H_ED_2023A 03/23/2023 01:35:10 PM Committee Summary

Representatives Leider and Hamrick presented House Bill 23-1212 to the committee, along with amendment L.001 (Attachment A). The bill creates a pilot program in the Department of Labor and Employment to place apprenticeship navigators in two school districts to increase apprenticeship participation among graduating high school students. Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment B.

Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, responded to committee members' questions.

Representative Hamrick read the testimony of Michelle Zinser, representing Colorado School Counselors Association, in support of the bill. Autumn Brooks, representing Clear Creek School District Re-1, testified in support of the bill. Mark Thompson, representing Southwest Mountain States Regional Council of Carpenters, testified in support of the bill. Kevin Vick, representing Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill.

Vicki Wren, representing Hispanic Contractors of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Craig Pena, representing One Dream, Many Paths, testified in support of the bill. Jason Wardrip, representing Colorado Building & Construction Trades Council, testified in support of the bill. Katherine Keegan, representing Office of the Future of Work, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, was available to answer committee questions.

Representatives Hamrick and Leider wrapped up their presentation on the bill.

Representatives Soper and Marshall presented House Bill 23-1208. For tax years 2023 through 2026, this bill creates a refundable state income tax credit for eligible public school teachers. Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment C.

Angelina Sierra-Sandoval, representing Colorado League of Charter Schools, testified in opposition to the bill. Josephine Castle, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill. Evie Hudak, representing Colorado PTA, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jason Hopfer, representing Douglas County School District, testified in support of the bill. Kevin Vick, representing Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill. Priscilla Shaw Rahn, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Caryn Gibson, representing Delta County School District, testified in support of the bill. Eric Gil, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Wilson distributed and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment D).

Represenative McLachlan ruled amendment L.001 did not fit under the bill's title and was therefore out of order.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee came back to order.

Representative Soper gave a brief introduction and asked that a witness be allowed to testify before beginning his introduction.  Jennifer Mello, representing the Colorado Department of Education, responded to committee members' questions.

Representative Soper introduced House Bill 23-1188.  The bill allows a public school to offer an individualized learning program or become an individualized learning school and establishes requirements for individualized learning. He distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment E), a strike below amendment. Written testimony on the bill is included as Attachment F.

Megan Raynes, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Evie Hudak, representing Colorado PTA, testified in opposition to the bill.

Bill Bethke, representing Vision Charter Academy, testified in support of the bill. Caryn Braddy, representing Vision Charter Academy, testified in support of the bill. Kim Signs, representing Vision Charter Academy, testified in support of the bill. Caryn Gibson, representing Delta County School District, testified in support of the bill.

Lyndall Young, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Kalie Lindsay, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Tammy Nelson, representing Vision Charter Academy, testified in support of the bill.

Representative McLachlan laid the bill over for action later in the meeting.

Representative McLachlan requested that House Bill 23-1177 be postponed indefinitely.

Representative Soper distributed and explained amendment L.004 (Attachment G).

Representative Soper wrapped up his presentation on the bill.