Date: 04/16/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB15-267

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment F). The motion f
Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment E). The motion f
Refer Senate Bill 15-267 to the Committee on Appro		FAIL
FAIL
PASS



02:33 PM -- SB15-267

The committee came back to order. Senator Marble took over as committee chair. Senator Hill, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 15-267 which is the annual School Finance Act. He discussed the bill's drafting process and fiscal note, budget challenges, the negative factor, and local control. He explained that the bill increases the base per pupil funding amount by 3.8 percent.

The following people testified on the bill:

02:39 PM -- Pam Swanson, Superintendent of Adams County School District 50, spoke about the bill. She explained that she is an advocate for equal opportunity for all students in Colorado. She distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment D). She discussed the demographic make-up of her district, and said that it is important to make sure that under-served families have a voice. She spoke about the challenges of districts with a large population of at-risk students, and discussed the importance of local control and innovation at the district level. Dr. Swanson answered questions from the committee.

15SenateEd0416AttachD.pdf15SenateEd0416AttachD.pdf

02:50 PM -- Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Board (CASB), spoke about the bill and discussed the portions of the bill about which she is concerned.

02:53 PM -- Eric Sutherland, representing himself, spoke about the bill. He told the committee about his concerns with school finance in the state and about unlawful use of Tax Increment Financing.


02:58 PM

There were no more witnesses and Senator Marble closed public testimony. Senator Johnston distributed amendment L.004 (Attachment E) and explained the amendment. Committee discussion ensued.

15SenateEd0416AttachE.pdf15SenateEd0416AttachE.pdf

03:08 PM

The committee continued to discuss amendment L.004 (Attachment E) and the bill.


03:20 PM

The committee continued to discuss the merits of the bill.


03:41 PM

The committee took a brief recess.


03:46 PM

The committee came back to order.
BILL:SB15-267
TIME: 03:47:45 PM
MOVED:Johnston
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment E). The motion failed on a vote of 4-5.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
Yes
Kerr
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
Yes
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


03:48 PM

Senator Johnston distributed amendment L.003 (Attachment F) and explained the amendment. Committee discussed ensued.

15SenateEd0416AttachF.pdf15SenateEd0416AttachF.pdf
BILL:SB15-267
TIME: 03:53:06 PM
MOVED:Johnston
MOTION:Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment F). The motion failed on a vote of 4-5.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
No
Johnston
Yes
Kerr
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
No
Todd
Yes
Woods
No
Marble
No
Hill
No
YES: 4 NO: 5 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


03:57 PM

The committee continued to discuss the bill. Senator Hill gave closing comments and asked for the committee's support.
BILL:SB15-267
TIME: 04:08:58 PM
MOVED:Hill
MOTION:Refer Senate Bill 15-267 to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on a vote of 9-0.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Holbert
Yes
Johnston
Yes
Kerr
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Neville T.
Yes
Todd
Yes
Woods
Yes
Marble
Yes
Hill
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



04:09 PM

The committee adjourned.