House Committee on Education (02/16/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Date:	02/16/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:33 PM to 02:30 PM	Baumgardner	X
		Benefield	X
Place:	HCR 0112	Massey	X
		Middleton	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Murray	X
	Representative Merrifield	Peniston	X
		Priola	X
This Report was prepared by		Scanlan	E*
	Katey McGettrick	Schafer S.	E*
		Summers	E*
		Todd	X
		Solano	X
		Merrifield	X
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
JBC Briefing on Budget Supplementals HB09-1229 HB09-1264 HB09-1214		- Referred to the Committee of the Whole Referred to the Committee of the Whole Amended, Referred to the Committee of the Whole

01:34 PM -- JBC Briefing on Budget Supplementals

Representative Pommer, member of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), discussed the budget supplementals for education. He stated that he believes that the budget situation is not temporary, and the recovery will not occur soon. He explained that Senate Bill 09-215 will comprise the largest cut to K-12 education. He also discussed the declining enrollment study, which has been postponed due to the hiring freeze. He also noted the changes that will be recommended for the Long Bill.

01:42 PM

Representative Massey asked about preserving online funding. Representative Pommer explained that because it is a small amount of money, the online funding would not be slated for cuts. Representative Todd asked about the Science and Technology Grant Program. Representative Merrifield asked about the Military Dependent Supplemental, and Representative Pommer explained that those are programs that are being suspended. With that, Representative Pommer's presentation concluded.

01:48 PM -- House Bill 09-1229

Representative J. Kerr, sponsor of House Bill 09-1229, concerning the designation of higher education auxiliary facilities as enterprises, presented his bill and shared a handout with the committee (Attachment A).

01:49 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

01:49 PM -- John Karakoulakis, representing the Department of Higher Education, testified in support of the bill.


BILL:	HB09-1229
TIME:	01:49:42 PM
MOVED:	Massey
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1229 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 13-0 vote.
SECONDED:	Summers
		VOTE
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Priola	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

01:50 PM -- House Bill 09-1264

Representative Benefield, sponsor of House Bill 09-1264, concerning higher education costs for state inmates, presented her bill to the committee.

01:52 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

01:52 PM -- Doug Wilson, representing the State Public Defender and the Colorado Juvenile Justice Commission, testified in support of the bill.

01:54 PM

Representative Solano asked if the bill applies to vocational and technical education, in addition to college-level coursework. Mr. Wilson deferred to Mr. Zavaras of the Department of Corrections to answer the question. Representative Benefield replied that currently, criminal offenders cannot apply for federal or private funding to pay for college coursework. Representative Solano asked if that means there is also money for vocational and technical education. Representative Benefield explained that is does.

01:57 PM -- John Karakoulakis, representing the Department of Higher Education, testified in support of the bill because the department believes providing inmates access to education reduces recidivism.

01:57 PM -- Ari Zavaras, representing the Department of Corrections, testified in support of the bill. He explained that the department is the second largest producer of GED certificates in the state.

01:59 PM

Representative Massey asked about the success of the faith-based programs and whether there would be financial assistance from those programs for education. Mr. Zavaras replied that he was not aware of funding from those groups, and that the faith-based programs are provided on a volunteer basis, but have been very effective. Representative Peniston asked how programs are currently paid for. Mr. Zavaras explained that on an individual basis, inmates have been able to afford education program, if they had personal or family finances available to them. Representative Schafer asked what would happen if a foundation decided it did not want the funding to go to inmates. Mr. Karakoulakis explained that would be the prerogative of the foundation. Representative Todd commented that providing this opportunity to inmates is important because they will eventually be out in the community. Mr. Zavaras replied that it is matter of public safety.


BILL:	HB09-1264
TIME:	02:04:17 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1264 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 13-0 vote.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Priola	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:05 PM -- House Bill 09-1214

Representative Benefield, sponsor of House Bill 09-1214, concerning school district reporting requirements, presented her bill to the committee.

02:07 PM

The following people testified on the bill:

02:07 PM -- Ed Vandertook, representing the Mountain Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) and Colorado BOCES, testified in support of the bill, specifically on the provisions pertaining to the periodic review of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the suspension of reporting requirements on suspended programs.

02:11 PM -- Bruce Caughey, representing the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE), testified in support of the bill because it removes obsolete and duplicative reporting requirements.

02:13 PM

Representative Murray asked Mr. Caughey who sits on the Education Data Advisory Committee (EDAC). Mr. Caughey replied that Mr. Vandertook would be able to answer the question. Mr. Vandertook replied that five school districts, and two BOCES, which includes charter school and special education representation, and Colorado Department of Education (CDE) staff.

02:15 PM -- Scott Groginsky, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill, with the proposed amendments.

02:17 PM -- Dan Maas, representing Littleton Public Schools, testified in support of the bill.

02:19 PM

Representative Middleton asked for clarification on reporting requirements for federal programs, and if the bill could inadvertently affect those reporting requirements. Mr. Maas explained that the federal law supersedes state law, but that the state law could be used to open a discussion with the federal government on reporting. Representative Middleton further asked if EDAC would have the power or would it fall on the State Board. Representative Benefield explained EDAC can provide information to CDE or to the legislature directly.


BILL:	HB09-1214
TIME:	02:22:52 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment B). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Todd
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Benefield
	Massey
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Priola
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1214
TIME:	02:24:00 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.002 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Massey
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Benefield
	Massey
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Priola
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1214
TIME:	02:24:45 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved amendment L.003 (Attachment D). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:	Solano
		VOTE
	Baumgardner
	Benefield
	Massey
	Middleton
	Murray
	Peniston
	Priola
	Scanlan
	Schafer S.
	Summers
	Todd
	Solano
	Merrifield

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	HB09-1214
TIME:	02:28:50 PM
MOVED:	Benefield
MOTION:	Moved to refer House Bill 09-1214, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 13-0 vote.
SECONDED:	Priola
		VOTE
	Baumgardner	Yes
	Benefield	Yes
	Massey	Yes
	Middleton	Yes
	Murray	Yes
	Peniston	Yes
	Priola	Yes
	Scanlan	Yes
	Schafer S.	Yes
	Summers	Yes
	Todd	Yes
	Solano	Yes
	Merrifield	Yes

Final YES: 13 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:30 PM

The committee adjourned.