Date: 01/24/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1008

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment A). The motion
Refer HB 06-1008, as amended, to the Committee on 		Pass Without Objection
PASS



09:41 AM -- Call to Order

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


09:42 AM -- House Bill 06-1008

Representative Massey reviewed the provisions of House Bill 06-1008, concerning reimbursement for supplemental on-line education courses. He discussed the needs faced in rural school districts.


09:44 AM

The following persons testified:

09:44 AM -- Tim Snyder, representing Colorado Online Learning, testified in support of the bill. He reviewed the reasons for bringing the bill, which provides for reimbursement on a per-student basis. It applies to school districts with enrollment below 3,000 students and to charter schools. He said that the bill would not apply to courses taken for college credit. Mr. Snyder responded to questions about potential amendments to the bill. Representative King raised questions about cost differentials for on-line schools.


09:53 AM

Mr. Snyder continued his comments by discussing the usual cost for providing a supplemental on-line course. Representative King discussed potential concerns about providing the extra funding for supplemental courses. Representative Pommer discussed the new requirements for entering four-year institutions and the fact that small school districts may need to offer additional courses in preparing its high school graduates.


09:59 AM

Representative Penry asked Mr. Snyder and Representative Massey about the determination of the 3,000-student threshold. The fiscal impact of the program was discussed. Representative Penry also raised questions about whether the program could be a grant program. Representative Massey reminded the committee that the 3,000-student threshold had been used in other legislation. He also discussed the difficulties that small districts may face in writing grants.



10:04 AM -- Jane Urschel, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, testified in support of the bill. She said that the need in school districts is great and well-documented.


10:07 AM -- Tony Salazar, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill. He discussed the concern about the 3,000-student threshold.


10:11 AM -- Phil Fox, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives, testified in support of the bill.

10:13 AM

Representative Massey moved amendment L.002 (Attachment A). He requested that Mr. Snyder return to the table to discuss the amendment. Representative King raised questions regarding the funding for students who take more than half of their coursework through on-line coursework.

10:19 AM

Vody Herrmann, Colorado Department of Education (CDE), came to the table to explain the difference in the manner in which the state funds students taking a supplemental on-line course versus a student who is enrolled in an on-line program full-time.

10:22 AM

Julie Pelegrin, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to discuss the definitions in amendment L.002. The committee continued to discuss the provisions of the amendment.
BILL:HB06-1008
TIME: 10:25:28 AM
MOVED:Massey
MOTION:Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment A). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:White
VOTE
Benefield
King
Larson
Massey
McKinley
Penry
Pommer
Rose
Solano
Todd
White
Paccione
Merrifield
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:HB06-1008
TIME: 10:27:13 AM
MOVED:Massey
MOTION:Refer HB 06-1008, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. The motion passed on an 11-1-1 roll call vote.
SECONDED:White
VOTE
Benefield
Excused
King
No
Larson
Yes
Massey
Yes
McKinley
Yes
Penry
Yes
Pommer
Yes
Rose
Yes
Solano
Yes
Todd
Yes
White
Yes
Paccione
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Final YES: 11 NO: 1 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




10:28 PM

The committee took a brief recess.