7BFAF0D8EC69AD0C8725838C00715EC7 Hearing Summary

Senators Zenzinger and Coram, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-003 which concerns an educator loan forgiveness program to help retain teachers.  The sponsors discussed the need to recruit and retain teachers, especially in rural districts, and provided specifics about the educator loan forgiveness program established by the bill.

Senator Zenzinger answered questions from the committee.  Committee discussion ensued.

The following people testified on the bill:

Michelle Murphy, Executive Director of the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, spoke in support of the bill.  Ms. Murphy answered questions from the committee.

Evie Hudak, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Kevin Vick, representing the Colorado Education Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Robert Mitchell, representing the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, spoke in support of the bill.

Matt Cook, representing the Colorado Association of School Boards and the Colorado Association of School Executives, spoke in support of the bill.

Dale McCall, representing the Colorado Boards of Cooperative Education Services Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Leslie Colwell, representing the Colorado Children's Campaign, spoke in support of the bill. Ms. Colwell answered questions from the committee.

Sue Sava, representing the Public Education and Business Coalition, spoke in support of the bill.

Courtney Allen, representing the Colorado School Counselors Association, spoke in support of the bill.

The co-sponsors distributed and explained Amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

Senator Lundeen distributed and explained amendments L.003 and L.004 (Attachments B and C).  The committee discussed the amendments.  Senator Lundeen agreed to run amendment L.003 (Attachment B) as a floor amendment on second reading.  

Anna Gerstle, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.