Bill Summary for Bill Number SB09-033

Date: 01/29/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-033

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Refer Senate Bill 09-033 to the Committee of the W	PASS

03:38 PM -- Senate Bill 09-033

The committee came back to order.

Senator Sandoval, sponsor of Senate Bill 09-033, presented her bill. The bill adds to the Child Nutrition School Lunch Protection Program created in Senate Bill 08-123 children who are enrolled in state-subsidized preschool offered by public schools, using existing allocations.

03:39 PM

The following persons testified:

03:39 PM -- Jon-Paul Bianchi, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill. He said the bill strengthens a program that provides needed nourishment to poor children who may not have access to healthy meals. Mr. Bianchi said that research shows that hungry children are more prone to chronic illness, stress, and anxiety. He talked about the importance of proper nutrition for young children. He said the expansion of the program is especially important for Colorado, because research shows that the fastest growing population of kids living in extreme poverty is children under the age of five.

Senator Sandoval responded to committee questions about the fiscal impact of the bill and the shifting of moneys from kindergarten through second grade students to preschool students.

03:44 PM -- Leo Lesh, representing the Colorado School Nutrition Association, testified in support of the bill. The Colorado School Nutrition Association provided a fact sheet on the bill (Attachment G). He said there has been a significant increase in the number of preschool students, and said it is important to be able to feed these kids so that they are ready to learn. Mr. Lesh talked about the importance of proper nutrition. He said many students cannot afford the 40 cents that a reduced-price meal costs, particularly in these hard economic times.

Mr. Lesh and Senator Sandoval responded to committee questions.

03:52 PM

Committee discussion about the funding of the program ensued.

03:56 PM

David Porter, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to respond to questions about the fiscal note. Senator Sandoval also responded to questions about what would happen if funding for the program is cut, and she clarified that the money for the program is from the State Education Fund.

03:59 PM

Senator Sandoval made closing remarks to the bill.


BILL:	SB09-033
TIME:	04:00:27 PM
MOVED:	Spence
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 09-033 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 6-0-2 vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Groff	Excused
	Heath	Yes
	Hudak	Yes
	King K.	Yes
	Kopp	Yes
	Spence	Yes
	Romer	Excused
	Bacon	Yes

Final YES: 6 NO: 0 EXC: 2 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS