House Committee on Education (04/04/2006)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Date:	04/04/2006	ATTENDANCE

Time:	11:32 AM to 12:41 PM	Benefield	X
		King	X
Place:	HCR 0107	Larson	*
		Massey	*
This Meeting was called to order by		McKinley	X
	Representative Merrifield	Penry	*
		Pommer	*
This Report was prepared by		Rose	X
	Cathy Eslinger	Solano	X
		Todd	X
		White	X
		Paccione	X
		Merrifield	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB06-203 SB06-204 SB06-205		Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to the Committee of the Whole

11:32 AM -- Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by the chairman,

11:32 AM -- Senate Bill 06-203

Representative Madden, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of Senate Bill 06-203, concerning the requirement that the Colorado Commission on Higher Education comply with the "State Administrative Procedure Act." She indicated the reasons for bringing the bill and described the clarifications that the bill would make. The committee discussed the current exemption from the act provided to state institutions of higher education.

11:36 AM

The following persons testified:

11:36 AM -- Dana Waller, representing the American Association of University Professors, testified in support of the bill. She reviewed the provisions and intent of the "State Administrative Procedure Act" and provided information on its federal counterpart as well.

11:39 AM -- Judy Altenberg, representing the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) as a commissioner, testified on the bill and described CCHE's current procedural protections. She testified that the CCHE works collaboratively with the higher education institutions. She responded to questions regarding the opportunities for public comment at the CCHE meetings.


BILL:	SB06-203
TIME:	11:49:19 AM
MOVED:	Paccione
MOTION:	Refer SB06-203 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 10-3 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	King	No
	Larson	No
	Massey	Yes
	McKinley	Yes
	Penry	Yes
	Pommer	Yes
	Rose	No
	Solano	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	White	Yes
	Paccione	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 3 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

11:50 AM -- Senate Bill 06-204

Representative Madden, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of Senate Bill 06-204, concerning appointments to the governing boards of state institutions of higher education. She responded to questions regarding the appointment of gubernatorial-appointed members and confirmation by the Senate. Representative Madden further responded to discussion about balancing qualifications and party affiliation.

11:55 AM

The following persons testified:

11:56 AM -- Myron Hulen, representing the American Association of University Professors, testified in support of the bill. He distributed a packet of letters concerning recent higher education appointments and governing boards (Attachment A). He expressed concern about the lack of faculty input in decision-making and related specific instances on several campuses.

12:02 PM

Dr. Hulen responded to questions from committee members about the examples in the letters he provided. Representative Madden commented on concerns raised by Representative King. Representative Pommer indicated that he feels that the Senate confirmation process provides "checks and balances." Committee discussion continued.

12:12 PM

Dr. Hulen responded to questions about his organization's concern about what it feels is a disregard for faculty on some campuses. The committee discussed the perceptions of the bill and the potential impact of the bill on governing boards and the campus environment.

12:19 PM -- Mark Belkin, representing the American Federation of Teachers - Colorado, testified in support of the bill. He said that the bill may help build trust on the state's campuses. He urged policy and academic leaders to put academic quality and a student-centered approach at the core of decision making.

12:27 PM

Dr. Belkin continued his testimony on the importance, in regard to governing boards, of independence, expertise in higher education, and a partnership with all stakeholders. He responded to questions regarding the criteria set forth in the bill for consideration by the Governor.


BILL:	SB06-204
TIME:	12:32:26 PM
MOVED:	Paccione
MOTION:	Refer SB06-204 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 9-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	McKinley
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	King	No
	Larson	No
	Massey	Yes
	McKinley	Yes
	Penry	Yes
	Pommer	Yes
	Rose	No
	Solano	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	White	No
	Paccione	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:33 PM -- Senate Bill 06-205

Representative Madden, prime sponsor, reviewed the provisions of Senate Bill 06-205, concerning the membership requirements of boards created in the Department of Higher Education.

12:34 PM

The following persons testified:

12:34 PM -- Myron Hulen, representing the American Association of University Professors, testified in support of Senate Bill 06-205. He testified to concerns about problems with implementation of policy when higher education expertise does not exist.

12:35 PM -- Mark Belkin, representing the American Federation of Teachers - Colorado, testified in favor of the bill.


BILL:	SB06-205
TIME:	12:37:44 PM
MOVED:	Paccione
MOTION:	Refer SB06-205 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 13-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:	McKinley
		VOTE
	Benefield	Yes
	King	Yes
	Larson	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	McKinley	Yes
	Penry	Yes
	Pommer	Yes
	Rose	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	White	Yes
	Paccione	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes
Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

12:40 PM

The committee adjourned.