s_sa_2016a_2016-02-01t13:34:00z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/01/2016

01:34 PM -- SB16-023



Senator Kerr presented Senate Bill 16-023 to the committee. The bill expresses the General Assembly's intent to increase finding annually for full-day kindergarten starting in the 2017-18 budget year and continuing through the 2021-22 budget year so that by the 2021-22 budget year, the General Assembly is funding kindergarten students as full-day pupils. Pursuant to Referendum C passed by the voters in 2005, the state is currently authorized to retain and spend up to a capped amount of revenues each year that would otherwise be refunded in accordance with the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. Subject to a vote of the people, the bill authorizes the state to retain and spend all additional excess revenues beginning in the 2016-17 fiscal year. The General Assembly is required to appropriate the additional retained money first to fund kindergarten pupils as full-day pupils and then to fund the state's share of total program funding. The State Treasurer must transfer any amount of remaining additional excess revenues to the state education fund. The Secretary of State is directed to place the question of whether to allow the state to retain excess revenues on the ballot for the 2016 general election.



01:39 PM -- Jennifer Granbery, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



01:42 PM -- Nicole Head, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



01:45 PM -- Elizabeth Mares, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



01:49 PM -- Richard Green, representing himself, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the bill.



01:56 PM -- Debra Williams, representing herself, testified remotely from Colorado Mesa University in support of the bill.



01:59 PM -- Jan DeSautell, representing herself, testified remotely from Adams State University in support of the bill.



02:04 PM -- Dan Snowberger, superintendent of Durango School District 9-R, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.



02:10 PM -- Anne Rhodes, representing herself, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.



02:15 PM -- Gina Preszler, representing Durango School District 9-R, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.



02:19 PM -- Cheryl Clay, representing herself, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.



02:23 PM -- Suzanne Cash, representing Durango School District 9-R, testified remotely from Fort Lewis College in support of the bill.



02:26 PM -- Anna Armijo, representing herself, testified remotely from Trinidad State Junior College in support of the bill.



02:31 PM -- Marsia Ronyak, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:33 PM -- Jonna Levine, representing Colorado PTA, testified in support of the bill.



02:36 PM -- Angela Engel, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:40 PM -- Jennifer Christianson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:43 PM -- Marissa Walters, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:47 PM -- Melissa McBride, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



02:49 PM -- Tanya Kelly Bowery, representing Boulder Valley School District and Superintendent Bruce Messinger, testified in support of the bill.



02:52 PM -- Gloria Higgins, representing Executives Partnering to Invest in Children, testified in support of the bill.





02:56 PM



Senator Kerr wrapped up his presentation to the committee, answered questions, and discussed a conceptual amendment with the committee.





03:16 PM



Senate Bill 16-023 was laid over until later in the meeting.



03:17 PM -- SB16-018 (see Committee Summary for SB16-018)



03:36 PM -- SB16-038 (see Committee Summary for SB16-038)





05:24 PM



Senator Kerr returned and presented written testimony on Senate Bill 16-023 (Attachments F and G) and Amendment L.001 (Attachment H) to the committee and answered questions.



16SenateState0201AttachF.pdf 16Senatestate0201AttachG.pdf



16SenateState0201AttachH.pdf





05:31 PM



Senator Scott laid the bill over and the committee adjourned.