Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB05-1024

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Votes:
Action Taken:
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03:32 PM -- House Bill 05-1024 - Concerning the Addition of a State Income Tax Checkoff Program for the Dropout Prevention Activity Grant Program

Representative Solano, prime sponsor, explained House Bill 05-1023 creates the Dropout Prevention Activity Grant Program in the Department of Education to fund before- and after- school arts-based and vocational activity programs for students enrolled in grades six through 12. Representative Solano distributed a chart titled "Dropouts and Unexplained Attrition from the Class of 2003" (Attachment F).

The following persons testified.

03:41 PM -- Mr. Ken Seeley, Colorado Foundation for Families and Children, testified in support of the legislation. Mr. Seeley distributed a report (Attachment G) from the foundation to committee members and commented on some of the statistics in the report. Mr. Seeley discussed the importance of after school programs. These programs act as an incentive for children to stay in school and promote less drug and alcohol use. Mr. Seeley concluded by discussing data on school dropouts and delinquent behavior.

03:50 PM -- Ms. Marjean Drost, representing self, testified in support of the tax checkoff program.

03:54 PM -- Ms. Lucy Trujillo, Project Director, Colorado Foundation for Families and Children, testified in support of the legislation. Ms. Trujillo distributed a handout on the After School Network (Attachment H) and discussed the advantages of after school programs to help keep children in school. One program goal ensures that there are after school programs statewide. Effective after school programs provide opportunities to students that build on student strengths that extend to both academic and social areas.

04:04 PM -- Mr. Bruce Atchison, Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the legislation and distributed two handouts on the campaign to committee members (Attachments I and J). Mr. Atchison commented that only 60 percent of children who start school graduate. He provided the committee with some statistics on school dropout rates.

The bill was taken off the table. The committee will take final action on the measure on February 9, 2005.