S_ED_2023A 02/13/2023 01:42:54 PM Committee Summary

Senator Lundeen and Senator Zenzinger, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-094, which concerns the creation of a task force to report on measures to improve school transportation. They provided opening comments on the bill and distributed and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

The co-sponsors continued to provide opening comments.

Nicholas Martinez, representing Transform Education Now, testified in support of the bill.

Anita Banuelos, representing Transform Education Now, testified in support of the bill.

Gissel and Bobby Salazar, representing their family, testified in support of the bill.

The prior witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Kaycee Headrick, representing Boys & Girls Clubs in Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Brenda Dickhoner, representing Ready Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ousman Ba, representing African Leadership Group, testified in support of the bill.

Jessica Morrison, representing Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative, testified in support of the bill.

The prior panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Jared Gregorio, representing Democrats for Education Reform, testified in support of the bill.

Sarah Swanson, representing Colorado Succeeds, testified in support of the bill.

Angelina Sierra-Sandoval, representing the Colorado League of Charter Schools, testified in support of the bill.

Jason Gaulden, representing Common Sense Institute, testified in a neutral position on the bill. He answered questions from the committee.

Joanna Saenz, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The co-sponsors answered questions from the committee and provided a wrap up.

Senator Lundeen, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-080, which concerns an income tax credit for parental engagement in schools. He provided opening comments on the bill.

Kevin Vick, representing Colorado Education Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Senator Evie Hudak, representing the Colorado Parent Teacher Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Matthew Server, representing Colorado Catholic Conference, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Brenda Dickhoner, representing Ready Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The prior panel of witnesses answered questions from the committee.

Lori Gimelshteyn, representing Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, testified in support of the bill.

Stephanie Hancock, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sharron Penny, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Joanna Rosa-Saenz, representing Joanna Saenz Enterprises, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Lundeen answered questions from the committee and provided closing comments on the bill.

Committee members made closing comments.

Senator Kolker answered questions from the committee.

Autumn Brooks, representing Clear Creek School District Re-1, testified in support of the bill.

Stacey Jenkins, representing the Colorado Department of Law, testified in support of the bill.

Ealasha Vaughner, representing Clayton Early Learning, testified in support of the bill.

Sheriff Tyler Brown, representing County Sheriffs of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Josh Abram, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to answer questions about the fiscal note.

The committee took a brief recess.