S_ED_2017A 04/19/2017 Committee Summary

11:06 AM -- HB17-1176



Senator Hill, chair, called the meeting to order. Senator Sonnenberg, sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1176 which concerns an extension of the employment after retirement limitations for retirees of the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) employed by a rural school district after retirement. The sponsor answered questions from the committee.



The following people testified on the bill:



11:14 AM -- Michelle Murphy, Executive Director of the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, spoke in support of the bill.



11:16 AM -- Bret Miles, Executive Director of the Colorado Northeast Board of Cooperative Education Services, spoke in support of the bill.



11:18 AM -- Kevin Schott, Superintendent of Deer Trail School District, spoke in support of the bill.





































11:26 AM



The preceding three witnesses answered questions from the committee.



11:33 AM -- Greg Smith, Executive Director of Colorado PERA, spoke in opposition to the bill. Mr. Smith answered questions from the committee.



11:46 AM -- Bree Lessa, Superintendent of Schools in La Veta School District, spoke in support of the bill.



11:52 AM -- Matt Cook, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards, spoke in support of the bill.



11:54 AM -- Julie Whitacre, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.





11:57 AM



The preceding three witnesses answered questions from the committee.





12:06 PM



There were no more witnesses and Senator Hill closed public testimony.



12:06 PM -- Josh Abram, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions from the committee.





12:10 PM



Senator Sonnenberg gave closing comments to the bill and answered questions from the committee. Senator Priola distributed amendments L.011 (Attachment A) and L.013 (Attachment B) and explained the amendments. Committee discussion ensued.



17SenateEd0419AttachA.pdf 17SenateEd0419AttachB.pdf

12:31 PM -- HB17-1082



Senator Tate, sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1082 which concerns the clarification that financial assistance under the Building Excellent Schools Today program includes technology grants.



The following person testified on the bill:



12:32 PM -- Amy Redfern, representing CompTIA, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Redfern answered questions from the committee.























































12:35 PM



There were no more witnesses and Senator Hill closed public testimony. Committee members made closing comments on the bill.

12:37 PM -- HB17-1294



Senator Todd, sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1294 which concerns counting a high school student who participates in the Accelerating Students Through Concurrent Enrollment program in the enrolling education entity's high school graduation rate in the school year in which the student completes the high school graduation requirements.



The following people testified on the bill:



12:38 PM -- Jen Walmer, representing Democrats for Education Reform, spoke in support of the bill



12:40 PM -- Kelly Caufield, representing Colorado Succeeds, spoke in support of the bill.



12:42 PM -- Elena Sandoval Lucero, representing the Community College of Aurora, spoke in support of the bill.



12:45 PM -- DJ Werzel, representing Aurora Public Schools, spoke in support of the bill.

























12:45 PM



There were no more witnesses and Senator Hill closed public testimony. Senator Todd gave closing comments to the bill.

12:47 PM



The committee adjourned.