House Committee on Education (04/11/2006)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Date:	04/11/2006	ATTENDANCE

Time:	11:24 AM to 12:02 PM	Benefield	X
		King	*
Place:	HCR 0107	Larson	X
		Massey	X
This Meeting was called to order by		McKinley	X
	Representative Merrifield	Penry	X
		Pommer	*
This Report was prepared by		Rose	X
	Cathy Eslinger	Solano	X
		Todd	*
		White	X
		Paccione	X
		Merrifield	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB06-209		Witness Testimony Only

11:24 AM -- Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the chairman, Representative Merrifield.

11:24 AM -- Senate Bill 06-209

Representative Paccione, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of Senate Bill 06-209, concerning creation of a task force to study Colorado's system of higher education funding, and indicated that there had been discussions over the past interim about studying the financing of higher education. She spoke specifically about what the task force established in the bill would be charged with studying. The task force would report to the General Assembly and specifically to the House and Senate Education Committees. Representative Paccione said she would be discussing an amendment to allow a minority report of the task force.

11:27 AM

Representative Paccione responded to questions about the distribution of higher education funding in other states. Representative Rose commented on information that he would like included in the study. In response to questions, Representative Paccione answered questions about fee-for-service funding, as well as questions about the membership of the task force.

11:34 AM

Representative King asked about the cost assessment provisions in the bill. He indicated concern that there is no common chart of accounts for higher education institutions. There was further discussion of the membership of the task force and whether the membership should include members from outside of the higher education community.

11:42 AM

Representative Paccione commented on the committee's questions and concerns about the membership of the task force. Representative Rose and Representative Massey offered suggested for inclusions on the task force, including representatives of business and industry.

11:46 AM

The following persons testified:

11:46 AM -- Diane Lindner, representing the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), came to the table to respond to questions and to provide information on what data the CCHE currently collects from higher education institutions. She indicated that there is a need for additional data on the fee-for-service contracts established under the Colorado Opportunity Fund Program. Ms. Lindner explained different program cost and data models used by other states and that the CCHE has studied.

11:55 AM -- Darren Adamson, representing the University of Phoenix, testified in favor of the bill. He provided background information on the University of Phoenix and emphasized the importance of having representation from private institutions on the task force.

12:00 PM

Representative Paccione responded to Dr. Adamson's testimony and additional questions from members of the committee. Dr. Adamson was also asked further questions about the status of private institutions in regard to data reporting.

12:02 PM

Representative Merrifield announced that the bill would be laid over until the committee's next meeting. The committee adjourned.