jordan stated that Metro has supported the ASSET bill since it was first introduced several years ago, and that he is glad to see so many institutions in support of it today. He stated that the bill ensures access and affordability to higher education for all of Colorado's students. He discussed Metro's use of statutory authority to establish a more affordable tuition rate, but stated that the rate was not subsidized. He discussed the student population that Metro serves and stated that students usually have low incomes and are often the sole provider for their families. He discussed the mission of Metro, which is to provide access and affordability to students seeking higher education. Dr. Jordan responded to questions from the committee.

11:06 AM -- Alexa Bailon, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Miss Bailon stated that she believes that all students should have the opportunity to attend higher education institutions and that out-of-state tuition rates are too high for her family to afford. She said that with the ASSET bill, she will be able to pay in-state tuition and work towards her dream of becoming a doctor.

11:08 AM -- Gary Frantz, representing the Colorado School Counselor Association, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the ramifications of not providing in-state tuition and how it impacts the student groups at the school where he serves as a counselor. He stated that all students are impacted by this bill and that for students to be motivated, they need hope that they can achieve their dreams.

11:12 AM -- Chris Bray, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Bray discussed the arguments that have been made in opposition to the bill in the past. He discussed the deferred action executive order issue by President Obama. He stated that he demands that his government spend money wisely and that the state should finish the job of educating the students that the state has already invested in educating through K-12. He stated that these children did not intend to commit a crime and are therefore, not criminals, and that they are being punished for the sins of their fathers.

11:20 AM -- Andy Dorsey, President of Front Range Community College and representing the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), testified in support of the bill. He stated that the bill will lead to economic success for the state and that community college students see an 11 percent return on their degree. He stated that by attending college, students significantly increase their ability to make a position contribution to the state and to the economy. He stated that the bill benefits the culture of the state's colleges.

11:23 AM -- Joy Athanasiou, representing herself as an immigration attorney, testified in support of the bill. She stated that the bill complies with all federal laws and requirements. She discussed the deferred action executive order signed by the President, and stated that not everyone qualifies. She discussed the requirements for deferred action eligibility. She responded to questions from the committee.

11:37 AM -- John Brackney, CEO of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill. He stated that five years ago, the state wrestled with this decisions, but that the world is a whole different place today. He stated that the Chamber believes that the bill is not controversial and that they want to see students graduate and go to college. He stated that the bill provides a human approach and that the bill is not a federal or state issue, but rather, presents a humane way to treat people.

11:41 AM -- Cesiah Guadarrama, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Miss Guadarrama provided background on her experience as a student being denied opportunities that are available to others. She stated that she moved to the U.S. at age six and that she has gone to school in Colorado since the first grade. She discussed her opportunities as an International Bacheloreate student and how she can earn a year's worth of college credits through her coursework in high school. She stated that the bill will allow her to afford college and that there is nothing better she can do than to become an educated woman. She stated that education is the key to success.

11:45 AM -- John Guardino, representing Colorado Mountain College, testified in support of the bill. He distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment A). He stated that the board of trustees at Colorado Mountain College voted unanimously to support the bill. He stated that all who are impacted by this bill will be positively impacted and that the schools throughout Colorado will be positively impacted as well.

13HseEd0227AttachA.pdf

11:50 AM -- Former Colorado State Representative Val Vigil, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Representative Vigil thanked the committee and commented on the atmosphere of the bill hearing. He stated that when he first introduced the bill several years ago, there were 30 or 40 witnesses testifying against it, and that today there is no opposition to the bill. He stated that in the ten years since the bill was introduced, 5000 students would have been impacted and could have gone to college at an affordable tuition rate. He stated that he is on the Board of Trustees at Adams State University, and that the board recently voted to support the bill. He stated that there is a misconception in Colorado that tax credits and incentives bring business to the state, but what really draws businesses is the education level of the workforce.

11:56 AM -- Patrick Pratt, representing the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Pratt stated that the bill is important to the state's continued economic vitality.

11:59 PM

The public testimony phase was closed. There were no persons signed up to testify in opposition to the bill. The sponsors provided closing comments to the bill and the committee members discussed why they support or do not support the bill.


BILL:	SB13-033
TIME:	12:18:25 PM
MOVED:	Court
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 13-033 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 9-4.
SECONDED:	Fields
		VOTE
	Buckner	Yes
	Court	Yes
	Everett	No
	Fields	Yes
	Holbert	No
	Landgraf	No
	Murray	No
	Pettersen	Yes
	Priola	Yes
	Wilson	Yes
	Young	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Hamner	Yes

Final YES: 9 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:20 PM

The committee adjourned.