S_ED_2019A 03/21/2019 01:35:27 PM Committee Summary

Senator Todd invited the appointees and reappointee from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to the table.  Angie Paccione, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, introduced the panel: Pardis Mahdavi, Vanecia Kerr, and Stephanie Donner.  The Governor's appointment letter can be found as Attachment A.  The panel took turns telling the committee about their background and about why they would like to serve on the commission.

The panel answered questions from the committee.

Senator Danielson, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-171 which concerns the creation of the Colorado State Apprenticeship Resource Directory. Senator Danielson answered questions from the committee.

The following people testified on the bill:

Sarah Lultschik, representing herself as an apprentice in pipefitting and welding, spoke in support of the bill.

Zach Hermsen, Interim Executive Director of Emily Griffith Technical College, spoke in support of the bill.

Hank Brotzman, reperesenting himself as an apprentice in the pipefitters program, spoke in support of the bill.

The panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Zach Collins, Training Director of the Denver Pipefitters Local 208, spoke in support of the bill.

Pat Teegarden, Legislative Liaison for the the Department of Labor and Employment, came to the table to answer questions from the committee.

Senator Danielson provided closing comments on the bill. Committee discussion ensued.

Mike Feeley, representing the Colorado State University System, spoke in opposition to the bill in its current form.

Jeremy Hueth, Legal Counsel for the University of Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill in its current form.

Dan Satriana, representing the University of Northern Colorado, spoke in opposition to the bill in its current form.

The panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Jamie Ray, representing the Second Chance Center, spoke in support of the bill.

Majid Mohammed, representing himself, spoke in support of the bill.

Annie Freitas, representing Operation Restoration, spoke in support of the bill.  She distributed a handout to the commitee (Attachment H).

The panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Jen Walmer, representing Democrats for Education Reform, spoke in support of the bill.

Jason Hopfer, representing the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), spoke about the bill. He stated that CCCS maintains a neutral position on the bill.

Valerie Schlecht, representing the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, spoke in support of the bill.

Sheri Krieger, representing Americans For Prosperity, spoke in support of the bill.

Jack Regenbogen, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, spoke in support of the bill.

The committee took a brief recess.

The committee came back to order.

The committee asked the three university representatives to come back up to the table. Mr. Hueth, Mr. Feeley, and Mr. Satriana answered questions from the committee. Committee discussion ensued.